Modern STEM classrooms do not follow the standard blueprint; they require the best lab furniture solutions out there. Read along to find out how to make your STEM classroom stand out.

What are modern STEM classrooms?

STEM education is a relatively recent phenomenon in the learning space, and it seeks to challenge and reinvent the current landscape of school education. Essentially, it aims to challenge archaic norms where the teacher assumes a central agency and offers conventional instruction through established learning aids such as theoretical lessons and lectures. 

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—the “Big Four” of the world of education—have established themselves as one of the foremost career streams of the 21st century. However, owing to its interdisciplinary nature, it is essential for practitioners of this stream to have hands-on knowledge in addition to problem-solving abilities.

In order to excel beyond standard expectations of STEM education, students who display above-average intellect and merit can often receive augmented skills through STEM learning setups. The shift from rote learning and primary reliance on dry theoretical input towards an interdisciplinary, problem-solving, real-world orientation is essential to STEM learning. It’s a creative and innovative approach that is evident in the increasing adoption of STEM setups in modern classrooms across educational levels. Most importantly, modern STEM classrooms allow students to learn and apply their skills, maximising what they inculcate into their skillset.

In contrast to conventional classrooms, STEM classrooms need adaptable and mobile setups that allow students to collaboratively work on hands-on projects while applying theoretical knowledge. It allows them to learn the skill of working in cross-functional teams, thereby augmenting collaboration and building team spirit. It helps them adapt to teams while understanding the importance of individual contribution. Such collaborative skill sets are in high demand, especially in industry and professional settings. Thus, STEM learning allows schools to help students adopt hard skills as well as soft skills, making them ready to contribute in professional settings.

Importance of lab furniture in modern STEM classrooms

To enhance and support collaboration in STEM classrooms, it is essential to plan and arrange furniture effectively. When students discuss and perform tasks in and around the classroom, it is important for them to move freely, without too many constraints. For this, the furniture needs to be adaptable and flexible. Suppliers often provide the furniture as a block, which designers further segment into sections that students can rearrange freely. This design offers flexible solutions that can adjust according to students’ requirements.

Specialized furniture for STEM

Octagonal desks by Labkafe have applications in collaborative work, where multiple students can sit around the table facing each other. These desks remove spatial and logistical constraints often faced by students in a linear seating setup. Effective lab design can also greatly improve productivity. For example, teachers can set up temporary removable partitions and place or remove them as needed. Thus, they can segment or unite the room based on the task. Designers arrange gas, electricity, and wiring lines around the perimeter to minimize distractions and enhance mobility.

Lab furniture solutions can improve outputs in STEM classrooms because they can be designed and installed depending on the school’s and students’ needs. It can provide handy power outlets on the lab furniture itself, which is necessary as STEM classrooms require advanced electronic and digital devices like TVs and display boards, VR devices, scanners, and 3D printers. Labkafe provides 3D printers for a variety of learning applications. In addition, STEM learning requires additional miscellaneous items that need storage space.

Individual labelled storage bins or cabinets can help organise miscellaneous items so they are easily accessible, and students don’t have to search for items when working on projects. Labkafe offers excellent storage solutions with lab furniture suited for STEM classrooms. These allow users to store and use cumbersome appliances and equipment in a simple and ergonomic manner.

Best lab furniture solutions for optimum productivity

The best lab furniture solution for your classroom will depend on the specific requirements of your classroom projects. Basic building projects can be supported by glass or melamine worktops. However, chemical experiments might require acid-resistant, durable worktops that can withstand harsh substances. 

PVC is a highly resistant worktop and one of the best lab furniture solutions for STEM classrooms. It is used in higher education setups focusing on hydrofluoric acid applications. Labkafe offers a plethora of design and worktop solutions to choose from. We allow you to optimize the setup according to your needs.

Creative collaborative tables are essential for STEM setups. They can be adjusted and moved around, much like a puzzle. This enables you to rearrange setups on the workbench throughout the room. This allows students to bring together cross-functional teams by setting up workbenches in a way that suits them.
Labkafe offers a variety of PVC worktops that can withstand harsh chemicals and repeated cycles of cleaning and disinfection. We also provide a variety of lab furniture necessary for STEM classrooms. Our team of experts can tailor solutions uniquely for your STEM classroom as needed. Contact us today to set up the best lab furniture for your STEM classroom!