About 425 students from FUEL, Ferndale Middle School and Ferndale High School explore robotics, autonomous vehicles and extended reality inside the traveling lab this week
FERNDALE, Mich. — Oakland Schools’ STEMi Mobile Innovation Station is parked at Ferndale High School this week, giving about 425 Ferndale Public Schools students a hands-on look at the technology shaping today’s workplaces. The mobile lab arrived Monday and will stay through Friday morning.
The STEMi is designed to engage K-12 students, teachers and families in a one-of-a-kind Industry 4.0 STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — experience. The 1,000-square-foot lab gives schools access to high-end industry equipment and Oakland Schools staff with subject-matter expertise. Inside, students work with autonomous vehicles, collaborative robots, extended reality and smart manufacturing.
The hands-on sessions are built to spark students’ interest in engineering practices, build career awareness and grow self-efficacy, the belief that they can succeed in STEM fields.
This week’s visitors include fifth graders from Ferndale Upper Elementary, known as FUEL, seventh-grade science classes from Ferndale Middle School and science classes from Ferndale High School. Classes rotate through the lab in sessions lasting 40 minutes to an hour and a half.
“The STEMi lets our students put their hands on the same kinds of tools they would use in engineering and manufacturing careers,” said Derek Adams, principal and curriculum coordinator at Tri-County Educational Center. “When students see those connections early, it helps them picture themselves in these fields.”
“Our students learn best when they can see where their learning can take them,” Superintendent Camille Hibbler said. “We are grateful to Oakland Schools for bringing this experience to Ferndale and helping our students connect what happens in the classroom to real careers.”
The STEMi travels to the 28 school districts Oakland Schools serves across Oakland County and visits Ferndale each year. Oakland Schools, the county’s intermediate school district, launched the mobile lab in 2021. To learn more, visit the STEMi page on the Oakland Schools website.
About Ferndale Public Schools
Founded in 1887, Ferndale Public Schools serves approximately 3,100 students from the communities of Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Oak Park, Royal Oak Township and portions of Hazel Park. The district provides a comprehensive educational experience from early childhood through high school, offering rigorous academics, innovative learning opportunities, award-winning arts and athletics, career and technical education, and comprehensive social-emotional supports. Recognized for its commitment to equity, inclusion and student-centered learning, Ferndale Public Schools empowers every student to discover their potential, achieve academic success and become engaged members of their communities.
To learn more about Ferndale Public Schools, visit the website. To stay up to date on district news, events and announcements, visit the News page.