Student engagement is at levels I have never seen in my 23 years of teaching. Students love the lab and are constantly asking if they can come down in their free time to continue working with Ukits, or Engino, etc. I’ve never been busier as a teacher, but also have never had more fun. It’s encouraged me to gladly take work home and get more proficient in areas such as coding and circuitry. I see myself as a lifelong learner, and this lab not only meets the needs of my students but also fulfills my own growth as a facilitator and person. I appreciate my administration for investing in this lab and appreciate SmartLab for offering such an incredible product!!!
Career & Industry Pathways
Career readiness starts with engagement.
Too many students leave school without a clear path forward. At SmartLab, we change that—by creating hands-on, meaningful learning experiences that spark curiosity, build STEM identity, and connect students to real-world possibilities. Our five-part ecosystem empowers students to see themselves in future careers—starting as early as kindergarten.
More than 40% of high school graduates
are not prepared for traditional college
or for career training.”
When students are engaged, they build the confidence to explore—and the curiosity to keep going. That’s why SmartLab starts with hands-on learning. It captures attention, builds momentum, and helps students see themselves in the work. That connection—to purpose, to possibility—is the foundation of a strong STEM identity.
Hear how engagement helps spark STEM identities early
Connecting Classrooms to Careers
Career & Industry Pathways are the framework behind SmartLab’s approach to career-connected learning. From classrooms to careers—through real-world connections, SmartLab helps students explore the industries and technologies shaping their world. By combining hands-on STEM learning with career-connected experiences, we empower students to discover what’s possible—and see themselves in it.
Agriculture, Natural
Resources, & Energy
Advanced Manufacturing
Construction
& Architecture
Education
& Training
Finance, Business, & Entrepreneurship
Health
Sciences
Media, Arts, & Entertainment
Transportation & Logistics
Every student. Every stage. Every future.
SmartLab programs meet students where they are—guiding them through hands-on, meaningful STEM learning that inspires growth and possibility.
SmartLab Explorer (K–5)
Explorer introduces K–5 students to hands-on challenges that spark curiosity, build foundational skills, and help them start imagining what’s possible in their future.
Harvest Hauler Unit
Harvest Hauler is a hands-on challenge where students build a device to transport small objects, simulating the movement of crops. Through testing and redesign, they explore mechanical systems, measurement, and real-world problem-solving.
Industry: Agriculture,
Natural Resources and Energy
Integrated STEM Application:
Robotics and Control Technology
SmartLab Pathfinder (6-8)
Pathfinder challenges middle school students to take on real-world problems, explore their strengths, and begin to see how STEM connects to their future—all while building collaboration, critical thinking, and
self-belief.
Community Connections Unit
Community Connections invites students to explore how technology and design can solve real-world problems in their local area. Through research, planning, and prototyping, they develop solutions that strengthen community well-being and engagement.
Industry: Construction
and Architecture
Integrated STEM Application:
Modeling and Design
SmartLab Spark (K–12)
Spark introduces students to hands-on tools and creative technologies that excite, engage, and invite exploration. It’s a flexible way to fuel curiosity, spark new interests, and open the door to deeper learning—all through joyful, low-barrier experiences.
Home Energy Audit
Home Energy Audit engages students in exploring how energy is used—and often wasted—at home. Through hands-on activities and real-world analysis, students identify inefficiencies and suggest practical solutions. The unit builds knowledge in environmental science and data literacy while encouraging critical thinking about sustainability.
Area of Exploration:
Environmental Technology
From Curiosity to Capability
SmartLab gives students the tools to explore, the space to collaborate, and the confidence to grow—building durable skills they’ll carry into every future challenge. Whether they’re solving problems with a team, presenting their ideas, or learning from mistakes, students are practicing the mindsets that matter: resilience, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. Along the way, they begin to see themselves as problem-solvers, creators, and future STEM leaders—building not just skills, but a lasting sense of identity and possibility.
The result? Students walk away saying: I belong here. I can do this. I add value. I’m future-ready.
Communication
Communication
Learners should understand that using various communication methods tailored to different audiences fosters effective and meaningful sharing of STEM knowledge and discoveries.
Collaboration
Collaboration
Learners should understand that effective collaboration leverages the strengths of diverse groups, fosters mutual respect, and creates optimized outcomes that reflect shared goals.
Design Process
Design Process
Learners should understand that iterative steps guide the creation of effective and innovative strategiesto evaluate and refine ideas, improve existing designs, and solve real-world problems.
Research Design
Research Design
Learners should understand that professionals apply scientific inquiry and methods to analyze natural systems, make and test predictions about them, and use data and observations to address challenges.
Tools of Knowledge Construction
Tools of Knowledge Construction
Learners should understand that the acquisition of new knowledge, connection to prior knowledge, and critical and creative thinking can be enhanced with effective use of technology and tools.
Computational Thinking
Computational Thinking
Learners should understand that abstraction, decomposition, pattern recognition, and algorithmic thinking can be used to understand and solve real-world problems.
Systems Thinking
Systems Thinking
Learners should understand that whole systems are made up of interconnected and interdependent parts that influence each other.
Mathematical Concepts
Mathematical Concepts
Learners should understand that mathematical knowledge can be applied through reasoning, modeling, and analysis to reveal patterns, understand relationships, and improve processes in complex systems.
Natural Systems
Natural Systems
Learners should understand that natural systems are interconnected, dynamic, and self-regulating, maintaining balance through complex interactions between components.
AI Literacy
AI Literacy
Learners should understand that AI systems are embedded into our everyday lives, making it essential to understand associated ethics, benefits, and potential risks.
Ethics
Ethics
Learners should understand that solutions to real-world problems should consider short- and long-term trade-offs, sustainability, and stakeholder impact.
Digital Citizenship
Digital Citizenship
Learners should understand that digital literacy allows for benefits of the interconnected world; however, it comes with responsibilities and opportunities that should be leveraged in a safe, legal, and ethical way.
Persistence
Persistence
Learners should understand that when approached with a growth mindset, failures provide valuable insights and opportunities to expand understanding, which can be applied to solve real-world problems.
Data Literacy
Data Literacy
Learners should understand that data collection and interpretation allows for the extraction of meaninful insights and data-driven decision making.
Lifelong Learning
Lifelong Learning
Learners should understand that embracing a mindset of lifelong learning empowers us to adapt to change, stay relevant, and make meaningful contributions throughout our lives.
These skills shape how students think, work, and grow across every grade level.
These skills shape how students think, work, and grow across every grade level.
When students see themselves in the work, everything changes.
Students take on real challenges, solve meaningful problems, and create with purpose. They discover what they’re good at, what they care about, and where they might go next. When their ideas are valued and their voice is heard, they begin to see themselves as learners, leaders, and future contributors in STEM and beyond.
Inspired? See how to bring career-connected learning to your school
See how career-connected learning empowers students
Ready to Build Career Connections?
Whether you’re building a K–8 STEM pipeline or expanding existing CTE efforts, SmartLab helps you make career-connected learning tangible—and sustainable. Let’s talk about how to bring these opportunities to your students.
What Educators Say
“SmartLab Learning’s turnkey solutions allowed us to move quickly to implement a district-wide STEM program…the SmartLab Learning solutions plus the professional development allowed our students to be actively engaged in project-based learning immediately.”
“We are able to work with our students to get them career and college ready, and we do that K-12. SmartLabs help by getting students’ hands on projects and activities, getting them working with partners in the classroom, and getting them building something they would’ve never have imagined they could build…it’s actually shown our community what our students are capable of.”
“In our SmartLab, students become empowered and engaged as they use critical thinking, curiosity, and collaboration to apply content standards. I have yet to meet a student who doesn’t love this class or
benefit from this connected approach to learning.”
Success in Action
Districts across the country use SmartLab to strengthen engagement, improve performance, and empower students.
Explore how different communities are making it work.
Video
Ready to transform learning in your school?
Together, we’ll bring the SmartLab ecosystem to your school. Students will engage deeply in STEM, take on real-world challenges, and build the skills for lifelong learning, leadership, and career readiness.
