Most individuals put trip locations and paint colours on their imaginative and prescient boards. Naomi Meredith put a STEM trailer on hers.
And never simply any trailer—one filled with engineering challenges, construct‑it-yourself actions, and all of the spark that made her Colorado STEM classroom on wheels legendary. Whereas it took just a few years and a few laborious work, Naomi was capable of flip her vision-board dream into a completely functioning cell STEM area that now rolls as much as faculties, occasions, and anyplace children are able to tinker.
On this Q&A, Naomi shares the story behind her concept and the enjoyment of educating STEM wherever the street takes her. You can too observe Naomi on her Instagram.
Q: How did you provide you with the thought for a cell STEM classroom?
I bear in mind after I was within the earlier days of being a Ok–5 STEM instructor, and I used to be taking a web-based coaching the place there was a makerspace on wheels for example. I assumed this was such a neat concept to deliver extra STEM experiences to children in the neighborhood. That is one thing I knew I wished to do for myself in the future, so it was on my imaginative and prescient board since January 2020. Then in summer season of 2024 after I was searching Fb Market, I discovered the trailer to show my dream right into a actuality. (You may see the method for your self on Instagram proper right here.)
Q: What was the method wish to convert the trailer right into a STEM classroom?
Whereas I used to be taking a look at totally different choices to have a cell STEM classroom, I began by taking a look at buses. I did see a trailer that saved popping up, however I simply thought a bus could be simpler since you can flip the important thing and be in your method. (Aspect word: I’m not driving children on this classroom—I arrive to the positioning and keep in a single place.)
The primary bus I noticed on-line appeared so good, and it was sizzling pink, which is my essential model coloration. But it surely was run-down. The subsequent bus I noticed had virtually 400,000 miles on it and wouldn’t even shift out of park. Whereas I saved trying to find buses, this little trailer saved popping up. It was so cute and was additionally used as a cell style boutique. However on the time, I didn’t actually have a automotive to drag the trailer.
Within the fall, this trailer was nonetheless on-line and I assumed to myself, what, it doesn’t damage to look! After I walked into the area, I had chills and I virtually cried. It had lovely flooring and shelving and a cute form and paint job, so all it wanted was the “classroom” half. I knew proper then and there the trailer was what I used to be imagined to have as a cell STEM classroom.
Q: How lengthy did it take to place collectively?
The precise setup of the within of the trailer wasn’t tough in any respect. It was a number of enjoyable! The entire area wanted a recent coat of paint, after which I might add the enjoyable stuff. There’s a LEGO wall that strains the perimeter across the counter tops that college students can construct on. One wall is ready up with a complete whiteboard sticker. There’s a metallic pegboard that can be utilized for storing provides and even magnet actions. My sister was so candy and sewed curtains for me to hold up. I like them! I additionally discovered a option to preserve provides I commonly use displayed on the highest shelf however not fall all over by attaching Velcro to the underside of the buckets. It really works out nice!
Q: Did you come throughout any challenges?
To be sincere, the toughest half about having this cell STEM classroom trailer has been studying tips on how to hook it up and drive it. The attaching and detaching to my automotive, I received that down in a short time. I’ve to retailer the trailer in a parking area since I’m not allowed to maintain it in my neighborhood. The primary time I attempted backing up my trailer into its spot, I couldn’t do it in any respect and I used to be crying. It was so complicated! I known as my husband to assist me, however from that day on, I used to be decided to get it alone. Now I can again it up and unhook it from my automotive in lower than 5 minutes.
Q: What actions or classes do you train within the trailer?
It’s been so enjoyable educating on this area. It’s like taking part in faculty when you find yourself a child, however this time I’m actually educating and they’re actual children, not stuffed animals. It’s such a cheerful area. When I’m educating elementary teams, I’ve one essential matter that I heart my classes round and both have one huge mission we’re engaged on throughout our time collectively, or quite a lot of STEM stations that join collectively concerning the matter. Up to now, the whole lot has been screen-free and electronics-free by way of classes, although I do have electrical energy and a projector I can use in my area. I train a number of hands-on, makerspace-style classes which might be standards-based.
Q: Do you’ve any favourite tasks to share?
A giant favourite of the youngsters was after we made paper-plate curler coasters. It was so cool that the youngsters all had sufficient room to construct, whether or not they had been in a stand-up or sit-down spot, and be capable of take a look at their design. I’ve additionally branched into toddler and preschool STEM, and that’s been a blast to show. Once more, I’ll plan round one matter, learn a narrative, have a bunch motion recreation or experiment, then quite a lot of STEM stations they’ll transfer by freely. I additionally full a craft with them, just a few children at a time, that they get to take residence. Out of all the teachings, I feel the spider lesson was my favourite one to plan.
Q: How do children react after they see the trailer for the primary time?
The youngsters are all the time so cute and excited after I pull as much as my trailer. They usually suppose it’s a meals truck, which is sensible. Nobody in my space is pulling round a classroom like me! I’ve one group I train virtually biweekly, and I observed the counter tops had been too tall for them to entry. I ended up shopping for a handful of wood step stools they might use, and that made their day. All of them climbed on prime of them and so they had been yelling, “We will see the whole lot! We like your curtains!” One little lady additionally advised her mother that she wants her personal cell STEM classroom trailer so she will do extra experiments at residence. Everybody—children and adults—tells me how cute it’s, which I completely agree with. That’s my model!
Q: How far do you journey with the trailer, and the way usually do you utilize it?
I’m so fortunate to reside in an space the place there are a number of locations I can simply take my trailer. That is all the time one thing I’m build up as effectively by way of native connections. Presently, I don’t drive greater than 15 to twenty minutes away from my residence base. I at present meet up with homeschool teams both at a neighborhood park or their properties. I’ve an at-home daycare that I pull as much as as effectively. Whereas I do train after-school golf equipment, I’ve but to deliver my trailer, which I hope to do that summer season.
Q: What impression have you ever seen on college students and households due to this cell classroom?
What’s been wonderful about this trailer is that it appears like a classroom however in a non-traditional method, which the dad and mom and folks I work with love. They actually worth my expertise being within the classroom over a decade and my M.Ed. in STEM Management. They like how I’ve been capable of mix these issues into my enterprise. Dad and mom additionally love the way it’s a unique and inventive expertise for his or her children however they’re nonetheless actively studying classes in a hands-on method. Likewise dad and mom benefit from the comfort of me coming to them. I can usually deliver messy tasks since I’m exterior. It’s one thing they don’t essentially must do at residence.
Q: What recommendation would you give to different educators who need to create one thing related?
The most important factor I’d say is to be affected person if that is one thing you need to do. I had this dream for nearly 5 years earlier than it began to take form, and it’s nonetheless evolving. I additionally want to inform myself to be affected person as a result of there are issues with the trailer that I would like to determine or attempt.
Your schooling expertise is such an asset to this expertise, however you additionally must have a enterprise mindset to place it into motion. For scheduling and pricing this system, I actually must suppose by that course of. Undoubtedly do your analysis earlier than leaping in. It’s a lot enjoyable to have, nevertheless it’s not all the time glamorous. With any enterprise, it may be a protracted recreation, particularly build up your native partnerships and connections.
Q: Anything we must always know?
Even in case you don’t have a flowery trailer like mine, you possibly can nonetheless train applications in your group. Attempt it to see in case you like that kind of schedule. That’s the place I began and nonetheless proceed to do, even with out the trailer. It will make it easier to construct up the behind-the-scenes group for what additionally, you will want when having a cell classroom. It’ll additionally make it easier to construct up your connections and clientele and take a look at several types of classes.
Plus, encourage a love of STEM in your classroom with these free posters.
