Xplorlabs Fellowship Leads to Changemaking in the Classroom

As a STEM educator, my role is to make learning meaningful through real-world, authentic, and engaging lessons. However, finding topics of interest that hook the attention of a middle schooler is not easy. Xplorlabs is an online resource created specifically to educate students on safety science and engage them in real-world investigations while identifying some of today’s most relevant topics. I began using the Xplorlabs Fire Forensics module a few years ago in partnership with our local Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services and, more recently, expanded to other pathways including battery supply chains and thermal runaway.

Xplorlabs is funded through UL Research Institutes, an organization dedicated to safety science and creating a sustainable society. Recognizing the importance of K-12 education to its mission, UL Research Institutes’ Office of Research Experiences & Education introduced an educator fellowship in May 2023. The inaugural fellowship included travel to national conferences, a stipend, and an opportunity to collaborate with educators and ULRI’s researchers to continue developing innovative safety science resources for sixth- through eighth grade classrooms.

Sparking student curiosity through real-world safety science

My experience throughout the fellowship has been relevant, connected, and empowered. As one of the few STEM educators in my district, I find it challenging to find engaging middle school resources that introduce students to real-world problem-solving while promoting positive impact. The safety science research being conducted at ULRI is extremely relevant to middle school students because it connects their classroom learning to real-world events. This sparks students’ curiosity and increases their sense of purpose by taking ownership of their work.

Throughout the fellowship, I’ve connected with a cohort of educators from different backgrounds and teaching experiences. Together, we’ve committed to inspire our students through the investigation of safety science, develop engaging instructional strategies, and culminate projects based on the Xplorlabs lessons. In addition, I’ve also had the opportunity to learn from today’s leading safety scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs and expanded my network of resources and contacts within ULRI.

Traveling to Chicago to participate in the 2023 ULRI Annual Research Symposium was both personally and professionally rewarding. Learning about each of the institutes and offices that make up ULRI challenged me to think globally about real-world issues and empowered me to be a changemaker in the classroom. I was treated as an equal and a valuable contributor to UL Research Institutes’ initiatives.