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Mobile STEM lab or school makerspace: how to decide
Last reviewed: October 2026
The short answer. A makerspace gives one school a room for hands-on work every week, but teachers run it, stock it, and plan for it. A Betabox mobile lab brings a staffed, fully equipped experience to every school in a district for a few days, with nothing for teachers to prepare. Schools can use a mobile lab visit to build interest and a makerspace or classroom kits to keep it going.
Side by side
| Betabox mobile lab | In-school makerspace | |
|---|---|---|
| How often | A few days per school, booked in a Blueprint | Every week, in one building |
| Who runs it | Betabox Guides run every session | Your teachers |
| Teacher prep | Nothing for the day itself | Ongoing planning, training, and restocking |
| Equipment | Brought by Betabox | Bought and kept by the school |
| Space needed | A spot in your parking lot | A dedicated room |
| Reach | Up to 125 students a day | One class at a time |
| Career follow-up | CareerStack™, included with district-funded trips | Separate tools, if any |
What students do in a Betabox lab
Students code robots, fly drones, and build circuits, with no bus required. Each topic has a version for elementary, middle, and high school, and every experience connects to curriculum standards. CareerStack™ is included with district-funded trips. See an Onsite Field Trip, hands-on projects for what can continue in class, how schools pay, and the buyer's guide. Check availability.
Using both
After a visit, teachers get resources to extend the learning in class. A makerspace can be where that happens.
A mobile lab is the best fit
- When you want every student in a grade to get the same hands-on experience across many schools, without asking teachers to run it.
A makerspace may fit better
- When you have a room, trained staff, and a plan for weekly use in one building.
Questions about a mobile lab or a makerspace
- Is a mobile lab a replacement for a makerspace?
- Not always. A mobile lab reaches many students in a few days. A makerspace supports weekly projects in one building. Schools can use both.
- Do teachers need training to use the Betabox lab?
- No. Betabox Guides run every session and bring all equipment and materials. Teachers get resources to extend the learning in class.
- How much space does the lab need?
- The 35-foot lab parks in your school lot.
- What grades fit a mobile lab visit?
- Grades 4 through 12. Each topic has a version for elementary, middle, and high school.
- How do schools fund a mobile lab visit?
- Most combine the district budget, Perkins V and Title funds, grants, and local partners. A Betabox funding strategist helps. See how schools pay.