A recurring look at what we’re hearing from educators, EdTech leaders, and decision-makers, and how those conversations are shaping what comes next.

When Students See Themselves in Learning Technology, They Stay Curious

Every educator has seen the spark that happens when a lesson clicks. That spark doesn’t come from abstract definitions or distant examples. It comes from representation. 

When students see leaders, scientists, or innovators who look like them, or when lessons reflect their communities, passions, and lived experiences, their relationship with learning changes. Suddenly, chemistry isn’t just chemistry. It becomes skincare. Climate change. Healthcare. Sports. Cooking. Their world. When learning feels personal, curiosity becomes natural.

Chemistry, engineering, and other STEM disciplines are, at their core, creative fields. But many students only encounter them as memorized formulas and rigid lab instructions. This is where EdTech builders and educators can truly work together. When developers bring teachers into the room early and listen deeply, learning tools become more intuitive, more inclusive, and more connected to what students actually care about.

Last month, we attended EDUCAUSE in Nashville. Dr. Gizelle Sherwood , the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University , and also one of the creative minds behind REAL CHEM , didn’t just talk about chemistry. She demonstrated it with real experiments that connected with the conference attendees, igniting the interest of everyone who stopped by to watch. 

With her cosmetic chemistry course, Dr. Sherwood reminds her audience that STEM is everywhere. As she put it: “If I told you about makeup and how we were exploring color theory with our skincare routine, you wouldn’t think chemistry. But I can go beyond that and talk to you about reagents, about moisturizers, and I can show you how to make your own lotion. We’re chemists, so we can technically make all of these things.” 

This is what thoughtful EdTech makes possible: lessons that feel alive, courseware that tells real stories, and learning experiences that help every student see a place for themselves in STEM. Tools like REAL CHEM, built by educators like Dr. Sherwood, show how powerful it is when representation and real-world relevance guide innovation.

Until next time, thanks for reading The EdTech Pulse.