For SmartLab Facilitator Kacy Hickman, the most meaningful moments happen when students realize they’re capable of figuring things out on their own. Whether they’re engineering floating boats, experimenting with magnets, designing moon bases, or building creative inventions from cardboard boxes, students experience the excitement of discovery through hands-on exploration and problem-solving.
In this inspiring story from Ayres Elementary School in Sterling, Colorado, Kacy shares how curiosity-driven learning sparks confidence, creativity, and collaboration in young learners. From joyful “Oh, I got it!” moments to students connecting STEM concepts to the world around them, this is what happens when learning becomes an adventure fueled by imagination and possibility.
