STEM Everyday

What if a robot for kids was more than just a robot out of a box? mAIk Robotics uses AI together with a camera to be a platform for kids to design their own recycled robot. Using mAIk , you can write code to create machine learning models for image recognition and robot control, but you can also do all of this using natural-language prompts, with no prior background or complex technical skills. Th...

It’s no secret that students’ interest in STEM keeps growing. With an overwhelming number of different fields to pursue and growing opportunities for high schoolers, where do they start? Summer Science Program International (SSPI) helps students develop a deeper love for STEM and research through SSPI’s immersive, rigorous, and collaborative summer program. SSP is a highly competitive (10,000 appl...

Katie Minihan, Chief Impact Officer of Project Lead The Way (PLTW), shares why engagement might be the missing metric in education and how students who solve real-world problems through hands-on, collaborative learning see stronger attendance, achievement, and long-term outcomes. School and district leaders need a solution that cultivates confidence and career readiness for kids from elementary to...

What happens when storytelling meets science? What happens when learning the periodic table becomes as common as other foundational skills like the alphabet or adding facts? Dr. Colleen Kelley is a retired chemistry professor turned storyteller, creator, and champion of "Molecular Literacy." As the founder of Kids’ Chemical Solutions , she’s on a mission to make chemistry fun, visual, an...

How fitting that the 314th episode of STEM Everyday would be about Math and in March (if you know, you know π). For more than 18 years, World Maths Day in March has brought together millions of students in an epic celebration of learning. From record-breaking speeds in the Live Mathletics platform, to incredible displays of problem-solving skills, it’s a day where numbers truly unite kids. Created...

YouthRoots has a mission to bridge the gap between generations, fostering connections that open up a world of opportunities in STEM fields for young minds. They provide students with a glimpse into the STEM fields they can pursue through interviews of STEM professionals. Using a holistic approach to STEM education, YouthRoots creates and leads students in hands on activities and engaging lessons,...

The Clueless is a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team made up of 13 members from 8 middle/high schools across San Diego, California. Through FTC, they are determined to grow as a team, have fun, and leave a lasting impact on their community. In their 9 years of competing, they have set the world record twice ('22 & '24) and qualified to the World Championship 6 times, where they've...

STEM education requires a solid foundation of skills. Without basic math and reading proficiency, children are not prepared for the opportunities awaiting them in a world of changing careers. Chris Papst is the lead investigative reporter for Project Baltimore , Fox45 News’ ongoing investigation into Maryland’s public education system. As a national award-winning reporter, his work has led to the...

Doug Scott has taught 9th-12th grade engineering, robotics, and technology since 2003. His current role at Hopkinton High School includes being the district leader for Business, Tech & Engineering in grades 6–12. Doug has led numerous robotics and competitive technology teams to state and regional championships, as well as national and international competitions, growing the robotics program f...

Dr Jennifer Berry is the CEO of SmartLab (an education pioneer in STEM, transforming traditional learning environments into project-based learning experiences since 1987). She has previously held leadership roles at other education organizations, each time bringing her expertise and experience as a parent and veteran of stage performance to build better learning opportunities for every kid every d...

Chuck Ridgeway is the Automation Technology Manager & Senior Customer Advocate at Horner Automation in Indianapolis, Indiana. As an engineer in the automation and robotics industry for over 30 years, Chuck has seen both the changes and valuable uses of automation and robotics in our world, and is an important voice for educators to hear about the value of STEM learning for future careers. Horn...

Chad Miller teaches Technology, Engineering, & Design as well as Computer Science in North Carolina. But he wasn't always a teacher. His experiences as a computer aided draftsman helped him learn the business of architectural lighting, and in the process problem solving, iteration, and more skills that kids in CTE courses need. As an educator, he has always been passionate about STEM and...

For over 15 years, Simply Technologies has been sneaking digital manufacturing into classrooms—one buzzing spindle and slightly terrified teacher at a time. So far, they’ve helped over 3,500 North American schools bring STEM to life in very real, very loud, very safe, and very hands-on ways. Their father-son company, Simply Technologies, has (unofficially but confidently) placed more CNC machines...

With a cardboard box and a spark of imagination, in 2008, Makedo was born. More than just tools, Makedo empowers kids to become problem-solvers, innovators, and collaborators. Today, Makedo isn’t just a product line of blue screws & cardboard tools; it’s a vibrant, global community of makers dedicated to building a better future for people and the planet through imaginative, purposeful play, o...

After 10 years as Quizizz, a new way and a new focus has necessitated the change to a new name: Wayground.  Kyle Niemis is the Head of Community at Wayground (formerly Quizizz), educator, and co-founder of ClassroomQ. "Wayground provides educators with a supplemental learning platform that brings together instruction, practice, and assessment in an AI-supported hub that helps students hit gra...

PJ Creek was teaching social studies and science in middle school. He always referenced his periodic table poster on the wall, but didn't have anything similar to help with social studies. His problem lead to creating the Periodic Table of the Presidents, a poster that shows information about the presidents in a periodic table shape and style.  That poster lead to more great infographics on t...

Robotics education is highly incorporated into upper grade levels because of its connection to careers. But elementary robotics is often one-off projects and fun time. The leadership at Woodland Hills School District in Pennsylvania is ensuring that every kid gets to do a lot more with robotics.  Tina Dietrich is the STEM Coordinator at Woodland Hills School District, where she leads initiatives t...

As education faces new challenges from technology and an ever-changing labor market, the need for public-private partnership in education is as important as ever. Local governments and business organizations everywhere are realizing this need, and building partnerships and advocacy groups to help make these necessary connections. The state of Michigan has long relied on public-private partnerships...

Born a patriot, Dr. Leslie Gruis spent 30 years as a mathematician and intelligence officer at the National Security Agency, where she helped develop technology solutions that balanced national security with civil rights. She later served at U.S. Cyber Command and the National Intelligence Council. Now retired, she writes and speaks on privacy, surveillance, and democracy—making complex topics acc...

Elliot Lichtman started teaching online classes in computer science when he was a freshman in high school. Small classes quickly grew into a series of larger and longer offerings, and from those, his book The Computer Always Wins was born.  Elliot is currently a sophomore at Yale University. In The Computer Always Wins , Elliot Lichtman teaches some of computer science’s most powerful concepts in...

What can a couple of high school students do to encourage STEM interest and skills? For Edison Law and Revaant Srivastav, that meant starting the California STEM Academy , an online option to provide tutoring help in subjects such as Math, Science, Coding, and PSAT prep. They also help students with passion projects, as well as providing summer "boot camps" to build up specific STEM skil...

Should we teach our kids "21st century skills" or should we rethink what that means and start teaching "workplace durable skills"? Dan Thomas just retired from a 30+ year career as an educator in New York. He's been a STEM and PBL consultant, and a LEGO education, Makey Makey, and Code.org trainer. As a teacher, he's sought to revolutionize education through play and...

At what age should we begin focusing on STEM learning? According to Jeremy Anderson, the data overwhelmingly shows that students are already forming interest and thoughts on STEM careers when they're in elementary school. That makes it vital to look at how we include STEM career introduction at a younger age. In discussions about STEM, math often takes a backseat as focus shifts to science an...

The education software space is filled with plenty of choices for helping kids design and create. That's especially true in the CAD space, as programs like Tinkercad appeal to younger kids and Fusion/AutoCAD/OnShape & more are great for older students.  SelfCAD is a new software choice that combines the best of block/shape design from Tinkercad and the higher level design of traditional C...

For more than 40 years, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) has supported the brightest minds in STEM, with its Astronaut Scholars making groundbreaking contributions—from launching payloads into space to pioneering agricultural innovations and advancing congenital heart disease research. The prestigious Astronaut Scholarship is known nationwide for being among the largest merit-based monet...