Mobile labs enhance education and spread excitement

Laramie County Community College sophomore Natanya Sam, who studies physical sciences, says it’s important to show young people that being a scientist, engineer or whatever they want in the STEM field is within their grasp.

“There’s this thing with a lot of people where they say, ‘Oh, scientists do that,’ like it’s out of their reach,” Natanya says. “A hands-on experience can show kids a connection between them and scientists and that they can do this stuff.” 

Today, she’s a member of LCCC’s STEAM Club, a student organization for those interested in STEM, and a biology major. The STEAM Club and STEM Pathway are hoping to bring that kind of hands-on experience and excitement to young people with the new Harry C. Vaughn STEM Mobile Science Lab, now making its way to regional events. 

The STEM mobile lab is packed with items from the science classroom that show young people what students studying science are working with in classrooms. Whether it’s anatomy models or tools used in a physics class, the mobile lab can carry awareness and enthusiasm for STEM wherever it goes.  

Acquired by the STEM Pathway in August, the mobile lab has already made treks to local schools and educational events in southeast Wyoming. Appearances have included everything from Carey and Johnson junior high schools to Davis Elementary all the way out to Burns Junior and Senior High School in eastern Laramie County. 

“We can bring STEM activities to young people and show them what it’s about, but we can also say, ‘Hey, we offer this at LCCC; we offer biomedical sciences and engineering and more,’” says Trent Morrell, LCCC’s STEM Pathway coordinator.

But that’s not LCCC’s only mobile learning unit. The Mobile Welding Lab, also launched in 2023, is giving students in the Welding Program another learning opportunity that transcends the experience of working in the shop.

“The shop is indoors and all enclosed,” says Scott VanHorn, Trades & Technical Studies Pathway coordinator. “With the Mobile Welding Lab, the students are out in the elements. That’s fitting because when students go out to work in industry, they’re going to be in different working environments. This gives our students practical experience so that if they do work outside, it’s not completely foreign to them.” 

In late 2023, it was announced that LCCC’s welding and diesel programs would benefit from a Union Pacific grant totaling $300,000 over three years. That grant helped to finish the Mobile Welding Lab, providing an outstanding wrap around the truck portion that draws attention. When the Mobile Welding Lab goes to events such as SkillsUSA state competitions, the truck makes a clear statement that LCCC’s Welding Program is an exceptional opportunity for those interested in welding careers.  

LCCC welding students have made contributions in various areas of campus, such as helping with repairs to gate and fencing work for Ag & Equine Pathway facilities. The Mobile Welding Lab allowed the LCCC students to perform the welds that are improving other programmatic areas of campus, which Scott says helps students feel the sense of accomplishment.

“We’re happy to apply skills our students have learned in the Trades & Technical Studies Pathway for our friends up and down campus,” he says. “It’s important for us that students don’t just complete exams as part of their education, but can apply their skills. It’s interesting because they have that motivation to produce high-quality work; they’re not just doing it for a grade. It helps them build that pride of craftsmanship.”

The mobile labs at LCCC are not only helping students on campus apply their skills; they spread enthusiasm that will draw prospective students to the college in the future. 

Andres Lee, a sophomore majoring in physical science with an emphasis in physics, says technology being employed at LCCC is impressive and offers an exciting gateway into STEM. 

“The ZSpace in the Concept Forge was something I hadn’t seen before in terms of augmented reality,” he says. 

Today, young people enjoying the STEM Mobile Lab can use ZSpace as part of the demonstration. Young people can have a hands-on experience at their school that shows them what it means to be a college student. 

Proponents are optimistic that future LCCC students will open the door to higher education through experiences such as the STEM and 
welding mobile labs.

“We’re looking forward to bringing this to students to say, ‘You may want a career doing this,’” Trent says. “It doesn’t mean you have to 
be a genius; you just need to have a love for curiosity and problem-solving.”