MindLabs
MindLabs
Educators Pick Best of STEM® Product Review
An educator-led review of MindLabs, powered by the Catapult X
This product review is part of the Educators Pick Best of STEM® Awards, created to give educators quick, reliable insights into innovative STEM tools.
Through Catapult X’s educator-led review process, we combine written analysis and video commentary to highlight real classroom impact.
In this feature, STEM educator Kim Collazo shares her authentic experiences with MindLabs, offering practical, classroom-tested perspectives to help educators make informed decisions.
MindLabs: Educator Review and Insights
MindLabs brings augmented reality, interactive science challenges, and hands-on exploration together to help students think and work like real scientists. Designed by Explore Interactive, MindLabs gives elementary learners an intuitive way to investigate STEM concepts, build circuits, test ideas, and practice problem-solving in a highly engaging digital-plus-physical format.
Educator Rating for MindLabs: ★★★★★
Educators consistently praise MindLabs for its:
- Engaging AR-driven learning
- Strong alignment with NGSS
- Clear facilitation of inquiry-based lessons
- Classroom-ready structure
- Ability to support both teachers and independent learners
Founded
2016
Industry
E-Learning Providers
Website
https://exploremindlabs.com
MindLabs brings augmented reality, interactive science challenges, and hands-on exploration together to help students think and work like real scientists. Designed by Explore Interactive, MindLabs gives elementary learners an intuitive way to investigate STEM concepts, build circuits, test ideas, and practice problem-solving in a highly engaging digital-plus-physical format.
Educator Rating for MindLabs: ★★★★★
Educators consistently praise MindLabs for its:
- Engaging AR-driven learning
- Strong alignment with NGSS
- Clear facilitation of inquiry-based lessons
- Classroom-ready structure
- Ability to support both teachers and independent learners
Founded
2016
Industry
E-Learning Providers
Website
https://exploremindlabs.com
⭐ MindLabs Educator Review: Video Insights
In this educator-led review, STEM educator Kim Collazo shares practical insights on how MindLabs supports real classroom instruction, boosts student engagement, and aligns with modern science teaching practices.
Through a series of short video clips, Kim highlights how MindLabs fits into daily lessons, encourages independence, and helps teachers bring NGSS-aligned inquiry to life. These clips break down how students use the app, how teachers integrate it, and why MindLabs is becoming a favorite tool among STEM educators.
Easy Integration Into Classroom Routines
Kim explains how teachers can quickly bring MindLabs into their lessons using ready-made activities and guided AR experiences. She highlights how the platform requires minimal prep time and fits smoothly into existing science units.
How MindLabs Solves Hidden Classroom Challenges
Kim shares the instructional challenges MindLabs helps address—from increasing student independence to creating more opportunities for self-guided exploration. She discusses how the tool reduces off-task behavior and helps students focus through structured problem-solving.
Engagement Through AR and Interactive Challenges
MindLabs uses augmented reality and story-driven missions to capture student interest. Kim describes how AR visualization, puzzle-solving, and immediate feedback help students stay motivated and excited during science activities.
A Practical Teaching Tip for Boosting Inquiry
Kim offers an educator tip on making science more interactive: combining structured tasks with open exploration. She explains how MindLabs helps students ask questions, experiment, and discover concepts for themselves.
Educators Speak Out on MindLabs
MindLabs’ Curriculum & Interactive Notebook Tools
This clip highlights how MindLabs offers a complete, classroom-ready curriculum paired with an interactive digital notebook. Kim explains how these resources help students document their thinking, reflect on their learning, and stay organized throughout STEM challenges.
Helping Students Think Like Scientists
Kim discusses how MindLabs supports NGSS-aligned inquiry by encouraging students to hypothesize, test ideas, and revise their thinking. The platform helps students engage in authentic scientific practices rather than memorizing facts.
Empowering Student Agency Through Open-Ended Discovery
Kim shares how MindLabs gives students ownership of their learning. Through experimentation and exploration, learners gain confidence, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of science concepts.
Encouraging a Growth Mindset Through Trial and Error
Kim reflects on how allowing students to fail and retry within MindLabs challenges helps build resilience. She highlights how this small shift in teaching approach strengthens problem-solving and perseverance.
Additional FAQs for Educators
How easy is it to integrate MindLabs into an existing science curriculum?
MindLabs is designed to fit seamlessly into existing science instruction. The platform includes ready-to-use, NGSS-aligned lessons that teachers can integrate into topics they already teach, such as force and motion, energy and circuits, and habitats. Educators report that minimal setup is required, making it easy to adopt without adding extra planning time.
What classroom challenges does MindLabs help solve for teachers?
MindLabs addresses several common classroom challenges, including limited materials, time constraints, and student engagement. Teachers only need AR trigger cards and a tablet, reducing storage and supply costs. The built-in curriculum and teacher dashboard also streamline lesson preparation and allow educators to focus more on guiding learning rather than managing logistics.
How does MindLabs support student engagement in STEM learning?
MindLabs uses augmented reality, interactive challenges, and narrative-driven activities to keep students engaged. The AR experiences help students visualize abstract science concepts, while the story-based missions give learning a clear purpose. Educators note that this approach motivates students to stay focused, collaborate, and actively participate in problem-solving.
How does MindLabs align with NGSS and inquiry-based learning?
MindLabs naturally supports NGSS-aligned practices by encouraging students to ask questions, test ideas, revise their thinking, and reflect on outcomes. Rather than memorizing facts, students engage in hands-on experimentation and investigation—key components of inquiry-based science learning.
How does MindLabs help students think like real scientists?
Through guided experimentation and AR simulations, MindLabs encourages students to observe, predict, test, and iterate. Educators highlight that students learn to analyze results, adjust their approach, and develop scientific reasoning skills in a way that mirrors real-world science practices.
Is MindLabs suitable for classrooms with limited technology or budgets?
Yes. MindLabs is a low-friction solution that does not require VR headsets or expensive lab equipment. With just AR cards and a tablet, classrooms can access immersive STEM experiences. This makes MindLabs accessible for schools with varying levels of technology and budget constraints.
How does MindLabs support productive failure and student agency?
MindLabs encourages students to experiment freely and learn from mistakes. Educators report that allowing students to experience trial and error builds resilience, perseverance, and confidence. This approach helps students take ownership of their learning rather than relying on constant teacher intervention.
What curriculum and assessment tools come with MindLabs?
MindLabs includes a complete, classroom-ready curriculum along with an interactive student notebook and a real-time teacher dashboard. These tools help students document their learning and allow teachers to track individual progress, even during group-based activities.
Who is MindLabs best suited for?
MindLabs is especially well-suited for elementary classrooms and educators who want to make science more hands-on, engaging, and inquiry-driven. It supports both teachers who are confident in STEM and those who may feel less comfortable teaching science by providing structured guidance and interactive experiences.
Why do educators recommend MindLabs as a STEM learning tool?
Educators recommend MindLabs because it combines engagement, ease of use, and strong instructional design. Its AR-driven activities, NGSS alignment, and classroom-ready resources help teachers deliver meaningful STEM instruction while empowering students to explore, experiment, and learn independently.
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