Mobile STEM lab brings hands-on learning to students

August 15, 2024

Ryan Hodges,

SCOTTS HILL, Tenn. — Henderson County Schools parked their brand new SIM-V trailer outside of Scotts Hill Elementary School Thursday morning.

This vehicle gives students of Henderson County many new ways to learn new skills in a creative and fun way.

“So what we’re trying to do here with this is to give our students hands-on experiences that kind of give them a love for those things, so that as they progress throughout their educational career, they will choose careers and feel confident,” said career technology advisor Pam Ujcich.

We are seeing many school systems starting to adapt to having this opportunity of hands-on learning.

This is not just so that the students can have fun. On top of all of the fun they have, it can be very beneficial compared to traditional learning.

“It changes learning completely,” said Lexington High School Principal Brandon Rainey. “When our students get to actually put their hands on a project, you can see the light bulbs go off. Even for high school students, we see that. It just makes the facilitation of learning that much better.”

This is being funded by a grant, however, the school system is using that grant money for other things as well.

These other things not only tie into the new SIM-V vehicle, but also prepare students for their future.

“One of the other things we have done with our ISM grant is we have added career coaches for our middle school area,” Ujcich said. “So our career coaches are coming in and doing things like YouScience, aptitudes and interest inventories, and then doing career exploration with our 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.”