About Us
About us
Our mission is to produce cutting-edge and rigorous STEAM education resources and programs for schools, homeschools, out-of-school programs, and self-motivated learners.
Founded in July 2019 by Isabel Mendiola and Peter Haydock, Gearbox Labs, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) / 509 (a)(2) public charity incorporated in the State of Wisconsin, United States.
Watch our Introduction Video on YouTube.
With over 45 years of education experience in the classroom, education publishing, K-20 education, and adult learning, as well as numerous awards for their work, the founders created Gearbox Labs to address an international shortage of STEM professionals. We are known for
- We are both former science teachers with a passion for engineering and coding.
- We have a strong commitment to innovation and trying new approaches in our classrooms.
- We have advised numerous students and groups to win local, regional, and national competitions.
- We believe student learning should be guided by the standards but maximize real-world application.
- Project and Problem-Based Learning connects students to the real world.
- The only failure is giving up.
Our Journey
We started Gearbox Labs in 2019 to address the shortage of STEM professional in the world. Our work as teachers, trainers, mentors, publishers, and advocates led us to start Gearbox Labs to share our passion and commitment to students, teachers, and self-motivated learners.
To date, our programs and resources are now in 41 states and 35 countries. Our work has impacted 1000s of students from our home state in Wisconsin, USA, to as far as Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Philippines.
In 2020 Gearbox Labs became the producing organization for two Maker Faires in Wisconsin. ... view more
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Why Gearbox Labs Succeeds
We started Gearbox Labs just before a worldwide pandemic and succeeded. The quality of our work, the vision of the board of directors and support of our partners allowed us to pivot to virtual support and
Some of our more notable accomplishments Gearbox Labs supported
2025,
- South Milwaukee Middle School's winning entry in NASA Techrise
- South Milwaukee Middle School's State Finalist achievement in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
- South Milwaukee Middle School's entry in Growing Beyond Earth
2024
- South Milwaukee Middle School's State Finalist achievement in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
- Carmen Schools of Science and Technology Northwest Middle School's winning entry in NASA Techrise
2022
- we took on a special project and mentored nine students from two different middle schools. All nine students qualified for the Badger State Science and Engineering Fair. Six of the students qualified for the Broadcom Masters Science Fair.
2021
- Support for Omro High School for their ice thickness measuring device. winning MIT-Lemelson
2020
- Support for Omro High School for their ice thickness measuring robot. The school won Samsung Solve for Tomorrow
2018
- Helping one student win the Mexican National Science and Engineering Competition 2018.
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Help us reach more students and teachers. Support our work in schools and out of schools.