A New Chapter in Hands-On STEM Education

Written By Kara Ayaram
 

The iINNOVATE Regional Skills Lab officially launches this fall—a bold new initiative bringing monthly, hands-on STEM education to 13,000 students across 35 schools in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties.

Every K-6 classroom participating in the Skills Lab will receive a new, grade-level STEM lesson each month, spotlighting high-opportunity careers in key regional industries: healthcare, aerospace, agtech, cleantech, manufacturing, construction, and more. Designed in partnership with local employers, these lessons are built to spark curiosity, develop core skills, and connect learning to real-world career paths right here on the Central Coast.

“This is more than just a STEM program,” says Christine Robertson, Executive Director of the iINNOVATE Regional Skills Lab. “It’s a regional investment in equity, opportunity, and long-term economic growth—one classroom, one student at a time.”

Built on Proven Success

The San Luis Coastal Education Foundation’s iINNOVATE Skills Lab has already reached over 3,500 students across 10 school sites, offering immersive, standards-aligned learning experiences that connect education with industry needs. The new Regional Skills Lab builds on this success while introducing critical enhancements:

  • Elevated employer visibility through video content and classroom materials

  • Increased representation of historically underrepresented populations in STEM

  • Expanded lesson library to serve more grade levels and career pathways

Investing in Students and the Region’s Future

Supported in part by the Uplift Central Coast Coalition, the Skills Lab is aligned with California’s Jobs First strategy—a statewide effort to create high-quality jobs and build economic resilience across all communities.

Here on the Central Coast, that mission is critical. Nearly 60% of students face economic barriers, and 9 out of 10 families worry their kids can’t build a future here. Meanwhile, local employers report consistent difficulty finding skilled, local talent—especially for roles in fast-growing STEM sectors.

The iINNOVATE Regional Skills Lab bridges this gap, ensuring students in historically underserved communities gain access to hands-on, career-connected learning that prepares them for the jobs our region needs most.

For questions, contact:

Christine Robertson
Executive Director, iINNOVATE Regional Skills Lab
(805) 549-1300 | crobertson@k12skillslab.org

 
Kara Ayaram
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