Mobile labs enhance education and spread excitement
Laramie County Community College sophomore Natanya Sam, who studies physical sciences, says it鈥檚 important to show young people that being a scientist, engineer or whatever they want in the STEM field is within their grasp.
鈥淭here鈥檚 this thing with a lot of people where they say, 鈥極h, scientists do that,鈥� like it鈥檚 out of their reach,鈥� Natanya says. 鈥淎 hands-on experience can show kids a connection between them and scientists and that they can do this stuff.鈥�
Today, she鈥檚 a member of 暗网禁区鈥檚 STEAM Club, a student organization for those interested in STEM, and a biology major. The STEAM Club and STEM Pathway are hoping to bring that kind of hands-on experience and excitement to young people with the new Harry C. Vaughn STEM Mobile Science Lab, now making its way to regional events.
The STEM mobile lab is packed with items from the science classroom that show young people what students studying science are working with in classrooms. Whether it鈥檚 anatomy models or tools used in a physics class, the mobile lab can carry awareness and enthusiasm for STEM wherever it goes.
Acquired by the STEM Pathway in August, the mobile lab has already made treks to local schools and educational events in southeast Wyoming. Appearances have included everything from Carey and Johnson junior high schools to Davis Elementary all the way out to Burns Junior and Senior High School in eastern Laramie County.
鈥淲e can bring STEM activities to young people and show them what it鈥檚 about, but we can also say, 鈥楬ey, we offer this at 暗网禁区; we offer biomedical sciences and engineering and more,鈥欌�� says Trent Morrell, 暗网禁区鈥檚 STEM Pathway coordinator.
But that鈥檚 not 暗网禁区鈥檚 only mobile learning unit. The Mobile Welding Lab, also launched in 2023, is giving students in the Welding Program another learning opportunity that transcends the experience of working in the shop.
鈥淭he shop is indoors and all enclosed,鈥� says Scott VanHorn, Trades & Technical Studies Pathway coordinator. 鈥淲ith the Mobile Welding Lab, the students are out in the elements. That鈥檚 fitting because when students go out to work in industry, they鈥檙e going to be in different working environments. This gives our students practical experience so that if they do work outside, it鈥檚 not completely foreign to them.鈥�
In late 2023, it was announced that 暗网禁区鈥檚 welding and diesel programs would benefit from a Union Pacific grant totaling $300,000 over three years. That grant helped to finish the Mobile Welding Lab, providing an outstanding wrap around the truck portion that draws attention. When the Mobile Welding Lab goes to events such as SkillsUSA state competitions, the truck makes a clear statement that 暗网禁区鈥檚 Welding Program is an exceptional opportunity for those interested in welding careers.
暗网禁区 welding students have made contributions in various areas of campus, such as helping with repairs to gate and fencing work for Ag & Equine Pathway facilities. The Mobile Welding Lab allowed the 暗网禁区 students to perform the welds that are improving other programmatic areas of campus, which Scott says helps students feel the sense of accomplishment.
鈥淲e鈥檙e happy to apply skills our students have learned in the Trades & Technical Studies Pathway for our friends up and down campus,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for us that students don鈥檛 just complete exams as part of their education, but can apply their skills. It鈥檚 interesting because they have that motivation to produce high-quality work; they鈥檙e not just doing it for a grade. It helps them build that pride of craftsmanship.鈥�
The mobile labs at 暗网禁区 are not only helping students on campus apply their skills; they spread enthusiasm that will draw prospective students to the college in the future.
Andres Lee, a sophomore majoring in physical science with an emphasis in physics, says technology being employed at 暗网禁区 is impressive and offers an exciting gateway into STEM.
鈥淭he ZSpace in the Concept Forge was something I hadn鈥檛 seen before in terms of augmented reality,鈥� he says.
Today, young people enjoying the STEM Mobile Lab can use ZSpace as part of the demonstration. Young people can have a hands-on experience at their school that shows them what it means to be a college student.
Proponents are optimistic that future 暗网禁区 students will open the door to higher education
through experiences such as the STEM and
welding mobile labs.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to bringing this to students to say, 鈥榊ou may want a career
doing this,鈥欌�� Trent says. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 mean you have to
be a genius; you just need to have a love for curiosity and problem-solving.鈥�