Why FLEXCART?
The idea of the FLEXCART was born out of the tremendous need and pain points of teachers and administration to offer affordable quality STEM education experiences in K-12 education. Our goal is to enhance K-12 STEM education by providing a STEM tool that has been specifically developed to satisfy the curricular and professional development requirements for school districts of all demographics.
We are bringing interest and STEM experiences to more children at an early age. Exposing students in elementary and middle school to real-life implications of science and the importance of the STEM fields can inspire students to pursue careers in the rapidly growing STEM market. With educated and passionate students interested in the STEM fields, we can expect a future rich in innovation and progress. The FLEXCARTS coupled with NGSS aligned unit plans create access to an engaging, relevant, hands-on, and high-quality STEM experience for educators and students in K-12 education.
Why NGSS Aligned Unit Plans?
Several decades of high quality research prove children learn science best by physically interacting with difficult science, technology, engineering and math concepts. NGSS standards are written with the expectation that students will “do science” and approach problems as a scientist and engineer would. The FLEXCART provides innovative exhibit technology that naturally produces student inquiry and provides the perfect platform for students to predict, describe and test ideas about the scientific phenomena they are learning about. It is an ideal complement to project based learning.
The NGSS aligned unit plans are written by science teachers for teachers and supply the resources teachers need to deliver a successful STEM experience for their students.
Why Lease?
Because of the leasing opportunity, financial barriers in adopting this technology are lowered, allowing the technology to reach rural or underprivileged areas where exposure to STEM may be low. This gives students of many demographics the opportunity to experience a quality STEM education. The lease option also creates more available space and a variety of different STEM opportunities by rotating FLEXCARTS within districts and to other districts to keep the curriculum relevant and current.
FLEXCART Updates
STEM carts enhance student learning at Spokane, Mead schools (KXLY)
Start Up company FLEXHIBIT Awarded $225,000 SBIR Grant for STEM Learning Innovation
FLEXCART NGSS Aligned Curriculum
FLEXCART offers supplemental NGSS aligned curriculum with each FLEXCART with a focus on STEM Concepts, such as the Engineering Design Process. All unit plans have a career connections and computer science componet. Grade Bands K-8 are available and Grade Bands 9-12 are under development.
Professional Development
FLEXCART is offerong professional development through FLEXCART Trainings. Teachers are trained no the FLEXCARTS and associated NGSS curriculum. The trainings are accredited through the NEWESD 101so teachers can obtain clock hours and STEM hours for certificate FLEXCART Training for STEM/Clock Hours-NEWESD 101 More FLEXCART Trainings will be offered late Spring 2019
