Hands-on Alternative Education
Posted on April 29, 2026

The key to engaged successful students is hands-on skills and certifications that prepare them for whatever comes next. 

At ATS Midwest, we help any-size classrooms or organizations across Michigan and the Midwest to develop hands-on learning programs and courses that lead to high-skill, high-wage careers. Whether you're looking to add equipment to your curriculum or need more support with a full program or anything in between, we're here to assist and support preparing the next generation of STEM and workforce talent. 

Getting Started Doesn’t Need To Be Complicated

You don’t need to build a full program overnight. Many successful programs start small and grow over time. Here are a few ways to begin:

Start with one hands-on learning area that aligns to your students interests

Integrate short, skill-based activities into the existing curriculum

Use eLearning to introduce concepts before hands-on application

Focus on building engagement first, then expand into pathways

Create Opportunities That Stick With Students

For students where traditional instruction didn't work, alternative education is where things finally start to click.

Hands-on learning gives them the opportunity to:

  • Build confidence through real success
  • Discover interests they didn’t know they had
  • Develop skills that lead to real careers 

 

Choosing Where to Start

Explore High-Interest, Career-Connected Learning Areas

Consider what local industry partners need and what topics might interest your students. We cover all areas of STEM and CTE, from HVAC to automation to Artificial Intelligence; we've got eLearning and learning systems to support it. Here are just a few places you can start!

Manufacturing

Explore manufacturing fundamentals like electricity, measurement, tools, and safety procedures.

Coding

Use video games to teach math, computer science, and coding while building a portfolio of student-built games.

 

Welding

Introduce welding concepts and build muscle memory before students step into a real welding booth.

Artificial Intelligence

Get behind the scenes of how AI works through hands-on projects like building a bionic hand and coding intelligent systems.

Healthcare

Practice CPR procedures in a safe, controlled environment while building foundational healthcare skills.

Support Every Step of the Way

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. We work with educators to help:

Identify the right starting point based on your program

Align hands-on learning to career pathways and certifications

Provide instructor training and ongoing support to build confidence in implementation

Help identify funding opportunities, including grants and community partnerships

Take the first step.