Bringing STEM Education, Game-Style to SXSW EDU
August 27, 2026
Crowds moved quickly through SXSW EDU’s packed halls of panels and activations. Those who paused at the Breakout Box didn’t just stop; they stepped inside. Within moments, guests found themselves in an immersive, escape‑room‑style challenge that transforms career exploration into a fast‑paced, collaborative experience rooted in real‑world manufacturing concepts.
Learning Undefeated brought the Breakout Box - the result of over six years of collaboration with the Caterpillar Foundation - to Austin to give educators, students and conference attendees a firsthand look at how game‑based simulations can spark excitement for STEM careers. The Breakout Box, part of a program called Manufacture Your Path (MYP), is one of Learning Undefeated’s fleet of 16 mobile labs which brings this hands-on, interactive experience directly to schools. Under the guidance of Learning Undefeated’s team of engineers and experts, students undergo a simulated challenge that relies on teamwork across stations, critical thinking, and Career and Technical Education skills, all of which are designed to mirror a real-world manufacturing process.
Launched in 2025 by Learning Undefeated and the Caterpillar Foundation, MYP has already visited 22 schools across Texas, reaching more than 450 teachers and 12,000 students. This year, at SXSW EDU, Asha Varghese, President of the Caterpillar Foundation; Brian Gaines, CEO of Learning Undefeated; Dr. Benedetta Naglieri, Education Director of Learning Undefeated; and Jeremy Weir, an engineering teacher at Seguin High School joined a panel titled “Game On: Reimagining Career Exploration Through Play,” to discuss how this approach to STEM education is making a real difference for educators and students.
Why did the Caterpillar Foundation and Learning Undefeated choose to develop a hands-on, game-style simulation for career exploration?
Asha: The collaboration with Learning Undefeated began during the COVID‑19 pandemic, when the education sector was grappling with the rapid shift to online “distance learning.” What resonated immediately was Learning Undefeated’s ability to help educators make engaging and relevant connections between classroom content and real-world career pathways, aligning with our goals at the Caterpillar Foundation.
But we wanted to ground this work in data to inform us of the solutions we would eventually implement. After a series of focus groups, including two made up of nearly 60 Texas teachers spanning grades 6 through 12, we found one common thread: Kids are not aware of the types of jobs or pathways out there, and there isn’t a system in place to properly raise awareness while also helping students achieve these careers.
We uncovered a clear theme: students lack awareness of the variety of career pathways available to them, and there is no consistent system guiding them toward these opportunities. This led the Caterpillar Foundation and Learning Undefeated to create a solution that would bring these careers directly to young learners in an engaging way that captures attention and stays with students beyond that one experience.
Dr. Naglieri added: Exactly, The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Mission was designed using the same elements that make students love video games. Parents and educators know just how easily – and how long – a game or a challenge can capture a kid’s attention. Games allow students to fail without feeling like they failed. They can try again. With game-based learning, students are building their problem-solving skills.
Through the Breakout Box, students gain confidence and skills in a supportive environment, making learning both engaging and meaningful.
When did you realize this approach was truly working for students and teachers?
Jeremy Weir: I see firsthand with my students when something sticks and when it doesn’t. I brought the Breakout Box to my classroom twice and implemented the in-class kits from Learning Undefeated as well. I live in Seguin, Texas, a city with more than 50 manufacturing industries – but more often than not, my students have no awareness of what manufacturing really means. I can bring students to a factory on career day or industry day, but without tactile opportunities to try something firsthand, they leave industry day with little added awareness of what a career could look like. The Breakout Box changes that completely.
Brian Gaines added: I’m seeing Manufacture Your Path and the other programs we’ve implemented make a difference across the country, and I see it really changing the way we're talking about career exploration and career readiness across the state. The momentum behind this kind of learning is picking up and it is really energizing to see the impact this is having on students and the potential it has to be transformative for communities.
Ready to bring these resources to your classroom?
To learn more about how Learning Undefeated resources can benefit your classroom, contact the team at manufactureyourpath@learningundefeated.org or explore resources on their website including:
- The Breakout Box: Manufacturing Challenge - 35-minute game-based, immersive adventure where students apply computational thinking and problem-solving to successfully run an eyewear manufacturing facility.
- MFG Loaner Kit Program - After completing a training (virtual or in person), educators can borrow these free, reusable kits that support up to 30 students and can be kept for up to one month. Each lesson fits within a standard 40–60 minute class period and focuses on key topics such as Design for Manufacturing, Lean Manufacturing, and Metrology.
- Educator Training - Sign up for an upcoming 90-minute professional development training (virtual or in person) training.
- MFG Nights - Events showcasing local manufacturing companies to increase awareness of career opportunities and create meaningful connections through hands-on engagement that bring students, families, and local industry partners together.
- Careers Portal - Provides students and educators with ongoing access to resources, including information on events, internships, and manufacturing career pathways ensuring engagement continues well beyond the initial experience.