STEM Education grades 6-9

Take STEM education to the next level with College & Career Ready Labs™. Engage students in an authentic problem-based learning experience as they discover their interests and aptitudes, along the pathway to postsecondary success.

Student learning about Robotics

"The students that have gone through our STEM labs, come to the high schools with the ability to think quicker, to solve problems, and to engage in conversations about the content."

- Dr. Carter Davidson
Director of STEM Research and Development
Alhambra ESD

Available in 31 Curriculum Areas
Customizable Content
Flexible 10-Day Schedule
Hands-on Projects
Available on Any Device, Any Time
Two-Person Teams
Career Exploration
Design Briefs

Students learning about Electricity

Student learning about rockets

"The program really lends itself to explain, with hands-on and innovation, integrity and creativity, things that students would not necessarily have had any kind of experience with in a traditional classroom."

- Lisa Ogan
Principal
Cerro Villa Middle School

"My son loved the class so much and talked about it every day he came home from school. He's now at the University of Pittsburgh, in an engineering program, and I think it's really the result of how much he enjoyed the experiments in this lab, in middle school."

- Jen Schwartz

Curriculum Options:

Alternative Energy

Wind turbines • mathematics • calculating voltage output • solar panels • photovoltaic processes • hydrogen fuel cell cars • alternative energy sources • solar cookers • career planning

Stock No. 72-5070

Audio Communications

Sound waves • sound transmission • analog vs. digital • radio broadcasting • news broadcasting • commercials • digital editing • sound effects • recording • production • podcasts • career planning

Stock No. 72-3538

Computer Aided Drafting (CAD)

CAD systems • coordinates • drawing & editing lines • drawing circles & arcs • isometric drawings • multiview drawings • scale drawings • symbols • hand sketches • floor plans • project planning

Stock No. 72-3542

Computer Graphics & Animation

Computer graphic systems • stop motion animation • the design process • adding titles & credits • adding audio • logos, icons & symbols • technical drawings • Moviestorm • multimedia • virtual reality • production • career planning

Stock No. 72-3548

Design & Marketing (NEW)

Elements and principles of design • design vs. marketing • design & selling psychology • color theory in design • interior design • concept walls • design in fashion • economics • marketing vs. advertising • market research principles • demand analysis • marketing strategies • product design • pricing & distribution • advertising strategies • global marketing • career planning

Stock No. 72-5501

Digital Manufacturing

3D printing • numbering systems • CNC • FDM Technology • 3D coordinate programming • the design process • prototyping • 3D printing application & exploration • career planning

Stock No. 72-3595

Digital Music

History of sound & recorded music • analog vs. digital • MIDI controllers • Mixcraft • virtual instruments • recording multiple tracks • loop mode • sound effects • sampling in digital music • career planning

Stock No. 72-3550

Electricity & Electronics

Electrical systems & components • resistance & continuity • magnetism • electromagnetism • potentiometers • DC series circuits • DC parallel circuits • Ohm’s Law • motors, generators & switches • career planning

Stock No. 72-3552

Energy & Power

Stirling Engines • forms of energy & conversions • engine systems • ignition systems • distance calculations • Mousetrap Racers • alternative power sources • mass, force & friction • career planning

Stock No. 72-3554

Environment & Ecology

Observing plant growth • energy systems • environmental impact • composition & characteristics of soil • soil nutrient cycles • pH testing • water & soil sample testing • packaging materials • the three Rs • career planning

Stock No. 72-3556

Flight Technology

History & future of rocketry/ flight systems • space exploration • aerodynamics • rocket design, construction & launching • center of gravity • flight technologies • principles of flight • career planning

Stock No. 72-3558

Forensic Science

Investigating crimes • digital microscopes • fiber types • investigating fibers & soil samples • trace evidence • ink chromatography • lift latent fingerprints • chain of custody • composite drawings • DNA evidence • career planning

Stock No. 72-5068

Home Maintenance Fundamentals (NEW)

Tools, terminology & safety • measurements • interior & exterior maintenance • basic repairs • prep & painting techniques • carpentry basics • home safety checklist • plumbing, electrical & HVAC basics • improving home efficiency • career planning

Stock No. 72-5504

HOME MAINTENANCE SYSTEMS (NEW)

Tools, terminology & safety • measurements •
plumbing • electrical • HVAC • energy efficiency •
estimation & budgeting • smart home technology •
home automation & security • weatherization

Stock No. 72-5526

Hospitality & Tourism Management (NEW)

Tourism geography • customer service • business math • hospitality law • accounting • convention marketing • hotel reservation systems • industry sectors • management • travel agent • economics • operations • safety, sanitation & emergency procedures • event planning • career planning

Stock No. 72-5505

Intro to Child Development (NEW)

Child development theories • principles of growth & development • newborns, toddlers, preschool & school-aged children • cognitive development • social-cultural influences • special needs • employment settings & qualifications • safety & sanitation procedures • staff & family relations • ethical & legal responsibilities • career planning

Stock No. 72-5506

Intro to Computer Science (NEW)

What is computer science? • history of computers • how computers work • information & data • binary numbers • logic statements & truth tables • software vs. hardware • the internet • basic programming • app design • web development • computational thinking • cybersecurity • ethics & societal impacts • career planning

Stock No. 72-5507

Intro to Culinary Arts (NEW)

Kitchen and food safety • kitchen tools and equipment • understanding recipes • measurement • food costing • plate presentation & garnishing • cooking methods • roles in a restaurant • front of house • back of house • restaurant types • menu planning • laws & regulations • customer service • green practices • sustainability • career planning

Stock No. 72-5500

Intro to Engineering & Design (NEW)

What is engineering? • history & innovation • design notebook • functions & disciplines • the design process • critical design review • technical communication • reverse engineering • spatial reasoning • ethics & case studies • societal impacts • career planning

Stock No. 72-5528

Intro to Health Science Careers (NEW)

What is healthcare? • health science career pathways: biotechnology research & development • diagnostics • health informatics • support services • therapeutic services • environment health & safety • communication skills • employability skills • teamwork • legal responsibilities • ethics • healthcare systems

Stock No. 86-0550

Laser Technology

Laser light distribution • laser applications in industry & communication operations • refraction • laser innovations • laser sound transmission • internal reflection • mirrors • reflecting light & beam divergence • fiber optics • career planning

Stock No. 72-3562

Lifetime Nutrition & Wellness (NEW)

Wellness wheel assessment • physical wellness • intellectual wellness • occupational wellness • financial wellness • environmental wellness • spiritual wellness • nutrition & wellness connection • career cluster survey • volunteering • career planning

Stock No. 72-5502

Materials Processing

Safety procedures • manufacturing processes • injection molding • the design process • personal tool design • natural vs. manufactured materials • mold, cut & finish product designs • design & crafting using metal, wood & plastics • career planning

Stock No. 72-3564

Mechanisms

Mechanical systems • mechanical advantage • simple machines • classes of levers • gear trains & speed change • changing the direction of force • gear ratios • multiple speed reduction • sprocket & chains • friction reduction • impact of mechanical systems on technology • career planning

Stock No. 72-3566

Personal Finance (NEW)

Money & income • fixed vs. variable expenses • budgeting • goal setting • employment • wages & benefits • banking basics • roles within a bank • money management • lending • interest • risk management • insurance • personal vs. business taxes • financial planning • emergency funds • financial portfolios • savings & investments • the global economy & market • career planning

Stock No. 72-5503

Pneumatics

Principles of pneumatics • pressure & fluid power • Pascal’s Law • pneumatic graphic symbols • measuring & controlling airflow • cylinders • force, pressure & area • pneumatic applications in industrial environments • pros & cons of pneumatic systems • career planning

Stock No. 72-3568

Research & Development

Sketch, design & construct CO2 powered racers • specifications • force, mass, drag, turbulence & friction • thumbnail sketches & rough sketches • final designs & prototyping • the design process • weight, aerodynamics & alignment • vehicle safety & testing • digitally timed raceways • career planning

Stock No. 72-3570

Robotics

Lego Mindstorm • EV3 robot • robotic systems • programming robots • calculating wheel circumference • measuring distances • robot components • sensors • coordinate mapping • time vs. power • programming fields • career planning

Stock No. 72-3572

Structural Engineering

Structural systems • beam design, construction & testing • truss design, construction & testing • the design process • tension, compression, torsion, & shear • bridge designs • structural testing • career planning

Stock No. 72-3574

Video Production

History & future of video production • the design process • advertising research • green screen technology • storyboards & scripts • video production • assembling • editing • transitions • titles • sound effects • commercials • career planning

Stock No. 72-3576

Virtual Architecture

Architectural history • scale drawings • CAD program • floor plans • interior & exterior designs • landscape designs • sketching furniture • blueprints • virtual space • symbols • color schemes • career planning

Stock No. 72-3578