At Lexington Senior High School, the SparkNC initiative is breaking down barriers and opening doors for students to explore exciting careers in technology fields like cybersecurity, coding, game development, artificial intelligence, and computer systems engineering. With the creation of the Sparklab—a dynamic learning space featuring 3-D printers, Makey Makeys, and other innovative tools—the school is already making impressive strides. However, the recent partnership with Betabox elevated student engagement to an entirely new level.

Objective: Expanding Horizons and Boosting Enrollment

The main goal of bringing Betabox’s onsite field trip to Lexington City Schools was clear: provide students with a unique hands-on experience beyond the regular offerings of the Sparklab. While the Sparklab offered plenty of engaging activities, Betabox introduced students to real-world applications of technology like drones, advanced 3-D printing, and automated vehicles. Additionally, the event aimed to recruit more students into SparkNC by showcasing these cutting-edge technologies.

Planning and Collaboration

Preparation was essential to the success of this event. In the weeks leading up to the field trip, SparkNC teachers collaborated closely with Betabox, selecting an optimal and safe site on campus for the mobile lab. School administrators also played an important role, ensuring the event’s location met safety standards. Prior to the event, students received a brief overview, and campus-wide promotion stirred excitement and interest.

District leadership was particularly supportive, recognizing the event’s alignment with their broader recruitment and educational strategies. With SparkNC’s increasing momentum, the Betabox experience became an ideal way to reach students who might otherwise miss out on these vital tech-oriented opportunities.

Engaging a Diverse Group of Students

The Betabox onsite experience drew an impressive turnout—75 high school and 50 middle school students, ranging from 12 to 18 years old, attended. Importantly, the event attracted a diverse representation of Lexington City Schools’ student body, including varied racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Notably, for approximately half of the participants, this marked their first significant hands-on experience with advanced technology.

The Betabox Experience: A Day of Exploration and Discovery

Throughout the day, students enthusiastically participated in interactive workshops featuring drones, robotics, automated vehicles, and advanced 3-D printing demonstrations. Betabox instructors and SparkNC staff members were actively involved, facilitating activities, answering questions, and ensuring each student had a meaningful, immersive experience.

Student engagement was notably high, with excitement visible throughout the event. Many students shared immediate, enthusiastic feedback, eager to learn more and continue exploring technology beyond the Betabox visit.

Immediate Impact: Driving Interest and Enrollment

The results of the Betabox event exceeded expectations. Over 50% of the students who participated were not previously enrolled in SparkNC, yet following the event, many quickly signed up for the program's 2024–2025 year. Specifically, nearly 90% of 8th graders who attended showed strong interest, with significant numbers from middle school also indicating their intention to enroll.

Voices from the Event

Students and district leadership alike praised the experience:

- “This was so cool—I never thought I’d see this kind of tech in real life. I’m definitely signing up!” – Lexington Senior High School student
- “Betabox gave our students an exciting glimpse of what’s possible. It was impressive to see their curiosity ignited in real time.” – Lexington City Schools District Administrator

Reflection and Looking Ahead

The Betabox onsite field trip was clearly successful, particularly in increasing student interest and recruitment into SparkNC. Looking forward, teachers and administrators hope to repeat and expand such collaborations. Suggestions for future improvements include potentially extending the experience duration and incorporating even more advanced technologies.

The partnership between Betabox and Lexington Senior High School’s SparkNC program not only successfully introduced students to technology's real-world applications but also substantially boosted interest and enrollment. The event underscored the importance of hands-on experiences in inspiring students and preparing them for future careers in tech. Betabox remains committed to supporting SparkNC’s vision, ensuring every student can access meaningful, career-shaping STEM experiences.

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