About STEMLabs

STEMLabs 

A place where students design, build, and test solutions to authentic problems

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF STEMLabs

• There is often no one solution to the problem.  The solution may be constrained by factors such as time, budget, and available tools and materials.
• Failure is fairly common and part of the design process.
• This process will involve students using a wide range of tools and materials such as:
• Soldering irons
• Mutltimeters
• Microcontrollers, sensors and other components
• 3D design software and 3D printers
• Plastic, metal (copper, bronze, iron), wood filament
• Basic hand tools
• Glue guns
• Recyclable materials (plastics, foam, cardboard)
• PVC pipe and connectors

ORGANIZING YOUR STEMLab

The basic physical setup for a STEMLab is fairly simple; a room with tables and storage shelves. How the tools and materials in that lab are organized can be a bit more complex, depending on how your STEMLab will be used. In most cases, all activities will take place in the STEMLab. The organization plan is fairly straightforward – tools and materials are organized by type and stored on shelved in labeled plastic bins. Space is also provided for ongoing student work/projects. A separate table might be reserved for larger items such as the 3D printer. You might also want to reserve a table for drilling and sawing and one for soldering. One plan for organization might have the following bins:

o Electronic Tools
 Multimeters
 Wire strippers
 Soldering irons/stands
 Third hands

o Electronics Materials
 Solder
 Wire
 Electrical tape
 Batteries

o Electronic Components (lots of small parts so some sort of parts box might work well)
 Led’s
 Switches
 Servo motors
 Breadboards
 DC Hobby motors
 Solar Cells
 Pumps
 Other circuit components

o Hand Tools (glue guns, screwdrivers, wrenches, needle nose pliers, saws, rulers, PVC Cutters, scissors, utility knives)

o Power Tools
 Dremel
 Cordless Drill/bits

o Electronics/Robotics Kits
 Hummingbird Kits
 Arduino Kits
 Discover Electronics Kits

o SAFETY MATERIALS!!!
 Safety glasses
 Gloves

o Materials (large and small bins/boxes)
 PVC pipe
 Dowel rods, wooden slats
 Recyclables
 Plastic bottles, cardboard, foamboard,
 Zip ties, pipe cleaners
 Paper Towels
 Foils/Wrap
 String
 Aluminum foil pie pans, paper cups, Aquarium Tubing
 Ongoing student projects
 Tape (Duct, scotch)
 Glue