Texas K-8 Mobile STEM Laboratories

In partnership with Learning Undefeated, TEA introduced the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory program in the 2021-22 school year. Each mobile lab provides engaging, hands-on educational experiences for students and teachers using a custom-outfitted STEM learning space. During the 88th Legislative Session, the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory program received additional funding to expand the fleet to nine mobile units. The full fleet will begin operation in 2025-2026. Click program expansion for more information. 

The Texas Mobile STEM Laboratories are custom-outfitted STEM learning spaces. The mobile labs offer a blend of career and skills education, providing flexible in-classroom resources that empower teachers with new skills and content ideas while serving multiple classes simultaneously with engaging, hands-on experiences.

Onboard the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory, kindergarten through grade 8 students solve engineering design challenges and work cooperatively to design a product or process using model STEM activities developed by Learning Undefeated, with support from the Texas Education Agency (TEA), that integrate content knowledge aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). This program is offered at no cost to participating schools.

The Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory offers cross-curricular STEM experiences. These activities will introduce STEM to students from kindergarten through Grade 8, and allow students to engage with the engineering design process. Learning Undefeated will provide the materials needed to complete engineering design challenges focused on brainstorming, designing, and testing.  All activities focus on students designing solutions to problems and allow for collaboration and exploration of the content.

Eligibility

All Texas school systems offering classes for grades K–8 are eligible to request a visit. Every educational region will receive visits each school year, and 30 campuses will be selected from each service area. Campuses will be chosen based on responses to essay questions. Each independent school district is eligible for one campus visit until all interested districts have had the opportunity to receive at least one visit.

Registration

The application window is April 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025. All Texas public schools that offer classes for kindergarten through grades 8 are eligible to register for a free visit during the 2025–2026 school year. Teachers and administrators can request a visit to their school during the spring registration window. Click on the link to apply for a visit during the 2025-2026 school year.

Click the video link for more information about the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory program.

Free Texas Mobile Laboratory Curriculum

In partnership with TEA, Learning Undefeated created an adaptable, cross-disciplinary framework and model activities for the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratories to introduce Texas teachers and students to principles of engineering design aligned to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The Components of engineering design included in the lessons are defining a problem, identifying criteria and constraints, designing, building, testing, evaluating, and iteration.

• Link to K-8 STEM Lessons

Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory Features

The Texas Mobile STEM Laboratories use Learning Undefeated’s trailer and eight TEA-owned trailers, with advanced technology and laboratory equipment, to create an immersive learning environment for 24 students, their teachers, and a Learning Undefeated facilitator. Technology includes a large format touchscreen TV, surround sound, and LED lighting.

The Texas Mobile STEM Laboratories are self-sufficient with their own water, electricity, heating, and cooling. It is also equipped with a shoreline for electrical power. Other features of the lab include the following:

• Chemical-resistant surfaces
• Full-time support staff to support teacher professional development and student instruction
• Wheelchair-accessible entrances and exits
• Flexible outdoor space, convertible fixtures, and movable storage

The mobile laboratories transport classroom resource carts for teacher-led hands-on activities. All activities are TEA-approved and aligned to the TEKS curriculum for each grade level. During their visit, classroom teachers will have access to TEA-approved TEKS-aligned curriculum, resources, equipment, and on-site support from the Texas Mobile STEM Laboratory.