In a 2020 report on the future of jobs, the World Economic Forum predicted that 85 million jobs may be displaced by a shift in the division of labor between humans and machines, while 97 million new roles may emerge that are more adapted to this new balance. When it comes to those future workforce roles, according to a 2019 report from LinkedIn, 92 percent of talent professionals said that soft skills, including creativity, adaptability and problem-solving, are equally or more important than technical skills. In turn, the challenge for educators is twofold: equipping students with the technical skills necessary for a tech-driven world while fostering the creativity and problem-solving abilities that will set them apart.
Current K-12 curricula often fall short in preparing students for these evolving demands. Addressing this gap requires that educators incorporate practical, hands-on learning experiences, making the tools of Industry 5.0 accessible and engaging for students at all levels from an earlier age.
BLENDING TECHNOLOGY AND CREATIVITY
In this new industrial era, technical proficiency is only part of the equation and creativity will define the workforce of tomorrow. Hands-on learning technologies, such as robotics kits, 3D printers and programmable drones, provide an engaging way to teach students both hard skills, such as coding and data analytics, and soft skills, like collaboration and innovation. These tools should be embedded into lesson plans, and their real-world applications should be explored. For instance, a program might use drones to demonstrate principles of physics, while robotics kits enable students to explore engineering concepts through hands-on building and experimentation.
With those kinds of hands-on lessons, students learn abstract concepts in an interactive way that also brings creativity to the forefront. Each project demands an element of problem-solving, testing and iteration, which are essential in industries that require increasing adaptability. In most cases, these technologies can have a range of applications in different lesson plans, so students can explore the practical applications that interest them most — or can even go as far as to build and code their own imagined uses for these devices.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING BEYOND THE SCREEN
While digital literacy is critical, engaging with hands-on technology provides a unique opportunity for students to see industries as increasingly tech-enabled. When students work with technology like drones, they’re not just building technical skills — they’re gaining insights into how technology is transforming fields such as logistics, agriculture and more.
Drones, for instance, perform complex tasks like last-mile delivery and crop monitoring, demonstrating how traditional sectors are embracing cutting-edge technology. In the classroom, drones can be a bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications, showing students how these industries rely on both innovation and problem-solving skills.
BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND COMPETENCY THROUGH COLLABORATION
Collaborative projects involving hands-on technology foster teamwork and leadership. Students working on group coding assignments or building robots learn to share ideas, solve problems together and take ownership of their roles. Hands-on learning becomes a vehicle for both technical and social-emotional growth, offering an opportunity to bridge communication between students who might struggle with social and emotional learning skills in traditional settings.
Physically interfacing with tools like robots and drones, with the support of educators and learning guardians, helps more students to see themselves as “STEM people.” That notion used to be limited to students who were either naturally gifted in core STEM curricula or who attended advantaged districts with greater-than-usual STEM supports. Hands-on technology has the power to level that playing field and help feed a more diverse future STEM workforce pipeline full of enthusiastic candidates with varied strengths. Collaborative, tactile experiences truly build students’ confidence and interpersonal abilities, preparing them to carve out their career niche regardless of their learning style.
PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE WITH PRACTICAL APPLICATION
As we move into an increasingly automated world, the ability to apply judgment, strategic thinking and adaptability will set individuals apart in the workforce. Hands-on technologies give students a head start on these things, potentially cultivating critical skills and preparing them to tackle complex, unpredictable problems that extend beyond the classroom.
For example, in logistics, drones offer solutions to enduring challenges like workforce shortages. They have the potential to supplement the routes of truck drivers or distribute medical supplies to remote areas. In the classroom, students can simulate these real-world scenarios while gaining experience in fields where innovation and technology are becoming essential. These exercises may very well be the seeds of the award-winning, grant-funded solutions that will shape industries over the next decade, providing students with a unique glimpse into the real-world implications of technological integration.
INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF INNOVATORS
The ultimate goal of hands-on technology is to ignite students’ curiosity, prompting them to think beyond textbooks. From solving local environmental issues with drones to developing new product prototypes, these tools unlock students’ potential to become creators and problem-solvers.
As Industry 5.0 redefines the skilled workforce, educators, policymakers and industry leaders must collaborate to integrate these technologies into curricula, supporting innovation from the ground up. By fostering adaptability and confidence, we can prepare today’s students to lead with ingenuity and resilience in the workforce of tomorrow.
Rob Harvey is the executive chairman and co-founder of For The Win Robotics, a STEM education company that makes hardware and software for flying drones.
