SmartLab

Strong K-12 STEM education starts with more than a vision. It requires learning experiences that help students build the skills, confidence, and mindset to navigate an ever-changing world. https://hubs.la/Q04t7xkB0 From limited resources and curriculum constraints to educator support and equity challenges, many schools are working to strengthen STEM instruction in ways that are practical, engaging, and accessible for all learners. The good news? Progress doesn't require perfection. When students engage in hands-on, career-connected STEM learning, they develop more than technical knowledge. They build problem-solving skills, resilience, adaptability, creativity, and a STEM identity that helps them see themselves as future innovators, leaders, and changemakers. As a leading STEM education company, SmartLab partners with schools and districts to deliver turnkey STEM programs, curriculum, technology, and learning environments that prepare students not just for future careers, but for whatever challenges and opportunities the future may bring. Explore five common challenges in STEM education and practical strategies schools can use to move forward. Read the blog: https://hubs.la/Q04t7xkB0 #STEMEducation #K12STEMEducation #STEMLearning #STEMIdentity #CareerConnectedLearning #FutureReady #STEMPrograms #HandsOnLearning #EducationInnovation #SmartLab

The most important skill students need for the future isn't coding. It's learning how to think. The future belongs to students who believe they can solve problems, embrace challenges, and add value to the world around them. In this recent episode of the Journey to Purpose podcast, hosted by Philippa (Pippa) Bagley, SmartLab CEO Dr. Jennifer Berry shares how her journey from professional dancer to education leader shapes her belief that resilience, curiosity, communication, and the ability to learn from failure are essential for success in a rapidly changing world. As artificial intelligence continues to transform industries, education must evolve beyond memorization and standardized outcomes. Students need opportunities to ask questions, solve real problems, collaborate with others, and develop the confidence to navigate challenges they have never encountered before. One of the most powerful insights from the conversation is the importance of listening. Meaningful impact begins by understanding the needs of those we serve rather than assuming we already have the answers. The future belongs to learners who are adaptable, collaborative, and comfortable with failure because growth happens when we embrace the learning process. Listen to the full conversation: https://hubs.la/Q04t7pS70 #SmartLab #FutureOfEducation #EducationLeadership #AIinEducation #FutureReady #StudentSuccess #CriticalThinking #ProblemSolving #EducationInnovation #LearningByDoing #WorkforceDevelopment #ProjectBasedLearning

SmartLab is honored to be named the 2026 CODiE Awards Winner for Best STEM Instructional Solution. As a leading STEM education company, this recognition celebrates more than innovation. It celebrates a shared belief that every student deserves the opportunity to discover they belong in STEM, can master rigorous challenges, and understand that their ideas have impact. SmartLab delivers career-connected K-12 STEM education through comprehensive STEM learning solutions that combine hands-on, project-based learning, industry-connected curriculum, advanced technology, and purpose-built learning environments. Students investigate meaningful challenges, design and test solutions, collaborate with peers, and communicate their ideas while building the technical knowledge, durable skills, and STEM identity needed to thrive in an AI-powered world. We are also proud that SmartLab Explorer was recognized as a 2026 CODiE Awards Finalist for Product of the Year, further reflecting our commitment to expanding access to high-quality STEM programs for schools and empowering more students through engaging, career-connected STEM education. This achievement belongs to every educator, facilitator, school and district leader, community partner, and member of the SmartLab team who believes in the limitless potential of every student. Above all, it belongs to the students who inspire us every day. They remind us that the future is shaped by those who ask bold questions, solve meaningful problems, and have the confidence to believe in what they are capable of becoming. Together, we're preparing the next generation of confident problem-solvers, innovators, and future-ready leaders. #CODiEAwards #STEMEducation #K12STEM #STEMEducationCompany #CareerConnectedLearning #HandsOnLearning #ProjectBasedLearning #STEMPrograms #STEMIdentity #FutureReady #WorkforceReadiness #EducationInnovation #EdTech #SmartLab

Great STEM programs don't thrive because of one-time funding. They thrive because of lasting partnerships. At SmartLab, we believe sustainable STEM education is built when schools, community partners, and educators work toward a shared vision for student success. https://hubs.la/Q04t7g0G0   We're incredibly grateful for partners who make that vision possible, including our Strategic Champion Partner, Campos Foundation, led by Marco Campos and Deanna Campos Miller. Their decade-long commitment has helped expand access to career-connected STEM learning across multiple states, impacting more than 32,000 students and creating opportunities that will last for generations.   We're also proud to partner with organizations like The Weld Trust, whose investments continue to strengthen communities by empowering students with the skills and confidence to pursue tomorrow's careers.   Curious how the SmartLab partnership model creates lasting impact for schools, communities, and students? Explore our latest blog to see how strategic partnerships build sustainable STEM programs and stronger workforce pipelines.   Read the blog: https://hubs.la/Q04t7g0G0   #SmartLab #STEMEducation #CommunityPartnerships #CareerConnectedLearning #FutureReady #WorkforceDevelopment #EducationInnovation #K12Education #STEMCareers #ProjectBasedLearning

Connect with SmartLab's Raymond Mitchell, M.Ed. (Senior Vice President of Sales), Carla Nell(Growth Partner) and Phaven Berhe (Growth Partner) at the 2026 Boys & Girls Clubs of America Pacific Leadership Conference in Huntington Beach, CA on September 1-3, 2026. Discover how SmartLab, a leader in STEM education, helps schools create future-ready learning environments through hands-on STEM learning, career-connected experiences, and innovative project-based learning. https://hubs.la/Q04t7gp70 At SmartLab, we believe STEM identity develops when students see themselves as capable problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders. When learners believe, "I belong here, I can tackle complex challenges, and my ideas have value," they build the confidence to pursue opportunities in STEM, technology, and future careers. Explore how project-based STEM education and immersive, applied learning experiences help students strengthen critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and adaptability. Through authentic, career-connected learning, students develop durable skills, AI literacy, and career readiness that prepare them for success in a rapidly evolving workforce. Join the conversation and discover how SmartLab is helping schools reimagine STEM education, empower future-ready learners, and build pathways to tomorrow's careers. https://hubs.la/Q04t7gp70 #SmartLab #MINNDEPENDENT #STEMEducation #STEMEducationCompany #FutureReady #CareerConnectedLearning #HandsOnLearning #FutureOfLearning #EducationInnovation #STEMIdentity #K12Education

Sustainable STEM learning starts with sustainable funding. For many schools and districts, the challenge is not recognizing the value of STEM education. https://lnkd.in/gccmffwj It is finding the funding pathways that make transformational learning experiences possible for every student. In this new SmartLab blog, we explore how educators and district leaders can identify and secure education grants that support long-term STEM implementation, from federal and state opportunities to nonprofit partnerships, corporate giving, and blended funding strategies. As a STEM company, SmartLab works alongside schools to help create future-ready learning environments where students engage in hands-on, project-based STEM learning that inspires curiosity, builds confidence, and prepares learners for careers that continue to evolve, including jobs that do not yet exist. Today’s students need more than content knowledge alone. They need opportunities to think critically, collaborate, solve authentic problems, and connect classroom learning to real-world industries and emerging technologies. Career-connected STEM learning helps students build durable skills while increasing engagement, strengthening academic performance, and creating meaningful pathways to future success. Research continues to show that hands-on, project-based STEM learning environments can improve student engagement, participation, and academic outcomes while helping students see themselves as future innovators, creators, and problem-solvers. This guide explores: ✔ Federal, state, nonprofit, and private STEM funding sources ✔ Strategies for writing stronger grant proposals ✔ Tips for blending and braiding funding streams ✔ Common grant application mistakes to avoid ✔ Long-term sustainability planning for STEM initiatives Discover how strategic funding can help schools expand access to meaningful STEM learning experiences that prepare students for the future of work and life. Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/gccmffwj #STEMEducation #CareerConnectedLearning #FutureReadyLearning #STEMGrants #EducationFunding #ProjectBasedLearning #HandsOnLearning #K12Education #EducationInnovation #STEMLearning #WorkforceDevelopment #CTE #EdLeaders #StudentEngagement #FutureOfWork #SmartLabLearning

Preparing students for an AI-powered future requires more than technical knowledge. It requires the confidence, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills to navigate what comes next. https://hubs.la/Q04t51h70 Dr. Jennifer Berry, CEO of SmartLab, joins Angelina Carleton on the Design Your Legacy podcast for a conversation about STEM education, youth development, workforce readiness, and the role today’s leaders can play in shaping future generations. Dr. Berry explores the power of STEM identity and why the durable skills students develop through hands-on, project-based learning are increasingly essential in a rapidly changing world. She also shares how SmartLab’s integrated STEM learning ecosystem brings together curriculum, hands-on tools and equipment, certified facilitators, customized learning environments, and ongoing support and partnership to create meaningful learning experiences for K–12 students. The conversation explores: 🔹 Building STEM identity through authentic learning experiences 🔹 Developing durable skills for an AI-powered world 🔹 Strengthening critical thinking, discernment, and problem solving 🔹 Creating opportunities for collaboration, communication, and reflection 🔹 Connecting K–12 education with workforce and career readiness 🔹 Engaging businesses and communities as partners in student success 🔹 Building a lasting legacy by investing in the potential of young people The future will demand students who can do more than find answers. It will require young people who can think deeply, ask better questions, collaborate with others, adapt to challenges, and confidently solve real-world problems. Discover the full conversation and explore how purposeful, hands-on STEM learning can help prepare students to lead what comes next. https://hubs.la/Q04t51h70 #SmartLab #STEMEducation #STEMLearning #STEMIdentity #ProjectBasedLearning #CareerConnectedLearning #DurableSkills #ProblemSolving #FutureOfEducation

Recognition like this doesn't happen by chance. SmartLab was named a winner of the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Best of 2025, an honor that recognized educational technology solutions demonstrating measurable impact for schools, educators, and students. What makes this recognition especially meaningful is the criteria behind it. Solutions were evaluated by an expert panel on factors including classroom impact, ease of implementation, interoperability, data privacy, and their ability to support meaningful teaching and learning outcomes. At SmartLab, those are the same standards that guide everything we do. Our integrated STEM learning environments help schools move beyond isolated technology experiences to create engaging, real-world learning opportunities where students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and technical skills that prepare them for future careers. This recognition reflects the work happening every day in SmartLabs across the country, where educators are empowering learners to explore emerging technologies, tackle authentic challenges, and build the durable skills needed for a rapidly evolving world. While this award was presented in 2025, its significance continues today as more schools seek proven solutions that connect STEM learning, career exploration, and future readiness in meaningful ways. Thank you to Tech & Learning for this recognition, and to the educators, school leaders, and students who bring the SmartLab experience to life every day. Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04rzqq90 #SmartLab #STEMEducation #FutureReadyLearning #EducationInnovation #CareerConnectedLearning #EdTech #K12Education

Preparing students for the future takes more than introducing them to new technology. It means creating meaningful learning experiences where students can build confidence, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, collaborate with others, and begin to see themselves as capable contributors in a rapidly changing world. In a recent episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, host Anthony C Taylor speaks with SmartLab CEO Dr. Jennifer Berry about the connection between STEM education, leadership, project-based learning, and preparing students for an AI-powered future. At the heart of the conversation is an important foundation: STEM identity. For students, that means developing the belief: I belong here. I can master rigorous challenges. My ideas have value. Through hands-on, project-based STEM learning, students have opportunities to experience those beliefs for themselves as they create, experiment, make mistakes, collaborate, and solve real-world problems. Dr. Berry also shares why these skills are becoming even more important as artificial intelligence transforms education and the future of work. Students need more than the ability to use AI. They need the critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, discernment, and problem-solving skills to question its answers, apply technology with purpose, and bring their own ideas to the challenges ahead. The conversation also explores STEM career exploration and workforce readiness through SmartLab STEM Identity Day, where industry professionals share the personal experiences that helped them discover where they belonged, what they were capable of, and how their work could make an impact. Those stories can help students connect classroom learning to real-world STEM careers and begin imagining possibilities for their own futures. Explore the full conversation to discover how educators and leaders can create learning environments that empower students to think deeply, embrace challenges, develop future-ready skills, and believe in what they can become. #SmartLab #STEMEducation #ProjectBasedLearning #STEMLearning #STEMIdentity #FutureReadySkills #AIinEducation #CareerConnectedLearning #WorkforceReadiness

We're honored to be named a nominee for the 2026 SmartBrief on EdTech Readers' Choice Awards. This recognition reflects more than an innovative STEM solution. It celebrates SmartLab's mission to help every learner discover their potential through meaningful, hands-on, career-connected STEM education that prepares students for an AI-powered future. As a leading STEM education company, SmartLab partners with schools to create future-ready learning environments where students don't just learn STEM concepts. They engage in hands-on, project-based STEM curriculum that builds confidence, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving while helping them see themselves as capable innovators and future contributors. At the heart of every SmartLab is STEM Identity: the belief that I belong here. I can master rigorous challenges. My ideas have impact. I'm future ready. When students believe in themselves, they unlock possibilities that extend far beyond the classroom. We're grateful to the educators, school leaders, facilitators, partners, and students who inspire us every day and make this recognition possible. Thank you to @SmartBrief and the SmartBrief on EdTech Readers' Choice Awards for this recognition. We're proud to stand alongside so many organizations working to shape the future of teaching and learning. #SmartBrief #EdTech #EducationTechnology #STEMEducation #K12Education #CareerConnectedLearning #ProjectBasedLearning #STEMCurriculum #STEMIdentity #FutureReady #FutureReadyLearners #EducationInnovation #AIinEducation #ReadersChoiceAwards