The State of STEM in Higher Education
Posted by Science Interactive on February 3, 2026
STEM labs are at a turning point. As on-campus enrollment plateaus and online demand accelerates, the line between physical and virtual learning has all but disappeared. Institutions aren’t asking if they should offer online labs but rather how to make them just as rigorous, engaging, and effective.
The Annual Lab Report reveals what’s happening behind the scenes through the voices of instructors, students, and STEM leaders to show key challenges and where the biggest opportunities lie. Beyond enrollment trends, this year’s report explores:
- Faculty and student challenges impacting preparedness, confidence, and engagement
- Effectiveness across lab modalities, from on-campus to hybrid to fully online
- Pre-lab design strategies that build readiness and improve outcomes
- Allied Health growth, as programs scale to meet surging workforce demand
- AI’s growing influence, from grading and simulation to academic integrity and skill-building
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