Check out the Bennett Elementary STEM Lab Photo Album HERE
Before the Thanksgiving break, Bennett Elementary students had the chance to learn in a new and exciting way. The TEA Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory spent the week parked behind the school, welcoming all first through fifth-grade classes for engaging, hands-on STEM lessons.
The Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory is a custom-outfitted STEM classroom on wheels, designed to bring engineering, design challenges, and problem-solving experiences directly to schools. TEA launched the program in the 2021–2022 school year to introduce STEM learning to students from kindergarten through eighth grade while also equipping teachers with new ideas, resources, and innovative teaching strategies.
Michelle Rodgers, Literacy Coach and Interventionist at Bennett Elementary, played a key role in bringing the unique experience to campus. After learning about the TEA and Learning Undefeated STEM Lab collaboration through Region 17, she applied last spring for Bennett to be included in the program.
Once the lab arrived, students dove into the curriculum designed by the team at Learning Undefeated, who create a wide range of hands-on lessons tailored to different grade levels. Throughout the week, Bennett students took on creative challenges from building a catapult to deliver a care package and designing a beanstalk strong enough to hold Jack through a windstorm, to experimenting with circuits and constructing a house sturdy enough to hide one of the little pigs from the Big Bad Wolf.
Rodgers said these activities sparked curiosity and confidence among students. Each lesson challenged the students and allowed them to flex their engineering skills.
“Students learned a lot about engineering and that anyone can be an engineer,” said Rodgers. “They had to plan, decide what materials they needed, use their resources, and think outside the box to solve problems together. There was a buzz of excitement in the room!”
In addition to the week of engaging STEM lessons, all Bennett students and families were invited to Family STEM night hosted by the Learning Undefeated team. Around 25 families attended to take part in a Goldilocks and the Three Bears–themed challenge. Families worked together to design and build a chair strong enough to hold a visiting “guest bear,” budgeting materials, and testing their design.
Rodgers explained that the Family STEM Night encourages parents and students to work collaboratively in an interactive and creative space.
"It was incredible to see all the interactions and students learning from their parents,” said Rodgers. “We wanted to give the families time to connect away from the norm. The students were so excited to show their parents what they had been doing at school. It was an outstanding evening.”
The weeklong visit from the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory left a lasting impression on the Bennett Elementary community. Through hands-on experimentation, creative problem-solving, and family collaboration, students experienced STEM learning in a meaningful and memorable way.