UL Research Institutes’ Institute for Research Experiences & Education believes that scientific inquiry in the context of real-world phenomena builds the foundation for a safer, more sustainable future where people are equipped with the knowledge and skills to think critically about the world around them.

The Xplorlabs Educator Fellowship is a unique, yearlong fellowship that connects secondary and informal educators to ULRI researchers, scientists, and safety science education experts in a robust, supportive community of innovation.   

Through virtual and in-person experiences, educators will explore safety science phenomena, real-world challenges, and STEM careers, and collaborate on how they can design experiences using Xplorlabs that engage their students in safety science, while teaching required standards. 

This year’s fellowship application is now open until Sunday, April 5 at 11:59 Pacific.

2026-2027 fellows will have the opportunity to:

• Receive an honorarium for their work, as well as covered travel and expenses to select conferences and the UL Research Institutes Annual Research Symposium
• Learn about emerging safety science phenomena and supporting K-12 content knowledge from industry-leading scientists and researchers at ULRI
• Collaborate with expert educators to further pedagogy and co-develop safety science lessons using Xplorlabs
• Engage in a robust, supportive community of educators who are dedicated to innovation
• Receive free resources and supplies to support their work in the fellowship

What Makes This Program Unique?

• Nationwide cohort: Build sustainable relationships with other educators and community stakeholders
• Focus on engaging phenomena: Explore modern safety challenges and phenomena using strategies and tools that educators can take back to your students 
• Emphasize teaching strategies: Collaborate with other educators to further pedagogy and co-develop lessons using Xplorlabs resources
• Fuel youth agency: Empower learners to investigate meaningful problems, imagine a safer world, and turn multidisciplinary knowledge into action
• Focus on reinvigoration: Intentional program design serves to reinvigorate educators and elevate their expertise 

“Through my journey with Xplorlabs, I have gained valuable insights into making science education more engaging and impactful. The combination of hands-on investigations, real-world applications, and student-driven projects transformed my classroom into a space where learning is dynamic and meaningful.”

Alex Sackett, and Kate Kobany, Edina, MN, 2024-2025 Fellow

Program Expectations and Key Dates

• Wednesday, May 13, 6-7 p.m. CT: Virtual welcome meeting
• Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17: Annual Research Symposium in Chicago, IL
• Monthly: Virtual meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of the month
• Engage in asynchronous work, averaging 1.5 hour/month (i.e., reflection, innovate lessons, reading, and other tasks relevant to the fellowship goals)
• Complete 2 program deliverables:
  • Xplorlabs Learning Experience – Fellows will design, implement, reflect about, and finalize a learning experience for their unique educational space
  • Fellowship Story – Fellows will engage in consistent reflection in order to develop a Fellowship Story that communicates about their unique experiences with safety science

“The Xplorlabs Educator Fellowship is a win all the way around for your growth as a teacher and ultimately for the experiences your students will remember!”

— Justin Guida, Philadelphia, PA, 2025-2026 Fellow