The Power of (STEM)2

In this bonus episode we journey through the remarkable history of science by exploring the lives and discoveries of ten of the most influential scientists of the past 250 years. From Albert Einstein's revolutionary theories of relativity and Charles Darwin's explanation of evolution to Marie Curie's pioneering work on radioactivity and Alan Turing's foundations of modern computing, we examine how...

Series 9 Episode 4: Island STEAM - Protecting the Past and Fostering the Future in Art and Culture —   In fourth episode we are examining aesthetics and art-based education in island STEAM. More specifically we will be looking at how the worlds thousands of uninhabited and inhabited islands provide a rich natural and cultural mosaic of curiosity and arts-based inspiration connected to the fields o...

Series 9 Episode 3: Island STEAM - Engineering and Ecology that Includes 3D Island Building Activities for Students —   In the third episode of our Island STEAM series we explore 3D island modelling and building can enhance students understanding of science and engineers in ways that particularly benefit our visually exceptional learners. Like information presented in previous episodes, the physic...

In the second episode of our Island STEAM series we explore how science and technology are utilized in helping islands adapt to the technological and environmental challenges posed by climate change explored in our first episode. More specifically we look at how Greenland is using long range drones to document receding ice pack and how small Pacific Island nations and the Canary Islands are integr...

Series 9 Episode 1: Island STEAM - Why Teachers & Students Should Explore Island Life in Schools —   In the first episode of our Island STEAM series we explore STEAM education within the context of the world’s diverse islands and communities. There more than 600,000 diverse islands around the world with at least 11,000 of them inhabited by people. More specifically, we explore how large scient...

Series 8 Bonus Episode 8: Integrating Multicultural & Environmental Questioning into Earth Day STEAM Lessons/Activities  -   In this bonus episode of the 8th series, we explore the importance of integrating critical questioning strategies into STEAM lessons and activities. More specifically, for Earthday lessons, we look at ways to tie inquiry based learning around the value of community-based...

Series 8 Bonus Episode 8: EarthDay News in STEAM Education  -   In this bonus episode of the 8th series, Michael explores changing seasons and STEAM news related to April’s Earth Day. In world with major events, it is particularly important for primary and secondary teachers to find ways to get learners outside into nature and/or develop lessons showcasing how different societies and local communi...

Series 8 Bonus Episode 6: Vygotsky, Piaget, Driver and New Research in Children’s Cognitive Development in the Age of AI  -   In this bonus episode of the 8th series, the host explores the need to revisit Piaget’s Stage Theories, Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development and Driver’s seminal work on understanding children’s conceptions and misconceptions in science. Revisiting this work is particula...

Series 8 Episode 5: 10 Graduate and Doctoral Research Topics in STEM for 2026 (Topics 9 & 10 key research areas) -   In the fifth episode of this series, we continue exploring the most important educational research topics in STEM & STEAM graduate and doctoral students might want to consider in 2026. In this episode we examine educational research needed in the area of STEM/STEAM micro cre...

Series 8 Episode 4: 10 Graduate and Doctoral Research Topics in STEM for 2026 (Topics 7 & 8 of 10 key research areas) -   In the fourth episode of this series, we continue exploring the most important educational research topics in STEM & STEAM graduate and doctoral students might want to consider in 2026. In this episode we explore educational research topics in STEM related the need to m...

Series 8 Episode 3: 10 Graduate and Doctoral Research Topics in STEM for 2026 (Topics 5 & 6 of 10 key research areas) -   In the third episode of 2026 we continue exploring the most important educational research topics in STEM & STEAM graduate and doctoral students might want to consider in 2026. In this episode we explore educational research topics in STEM related the need to more fully...

Series 8 Episode 2: 10 Graduate and Doctoral Research Topics in STEM for 2026 (Topics 3 & 4 of 10 key research areas) -   In the second episode of 2026 we continue exploring the most important educational research topics in STEM & STEAM graduate and doctoral students might want to consider in 2026. In the second episode we explore educational research topics in STEM related the need to mor...

Series 8 Episode 1: 10 Graduate and Doctoral Research Topics in STEM for 2026 (Topics 1 & 2 of 10 key research areas) -   In the first episode of 2026 we explore the most important educational research topics in STEM & STEAM graduate and doctoral students might want to consider in 2026. In the first episode we explore educational research topics in STEM related  the need to understand rapi...

Series 7 Episode 5: The Big News in Science and Education in North America for 2025 -  In the final episode for Series 7 we focus on the big science and education news in Mexico, the United States and Canada. Canada sees a surge in science research investment while there are significant reversals and funding challenges in the United States and Mexico in a critical time for STEM education and inves...

Series 7 Episode 4: The Unsung Heroes of Science Education - Elementary School Teachers -  In the fourth episode we focus on the unsung heroes of science education - elementary school teachers! As academic generalists, elementary school teachers bring a lot to the table when it comes to teaching and learning in STEM. Educational strengths including their understanding of cross-curricular learning,...

Series 7 Episode 3: Understanding the Environmental & Labour Costs of AI in STEM Education -  In the third episode we explore how the environmental and labour impacts of new AI technologies may be impacting educational systems. Like earlier episodes in this series, we start by exploring how transformational technologies such as refrigeration and lead fuel cars and trucks may have benefitted so...

Series 7 Episode 2: STEM Education Opportunities in the United States and Beyond -  In the second episode we explore how historical failures in STEM education including closing the US Department of Education in the United States as a model includes opportunities to re-imagine STEM education both in the United States and beyond. Like the first episode, we look at the history of public schools and h...

Series 7 Episode 1: STEM Education at Risks in the United States and Beyond -   In the first episode we explore how the decision to shutter the US Department of Education in the United States will likely negatively impact STEM education at both the state and international levels. Starting with a historical discussion of federal involvement in STEM education since the landmark 1983 A Nation At Risk...

Series 6 Episode 6: (STEAM)2, Bonus Episode -The Future of Artemis & STEM in 2025:  In this bonus episode we look at the future of Artemis and biggest challenges in K-12 STEM education in 2025. More specifically, we look at the increasing challenges of science misconceptions and skepticism emerging in three key areas of science including research and education tied to climate science, the huma...

Series 6 Episode 5: (STEAM)2 - Multicultural STEAM and the Language of NASA's Artemis : This is a special series focused on my work at the national NSTA conference in New Orleans. In the 5th episode we explore mathematics and multicultural inclusion. More specifically we explore the language of NASA’s Artemis  program as it relates to multicultural inclusion in STEAM. Like its predecessor Apollo,...

Series 6 Episode 4: (STEAM)2, The Art of Moonbases and Egg-o-nauts!: In the 4th episode we explore STEAM, Art and Aesthetic Design. In addition to talking about the private and public sectors design and work together in building the complex Artemis rockets, rovers, robots, and habitats together, we explore the creative elements connected to the arts and aesthetic design as it relates to transformi...

Series 6 Episode 3: (STEAM)2 - Robots on the Moon and in Your Schools: In the 3rd episode we explore STEAM and exceptional learning. In addition to exploring robotics we explore the importance of inclusive and exceptionally based STEAM lessons and activities based on a learning model developed in a report called spiceE. We also discussed multi-sensory and team projects that are asset-based that ca...

Series 6 Episode 2: (STEAM)2 - NASA Artemis Lunar Robotics Challenge:  In the second episode, we explore STEAM and transformative learning. Like its predecessor program Apollo, there is a tremendous amount of innovation in technology evident in NASA’s Artemis program including the infusion of robotics, AI and 3D printing discussed in this episode. Artemis educators are also using media and technol...

Series 6 Episode 1: (STEAM)2, NASA and New Orleans NSTA Conference :  In the first episode of (STEAM)2 we layout the purpose of this series which is to explore NASA’s Artemis 2 Program within the context of the (STEAM)2 learning model for K-8 educators. Then focus on STEAM and Society as it relates to lessons about Artemis 2. For teachers we explore the Artemis Accords which are an international s...

In this bonus episode, we look at the rare emergence of two broods of cicadas in North America and how this rare double emergence of Broods 13 and 17 has not been seen in over two centuries. As trillions of noisy cicadas complete their life cycle, we discuss the benefits to ecosystems and share articles on how people celebrate cicadas around the world. In the news we share articles on Broods 13 an...