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STEAM Discovery Lab

We are engineering education researchers from Tufts University investigating ways to support teachers in trying new things in their classroom through online content.

The STEAM Discovery lab is a research project focused on investigating strategies for using online platforms to inspire teachers to conduct hands-on, student driven activities in their classrooms. The goal of the STEAM Discovery Lab is to provide educators with a community and resources surrounding making in education, and promote teacher and student creativity, curiosity, self-motivation, and self-confidence. 

"We can't wait to see the stuff you make, ​​and the stuff you make happen!"

Our Team

Tufts Engineering Education Researchers

Director
Chris Rogers
Graduate Research Assistant
Hyejin Im
Graduate Research Assistant
Sara Willner-Giwerc 
Graduate Research Assistant
Dispeshwor Man Shrestha

Teacher Consultants

Barbara Bratzel
Bill Church

Content Contributors 

Human Factors
Abigail Radey
Computer Science
Keisha Musaka

STEAM Discovery Lab Alumni

Annika Han
Eric Wu
Abby Wilson

Our Resources 

Rooted in educational research and a strong commitment to learning through play, the STEAM Discovery Lab strives to be the virtual embodiment of a makerspace, and promote the democratization of engineering, education, and design thinking. We hope that this platform will enable teachers of all levels and subjects to become confident makers and engage in making activities with their students.
Getting Started Guides
We know that sometimes the hardest part of making is getting started! The STEAM Discovery Lab offers easy to follow getting started guides for various subject areas, activities, and platforms. These guides are designed to help teachers get comfortable with the making process and offer suggestions of ways to start making with their students. Check out our guides!
Platform Specific Resources
Do you have a bin of Arduino's that you don't know how to use? Or maybe a tub of LEGOs collecting dust? Or a class set of LEGO Mindstorms EV3 that you need new activities for? We can help! Check out our resources organized by platform. We can help you bring materials out of the storage closet and into the hands of your students with documentation ranging from getting started guides, to activity ideas, to assessment techniques, to troubleshooting resources. 
Ideas by subject area
The STEAM Discovery Lab has ideas for all subjects! We believe that problem solving is a mindset that can be applied to all content areas, and are especially excited about cross-disciplinary making. Browse activities by subject!
Cool stuff! 
Above all, the STEAM Discovery Lab is a place for creating and sharing seriously awesome ideas! We encourage experimentation, celebrate failure, and want to make something cool happen in classrooms around the world.