Models of Mobile Hands-On STEM Education

Hands-on activities can improve student understanding of STEM topics dramatically, and laboratories are the most common implementation of hands-on learning. However, most experiments are performed in dedicated laboratories, which may be costly and inaccessible to students, and the labs may not be timely with respect to when students learn the associated theoretical concepts. Mobile hands-on labs are ones that use equipment that is affordable and portable, so that students can own the equipment and do the labs anywhere anytime. This paper presents three models of implementation of mobile hands-on education: a limited number of small, in-class labs given in lecture-based courses; full-scale labs done on student-owned equipment; and studio classes. These models were all implemented in Electrical and Computer Engineering programs, though the modules are also used in K-12 outreach activities.