- 1. We give kids an opportunity to get their hands dirty and make things.
- 2. We empower teachers to continue this work once we drive away.
Student Builders is a growing fleet of innovation labs. Student Builders was created to spark a passion in youth for science, technology, engineering, arts and math by bringing the coolest tools, equipment and mentors directly to schools. By parking our innovation lab right outside the classroom, Student Builders provides learning experiences that are oftentimes unavailable in schools serving low-income communities.
Our Story
Award-winning professor and school turnaround expert Christopher Nelson believes that the zip code in which a child was born should not determine whether she has access to science, technology, engineering, art, and math education. But yet, this is often the case. Chris lays out how he is changing this one school at a time in Florida and how the concept can be adapted to other states and countries.
What We Do
Student Builders provides an innovative approach to learning by providing students with access to STEAM-based experiences in communities where they don’t currently exist. Whether it be through our Student Builders experiences, consulting services or one of our new offerings, we provide students and teachers with access to STEAM education however it works best for them. We do this in three primary ways:
Our growing fleet of innovation labs provides on-site access to the expertise, materials, and equipment needed to implement hands-on building, tinkering, and learning experiences that are oftentimes unavailable.
We work with teachers to help them implement STEAM problem-based learning experiences into the school day — both inside and out of the classroom.
We partner with schools to implement a STEAM-based curriculum and learning environment.
Student Achievement
Guidance During Impact Programming
Community Engagement
Olivia Chloe
English Teacher
Olivia Chloe
English Teacher
Olivia Chloe
English Teacher
Olivia Chloe
English Teacher
Why We Do It
According to the 2015 NAEP (considered the Nation’s Report Card), after 13 years of public schooling, less than 40% of students are ready for college and career success. In addition, another survey found that there is “broad recognition that American high schools are not doing enough to prepare students for success outside of academic settings, which is at odds with what most believe to be the purpose of high school – to prepare students for the real world.” The research is clear — our current educational framework is not set up in a way to prepare our youth for future success.
Access to hands-on building, tinkering, and the kinds of curriculum offered through Student Builders® can increase access to STEAM careers and build the skills critical for long-term success in the real world. The problem is, the tools, expertise, and time needed to utilize these types of strategies are usually unavailable in public schools, and especially so in public schools serving low-income communities.
Studies show four main critical areas of development necessary for success in the 21st century job market: Collaboration and teamwork; Creativity and imagination; Critical thinking and Problem solving.
Our programs provide access to materials, expertise, and curriculum so that we can reach students during the school day directly on their own campus.
Since its founding, Student Builders has been honored with a number of awards for its creative initiatives and innovative curriculum. We’re proud to be acknowledged for our hard work. Click here to check out our awards.