UL Xplorlabs is an educational platform designed to encourage students to “solve through science.” It is especially focused on engaging middle-school students when their interest in science is shown to decrease dramatically.
Each UL Xplorlabs module focuses on a specific topic and is designed with flexibility to complement science, technology, engineering and mathematics curricula, and bridges the gap between the classroom and real-world engineering challenges. The Portable Electrical Power module puts students into the shoes of battery experts as they learn about lithium-ion batteries and study key concepts like thermal runaway. The Fire Forensics: Claims and Evidence module challenges students to read a fire scene and build a claim for a fire’s origin and cause.
The elements of each module – including the interactive video, online experience, classroom activities and challenges – can be done individually and in any order. An in-depth Teacher Guide also supplements each module to provide a roadmap and supporting content for the lessons.
Platforms Used:
- Online
- Hands-on experiments
- Video supplements
- Classroom setting
Primary website’s URL
Problem Solved:
UL Xplorlabs modules enable teachers to build scientific knowledge, passion and commitment among their students. The modules show students that by using scientific inquiry to ask why a phenomenon occurs, they can solve real-world problems and create innovative solutions for a safer world.
Grades and/or age ranges:
Middle school through high school, grades 6 - 12
Subjects:
UL Xplorlabs modules address STEM education development.
Standards:
UL Xplorlabs was carefully created to align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), including crosscutting concepts, application of science and engineering practices, and attention to disciplinary core ideas. The landing page for each module lists the specific standards covered.
Lesson Time Needed:
The Fire Forensics module requires two to four class periods to complete, while the Portable Electrical Power module takes one to two class periods.
Pricing Model:
Free.
What else is needed?
The Xplorlabs Xtensions classroom investigations are designed to deepen student understanding, which includes online videos of the experiments for schools without a lab setup to conduct tests. For classrooms that are able to purchase supplies for participation, each Xplorlabs module was designed to be content rich while being cost friendly, with simple supplies that can be purchased online or at local hardware and/or grocery stores. On average, these modules cost around $200 if educators have no classroom supplies of any kind.
The Xplorlabs Fire Forensics module requires screwdrivers, cork board, a lab metalware set, graduated cylinders, index cards, plastic sheets, popsicle sticks, copper wire, beaker cups, kitchen tongs, scissor tongs, aluminum foil tins, mason jars, aluminum foil, candles and lighters.
The Xplorlabs Portable Electrical Power module requires an infrared thermometer, digital thermometer, hand warmers, toothpicks, paper clips, masking tape, duct tape, painter’s tape, plastic rulers, Campbell’s condensed tomato soup, mini spring clamps, metal clamps, disposable gloves, squeeze bottles, stopwatches, lithium batteries and saline solution.
What makes Xplorlabs unique?
The content of each UL Xplorlabs module is challenging, yet perfectly logical. It empowers students to understand science at a hands-on level and apply solutions to real-world problems.
Characteristics:
UL Xplorlabs is an online video platform accessible to any educator or student, on any device.
The pedagogy behind the modules is based on applied educational practice and instructional theory, with feedback from educators and students throughout the process. By beginning with the end in mind, the modules were developed using backward design (Wiggins and McTighe, 2005) starting with the outcomes for what UL Xplorlabs wants students to know and be able to do, as described in the NGSS. NGSS calls for claims, evidence, and reasoning to help teach students the argumentation process by which explanations and solutions are reached.
Here’s what users are saying:
Megan O’Keeffe, 8th grade physical science teacher and STEM teacher leader in Cobb County, Georgia; McCleskey Middle School
“My students were deeply engaged in solving the mystery of the kitchen fire. They completed each lesson to get a better understanding of how the fire started. Each hands-on lab and section of the Xplorlabs curriculum had an authentic connection to real scenarios, and, most importantly, my science content.”
“During the study of fire forensics, students commented on how they couldn’t believe I was letting them, ‘work with fire,’ or how they liked the different activities. Most excitingly, they had questions! The classroom activities were efficient and engaging; additionally, students were eager to continue the digital module. I often had to stop students from moving ahead, so on the day we completed the entire module, they were stoked!”
