STEM Learning in Minnesota

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Meet Educational Goals in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Education is committed to improving the lives of all Minnesotans through a collaborative approach to policy-making. The MDE’s current strategic plan prioritizes improving public health, economic recovery, equity and inclusion, and the environment through educational reform. Not only are these goals apparent in school curricula—in the implementation of career pathway programs and wellness committees, for example—but in the ways school services are delivered and made available to students and families. 

One way educators strive to deliver top-quality education to all Minnesota learners is by introducing them to working professionals who can demonstrate the importance of building core academic skills. Educators can use the getSTEM web portal to connect with business owners, innovators, researchers, and other STEM professionals to facilitate speaking engagements, field trips, equipment donations, and more, then build classroom engagements off these interactions.

Experiencing the application of core subjects in the real world helps students understand the tangible value of their education. Engaging with meaningful project-based learning (PBL) and STEM content enables students to identify possible career pathways or become valuable community leaders, committed to solving the issues of tomorrow.

SmartLab Learning In Minnesota

Support All Learners with Project-Based Engagements

SmartLabs provide PBL + STEM learning engagements for students of all ages, abilities, and interests. Through hands-on, minds-on instruction, SmartLab Learning Environments and curriculum contextualize core STEM concepts while aligning with education principles.

• Teaching the Whole Child: SmartLab Learning Environments create space for learners of all backgrounds, lived experiences, and social-emotional needs to build toward solutions together. 

• Supporting Intervention Efforts: By making authentic connections to course content, all SmartLab learners can discover wonder in the classroom. 

• Personalized Learning Engagements: The SmartLab is a place that prioritizes equity. Facilitators are equipped to personalize course content that engages each student—so that, regardless of their process, learners succeed alongside their peers.

Post-Secondary Preparedness: Through hands-on, collaborative problem-solving, SmartLab learners develop next-generation skills including effective communication, critical thinking, and diplomacy.