STEMLab: New learning opportunity opens at Miromar Outlet Shops

A new way to get children interested in STEM has arrived to Southwest Florida.

The STEMLab is opening at the Miromar Outlet Shops. The STEMLab is inspired by the IMAG History & Science Center. It offers programs for children and adults and will host camps during the summer.

“There’s science, there’s technology, there’s engineering, there’s math in everything,” said Amy Loveless, manager at STEMLab.

Loveless’ mission is to show kids, especially girls, how STEM sparks curiosity and innovation.

“When I was younger, I wasn’t pushed as much to do as many STEM-related things as maybe some boys were,” Loveless said. “You know we girls can do anything boys can do.”

That’s something Dunbar High School students Kenise Jackson and Jaansi Parsa know is true.

“I believe that the sooner we expose children to that the better they understand the world and like how to critically think,” Jackson said.

Parsa agrees.

“If I hadn’t done all those hands-on things with my sister when I was younger, I don’t think I would be either in STEM entirely or definitely not as interested in STEM as I am now,” Parsai said.

STEMLab is meant to be fun and educational at the same time.

“Our Google Earth Wall is more than just Google Earth and just finding your house or finding your school, there’s if you go into the ocean, you can learn all about coral reef bleaching and how scientists are researching that and what can be done about it,” Loveless said.