From Conference Floor to Classroom Doors: MLC Member Collaboration Highlight

It’s well known that one of the top strengths of the MLC Annual Conference is the meaningful in-person convening and networking. The partnership between the STEM Explorer mobile lab and the Thorlabs Mobile Photonics Lab is a perfect example, demonstrating how connections made at the conference can lead to real-world collaborations.

Thorlabs, based in New Jersey, made a pit stop in Michigan during their spring tour to join the STEM Explorer to deliver joint STEM programming to local high school classrooms. This collaboration was born out of conversations and connection-building at the 2024 MLC Conference.

Each respective mobile lab can accommodate half of a class at a time. By teaming up, STEM Explorer and Thorlabs doubled their impact. This collaboration marked a unique opportunity for local networks in Michigan to support the national reach of a peer lab, offering a broader audience while giving students exposure to new learning tools and educators.

Looking Ahead to This July

This year’s conference promises opportunities for connection, creativity and collaboration. Being held in Las Vegas, the conference will be packed with impactful programming, mobile lab demonstrations, speakers and, of course, fun networking events with a crew of professionals who understand the nuances of mobile lab work.

Attendees will have the chance to build relationships that extend beyond the conference rooms — and potentially into classrooms across the country. Whether you’re a seasoned mobile lab team or a newcomer eager to launch your own program, consider registering today for the Annual Conference.

Register Now

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The Mobile Lab Coalition (MLC) brings together an international network of mobile STEM

education programs that deliver engaging, hands-on learning directly to students. These buses, trailers, boxes and custom vehicles transform into traveling science classrooms, making high-quality STEM experiences accessible to all.