March 28, 2025
I By Betabox
Test Content. is a new initiative to help students access pathways to high-tech fields such as cybersecurity, coding, game development, computer systems engineering, artificial intelligence, and much more! The Lexington Senior High School Sparklab is accessible to all students on campus, and provides them the opportunity to explore these topics in a safe, creative and collaborative learning environment.
The primary objective of this onsite field trip was to provide Lexington City Schools students (middle and high school) with a hands-on learning experience different than the ones already offered in the Sparklab. In the lab we have Makey Makeys, 3-D printers, and other various hands-on experiences, but Betabox allowed students the chance to get outside and see how these technologies (drones, 3-D printers, automated vehicles) are being utilized in the real world. The onsite field trip with Betabox also served as a recruiting tool, as over 50% of students who participated in the field trip were not yet enrolled in SparkNC, but have since signed up for SparkNC for the 2024-2025 school year!
Describe the steps taken to prepare for the Onsite Field Trip, including how you collaborated with SparkNCIn the weeks prior to the field trip, we were in contact with Betabox to determine the best location for the onsite field trip. We then met with admins in our building to ensure the location of the Betabox mobile lab was safe. Students were given a brief overview of the field trip, and the event was promoted on campus.
Discuss the potential for the Onsite Field Trip to be aligned with district leadership priorities related to recruiting strategies. SparkNC has gained a lot of momentum in its first year on campus, but any opportunity we have to promote it more has been a great success so far. Betabox’s onsite field trip served as a wonderful recruitment opportunity for our district, and would likely also be beneficial to other districts with Sparklabs!
Provide information on the number of students involved, their age range, and any other relevant demographic details. We had 75 high school students, and 50 middle school students visit Betabox’s onsite field trip experience. These students ranged from 12-18 years of age. Some of these students were already enrolled in SparkNC, but for around 50% of them, this was their first hands-on learning experience with technology. Demographically, we had a very diverse group of students that represented all races, ethnicities, genders and socioeconomic groups that are represented in Lexington City Schools.
Outline the main activities and learning workshops conducted during the field trip. Highlight any specific demonstrations or hands-on experiences that were particularly engaging.
Comment on the involvement of instructors, staff members, and any volunteers in making the event successful.
Note observations on student engagement and participation during the event.
Summarize any feedback received from students or educators at the event.
Detail the number of students who attended the field trip and the number that subsequently enrolled in the SparkLab program. Highlight any notable increases in interest or enrollment. List how many students signed up for the SparkLab after the experience. (mentioned nearly 90% of 8th graders, many MS as well need to crunch numbers).
Include one or two short testimonials or quotes from participants that demonstrate the impact of the field trip. What was the feedback from district leadership that observed the day?
What aspects of the field trip worked well?
Based on the experience, suggest any improvements or changes for future field trips.
Continued Collaboration
At Betabox Learning, we are passionate about making hands-on STEM curricula accessible to all students.
