Improving Access to Hands-on STEM Education using a Mobile Laboratory

Schools often have limited resources to devote to science education, which can impact student interest in and preparedness for careers in STEM. Seattle Children’s Research Institute created the Science Adventure Lab, a mobile laboratory program, to support and enrich science education at low-resource schools and stimulate interest in science and pursuing a career in STEM. The mobile laboratory provides students with the unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in authentic, hands-on science learning with scientists. This limits the burden on school resources and reduces disruptions to daily schedules since students do not leave their schools. These positive science experiences at an early age allow students to learn important science concepts and have the potential to significantly impact students’ interest in pursuing STEM careers. In this report we describe our mobile laboratory, operating model, and curriculum, as well as the positive impacts, strengths, and challenges of the approach as a resource for other groups who may wish to use a similar strategy for STEM education outreach in their communities