PBL + STEM/STEAM Learning in Colorado

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Meet Educational Goals in Colorado

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) envisions a state where every student graduates ready for college, careers, and civic responsibility. To bring this vision to life, the CDE’s strategic plan supports districts and schools as they:

• Increase student engagement by fostering safe, supportive learning environments
• Accelerate student outcomes, ensuring that every graduate has work-based learning experiences
• Strengthen the educator workforce by improving teacher retention and preparation 

In the classroom, these goals come to life when a disengaged student finds their footing through a hands-on engineering challenge, or when a high schooler connects a community project to a future career in Colorado’s aerospace or energy sectors.

SmartLab learning environments are designed to serve entire school ecosystems by connecting core STEM concepts to real-life applications.

STEM LEARNING IN COLORADO

Where Educational Goals Meet Real-World Learning

The CDE’s strategic priorities address student engagement, literacy, and post-secondary readiness. SmartLab learning environments align with these goals for school communities by supporting both the academic and social-emotional needs of all students and educators through collaborative programming and ongoing professional development.

• Authentic Learning Engagements: Nearly every educator has heard, “Why do we need to learn this?” In the SmartLab, students of all abilities grow to understand why and how core STEM concepts matter. | See Details
• Building 21st Century Skills: Essential life skills like critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and time management are built into every SmartLab learning engagement. | See Details
• Teaching the Whole Child: Students are more than their grades. Besides reinforcing core academic concepts, SmartLabs encourages and enables all students to connect their education to the world around them. | See Details
• Ongoing Facilitator Training: Educators and SmartLab facilitators are prepared to guide students through learning engagements on day one and can access resources and support whenever they need them. | See Details

SMARTLAB STANDARDS ALIGNMENT

Prepare All Learners for Academic Success

SmartLab learning environments are in close alignment with the following state-specific and nationwide standards:

• Colorado Academic Standards for Mathematics: Incorporating the Common Core State Standards while maintaining elements, such as the integration of Colorado Essential Skills, SmartLab learners apply mathematical concepts to solve problems. | See Details

• Colorado Academic Standards in Science: Colorado’s science standards emphasize a three-dimensional approach to learning, and SmartLab’s project-based engagements bring them to life in the classroom.| See Details
• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Standards: Empowered with access to innovative tools—and the agency to explore their applications—students grow into their roles as digital citizens. | See Details