At Ayres Elementary School in Sterling, Colorado, SmartLab Facilitator Kacy Hickman is helping young learners develop skills that extend far beyond STEM concepts. Through collaborative projects, hands-on exploration, and open-ended challenges, students learn how to work together, solve problems, communicate ideas, and embrace failure as part of the learning process.
In this inspiring story, Kacy shares how experiences like designing moon bases inspired by NASA’s Artemis mission encourage students to think creatively, collaborate constructively, and persevere through challenges. By creating a learning environment where it’s okay to make mistakes, SmartLab empowers students to build confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.
