Impact of a STEM Mobile Laboratory Initiative of K-12 Students in High Needs Schools

Abstract-It is well known that exposure of young students to authentic STEM experiences can lead to lifelong learning and exploration.One University and one Science Museum located in the northeastern United States have collaborated to develop and implement a mobile STEM laboratory on a 35-foot New Flyer Bus (Model D35LF) with a capacity for 23 individuals per lesson and named it STEM On Wheels.The goal of this project was to bring technical STEM lessons and hands-on experiences to urban high-needs K-12 schools.During the first year pilot (2018-19), the team developed K-12 STEM content lessons that were NGSS aligned and enriched with hands-on activities.The STEM On Wheels bus traveled to local urban K-12 schools where they immersed students in exciting and interactive activities using technology typically not available in most classrooms.Area schools viewed the STEM on Wheels project as a vital partner in their quest to actively engage their K-12 students through hands-on learning.Participating students from all grade levels were positively impacted as they were actively engaged and often inquired about the next STEM bus visit to their school.This case study presents data collected during the initial pilot year of the project.