As the demand for innovative and inclusive STEM education grows, designing learning environments that inspire and support diverse student populations is critical. Importantly, scientists need these inspirational learning environments throughout their career journeys, including the highly formative high school phase. This poster presents findings from a collaborative workshop between laboratory planners and Native American students, aimed at envisioning the STEM classroom of the future. The workshop integrated student perspectives into the planning and design process, ensuring that learning spaces are tailored to their needs, aspirations, and cultural contexts.

In this interactive workshop, students provided feedback on key aspects of an ideal STEM classroom, including the optimal class size, preferred instructor-to-student ratio, and essential elements for an engaging and effective science learning environment. Critically, the students were encouraged to reflect on what elements within a learning space would inspire their generation to pursue STEM education and careers.

Key insights that were uncovered during this co-design process included the importance of flexible and adaptable learning spaces that can accommodate different teaching and learning styles. Students emphasized the need for smaller class sizes to promote deeper engagement, and the inclusion of multiple instructors or mentors for personalized guidance. The essential elements that were identified as key to the success of a STEM classroom included access to hands-on experimentation areas, integrated technology, and strong connections to nature and indigenous knowledge systems. Cultural relevance was also highlighted as a key ingredient for the success of a learning space. The students advocated for designs that incorporate indigenous perspectives, storytelling, and mentorship from community leaders.

Students expressed that inspiration stems from classrooms fostering collaboration, curiosity, and a sense of belonging. The presence of visible role models in STEM, storytelling elements that connect scientific concepts to real-world applications, and spaces designed for interactive and immersive learning were all cited by the students as crucial motivators for pursuing STEM education and careers. By co-designing these environments with students, laboratory planners can ensure that STEM spaces not only support academic success but also cultivate long-term interest and engagement in the sciences well beyond high school.

This poster highlights key takeaways from a novel collaborative design process of a STEM classroom and provides actionable recommendations for laboratory planners, educators, and policymakers. By integrating student voices – particularly those from underrepresented communities – into the co-design of STEM learning environments, we can create inclusive, inspiring, and effective educational spaces that empower and nurture the next generation of scientists and innovators.