Implementing effective and consistent STEAM instruction can be challenging, especially when trying to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. The Xploris all-in-one STEAM solution helps overcome these hurdles by offering an engaging, comprehensive platform that supports K-5 educators in fostering essential 21st-century skills from an early age.

What Makes Xploris Stand Out?

Implementing effective and consistent STEAM instruction can be challenging, particularly when trying to engage diverse learning styles and needs. Xploris addresses this by offering a comprehensive learning ecosystem that integrates science data logging, math, coding, and art into a single platform. This versatile tool makes complex STEAM concepts more accessible for young students, blending hands-on activities with digital learning to support various learning styles and abilities.

A key feature of Xploris is its ability to integrate art, coding, and science, making it ideal for interdisciplinary STEAM learning. Students can explore creative projects, such as animating pixel art like a flower that responds to light, blending creativity with technical skills. This approach engages both visual and hands-on learners while fostering problem-solving and innovation. By uniting diverse subjects, Xploris ensures equitable access to STEAM education and empowers all students to explore interdisciplinary connections.

Hands-On Science with Xploris

At the core of the Xploris device is its powerful science data logging capability, essential for modern scientific learning. Using the XploriLab software, students can engage in real-time data analysis with the help of five built-in sensors: temperature, light, sound, distance, and voltage. This hands-on approach allows students to conduct experiments and analyze data in real time, bringing abstract scientific concepts to life.

What sets Xploris apart is its ability to go beyond simple data logging. With two engine controls, two on/off controls, and two voltage outputs, students can use sensor readings to automate machine outputs. For example, they can program a system that adjusts the humidity or temperature of a greenhouse based on real-time sensor data—giving students practical experience with automation and environmental control.

How Xploris Works

XploriLab consolidates six different software modules into a seamless learning experience tailored to K-5 students.

How Xploris Works

• Sensing Module: Ideal for younger students just starting their STEAM journey, this module introduces them to basic science research. By using built-in sensors, students can explore real-world data in a tangible and engaging way.
  
  
• Data Logging Module: Older students can dive deeper into scientific exploration through data collection and analysis. With XploriLab, they can gather and interpret data, allowing them to explore complex scientific principles in a way that’s accessible and relevant.
  
  
• Control Module: This module introduces younger students to coding, guiding them through foundational concepts while incorporating simple control mechanisms. They can program devices to respond to environmental changes, such as adjusting the temperature or humidity in a greenhouse based on live sensor data.
  
  
• Coding Module: From simple block-based coding to advanced Python programming, the Coding module offers students a progressive approach to learning how to code. They can use this skill to operate small robots and control devices, providing a practical and hands-on learning experience.
  
  
• Animation Module: Creativity meets technology in the Art module, where students can create colorful stills and animations. By combining art and coding, students not only enhance their creative thinking but also develop essential technical skills.
  
  
• Composer Module: Students can create their own music using this one-and-a-half-octave scale. They can combine it with control or animation, so Xploris plays their song when specific environmental conditions are met or when a certain animation is triggered.
  

By integrating modules for science data logging, math, coding, control, and art, Xploris creates opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with real-life applications. For example, the Art Module allows them to animate their creations, blending artistic expression with technology. These interactive features not only make learning more engaging but also inspire students to see the relevance of STEAM in everyday life, fostering a deeper interest and understanding of these essential subjects.

Reviving Pixel Art in the Classroom

Pixel art is a unique digital art form that uses small squares to create images, making it an excellent tool for introducing creative thinking in STEAM learning. Xploris leverages pixel art through its 16x16 LED grid, enabling students to design colorful stills and animations. This approach encourages artistic expression while integrating technical skills, fostering innovative problem-solving in a collaborative environment.

The pixel grid also serves as a solid foundation for various math applications. MyStemKits lessons leverage the grid to explore concepts like fractions, area, and counting. For example, students can transform the grid into a virtual ten frame or challenge themselves to create shapes with specified areas or perimeters.

Additionally, Xploris enhances social studies concepts through an engaging lesson plan focused on Native American rock carvings. Students learn about the cultural significance of these carvings and then use the pixel screen to create their own animated petroglyphs.  This not only deepens their understanding of art and history but also equips them with valuable digital skills and fosters creativity in a collaborative environment.

A Compact, Comprehensive STEAM Solution

One of the standout features of Xploris is its portability and ease of use. Schools no longer need to invest in multiple, disconnected STEAM tools that can be expensive to maintain and difficult to integrate. Xploris offers a compact, all-in-one device that delivers a high-quality, multi-disciplinary learning experience.

This means that educators can effortlessly transition between teaching science, technology, engineering, and art without needing to switch between different platforms or devices. For students, this cohesive learning environment encourages a deeper understanding of how different subjects interconnect, which is vital for developing problem-solving skills and creative thinking.

Why Choose Xploris for Your School?

For educators, curriculum coordinators, and school leaders looking to provide an engaging and future-focused STEAM education, Xploris is the solution. Its combination of cutting-edge software, hands-on tools, and seamless integration across disciplines makes it an invaluable resource for fostering the skills students need in the 21st century. Whether it’s coding, data logging, pixel art, or science automation, Xploris equips students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.

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