We’ve submitted a speaking proposal for SXSW EDU 2025 and would love your support! Voting is open now through August 18 on the SXSW EDU PanelPicker. If you believe engaging learner experiences are the key to transforming education, please take a minute to vote and help bring this session to the stage in March!
Session Title: Student Engagement Science Discovered in STEAM Labs
Vote here or search for: “Student Engagement Science Discovered in STEAM Labs”
We’re unveiling groundbreaking research—led by Dr. Roberta Lenger Kang of CPET, Teachers College, Columbia University, Doug Henderson STEAM Director of the Val Verde School District, and the LessonLoop team—on how real-time student feedback from STEAM lab classrooms reveals instructional innovation, engagement, and joy in learning.
Columbia University’s comprehensive study of Val Verde Schools’ STEAM program reveals impressive results:
Key Findings:
- 9% improvement in cognitive understanding
- 9% boost in instruction comprehension
- 7% reduction in learning-related stress
- 6% increase in collaborative learning
The Study: Nearly 300 4th-grade students tracked using scientifically-validated surveys (0.79 reliability) comparing traditional math vs. STEAM lab experiences.
Why This Matters: Val Verde serves 90% Black and Hispanic students in a field where only 13% of professionals share their background. Early exposure is critical.
Surprising Discovery: Teachers underestimated student engagement by 13% on average, highlighting the need for better assessment tools and training.
Success Factors:
- Dedicated STEAM spaces & teachers
- District-wide coaching support
- Collaborative planning
- Hands-on, multi-modal instruction
“If you don’t start giving them experiences at younger than 3rd grade, where they start to see, ‘Oh, it’s not that hard!’ they’ll never get them.” – Doug Henderson, STEAM Lab Director
For districts serving underrepresented populations, this research provides concrete evidence that systematic STEAM investment drives engagement during critical elementary years when career perceptions form.
Voting is open now through August 18 on the SXSW EDU PanelPicker.
👉 Vote here or search for:
“Student Engagement Science Discovered in STEAM Labs”
Feel free to like, comment, or share to spread the word—we’d be so grateful!
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Full study by Columbia University CPET & @LessonLoop