December 19th 2019 | read it >
Verizon’s Innovative Learning Explorer Lab and Learning Undefeated unveiled their new, interactive mobile learning experience to students at Success Prep at Thurgood Marshall. The Verizon Innovative Learning Explorer Lab represents the Verizon Foundation’s broader efforts and commitment to addressing barriers to digital inclusion across the U.S.
“The Explorer Lab provides students the opportunity to feel successful,” said Stephenie Simmons, a teacher at Success Prep. “Kids are invested in finding solutions to the problem presented to them. As a teacher, I have the opportunity to see this on the bus and leverage this in the classroom as they build their identity as scientists.”
The state-of-the-art bus provides under-resourced, middle school students with critical tech education in a shared and immersive learning experience, allowing them to discover concepts of engineering design. The mobile lab combines movie-quality video, special effects, and hands-on educational gaming to create a unique learning environment that gets kids excited about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) – all right in the school’s parking lot.
While aboard the custom-built motor coach, students experience a 360-degree trip around the solar system followed by a landing on Mars, where they learn to think and make decisions like real engineers through the lens of a specially-designed video game. As they build and pilot their own Mars Rover, students are tasked with running tests with different equipment and utilizing problem-solving skills, collaboration, and teamwork to improve their designs.
“The Explorer Lab is a one-of-a-kind learning experience that combines cutting edge technology with hands-on education for middle school students,” said Janeé Pelletier, Vice President of Communications & Events at Learning Undefeated. “This program empowers students to see themselves in an engineering career by making engineering concepts fun and accessible to students from under-resourced communities. We expect to serve nearly 4,000 New Orleans area middle school students this school year!”
In addition to visiting area schools for the 2019 – 2020 school year, the Innovative Learning Lab will be at Verizon’s Youth Empowerment Day on January 25, 2020. Schools interested in hosting the Explorer Lab should contact Benedetta Naglieri, explorerlab@learningundefeated.org, or call 504.508.0969.
Any media interested in attending an Innovative Learning Lab school session should contact Destinie Hammond at destinie@thespearsgroup.com.
