The Power of (STEM)2

Series 5 Episode 5: Earth Day Episode - How Can AI Protect Wildlife and Teach Families About Nature?  Earth Day special education we look at ways AI is being utilized by scientists and wildlife experts to protect rare and endangered species around the world ( click here ). We also examine how NASA is utilizing AI to better predict extreme weather in order to help local communities ( click here )....

Series 5 Episode 4: Thematic Experimentation and Prototyping with 6-8 Grade Students - Using AI for Thematic Problem Solving and Experimentation in STEM:  What role does AI play in early secondary education? In Episode 4, we begin exploring AISE at the secondary levels in Grades 7-9 by introducing a forth class and educational model of science education that includes AI modelling and early prototy...

Series 5 Episode 3: Science Fairs and Experimentation with 3-5 Grade Students - Using AI for Phenomenon-Based Experimentation That Includes Authentic Testing and Critical Analysis: What role does AI play in the elementary school science fair? In Episode 3, we explore how the science fair might be transformed and enhanced by allowing students to utilize educational AI to explore experimental ideas...

Series 5 Episode 2: What role might AI play in K-3 science education?: Episode 2 starts by noting the value of science learning for K-2 students on “hands-on” and directly observable phenomenon about the “Local Cosmos” as experienced by children in these grade levels. As a result digital and virtual learning with AI technologies plays a minimal role as the educational focus within these grades is...

Series 5 Episode 1: Exploring “The Cosmos” with K-12 Students Augmented by AI - A Developmental Model for Science Educators: In Episode 1 of our fifth series we start with a discussion on phenomenon-based learning in science education. Starting with real life examples of how science researchers and developers utilize AI in medical research, wildlife conservation, and the development of advanced te...

Series 4 Episode 5 (Bonus Episode): Big School Birdwatch in Britain and Nature Journaling - In the fifth bonus episode of Series 4 we will be exploring a fantastic birding program in Great Britain by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The Big School Birdwatch of 2024 ( https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/get-ready-for-big-schools-birdwatch ) is one of the largest school and citizen...

Series 4 Episode 4: STEM 2023 in Review and Plans for 2024 - In the fourth episode of Series 4 we will be looking at the biggest news articles in science (India's Rover) & (NASA's Bennu Program via Smithsonian) , Technology ( ht(AI Innovation via Smithsonian) , and Engineering (U ht(US Fusion Engineering via CNN)l completing three summer engineering challenges students can complete and share a...

Libraries, Museums, Parks and other STEM Programs - In the third episode we will be discussing free and low cost STEM programs and activities for children. In the news we will be discussing informal science activities for children in Canada (click here) . You can find information on Canada's Live-it Program here as well ( https://liveit.earth/ ).

Series 4 Episode 2: Finding STEM in Nature: In Episode 2 of our fourth series we are going to explore STEM activities students can easily complete in backyards, local parks, and other common outdoor settings. We will be connecting our outdoor adventures in nature to science journals and other writing/drasing activities. In the news we will be talking about Audubon Bird Count (click here) and UK's...

Series 4 Episode 1: A Summer of STEM Explorations - In the first episode of our fourth series we will be exploring summer STEM activities that teachers and students can complete on their own or with family and friends over the summer. You can download the 2023 Summer STEM bookmark by clicking the link ( bookmark ) on our homepage. In the news we will be looking at summer gaps and opportunities for...

Series 3 Episode 4: Multicultural STEM with Seeds from All Around the World - In the fourth episode of Series 3 we will be examining multiculturally inclusive gardens that can be cooperatively designed by diverse students and their families working in partnership with teachers and other garden experts. Our discussion will be based on a recent capstone project by Allegra Watson at the University of...

In the third episode we will be discussing Exceptional STEM ideas and practices for students in special education as it relates to learning about plants and gardens. In the news we will be discussing a special school garden project from England (click here ). The Lane County School Garden Resource ( click here ) on the benefits and challenges of exceptional gardening will be explored as well.

In Episode 2 of our third series we are going to explore common misconceptions 5, 10 and 15 year olds have about plants and food systems. In the news we will be discussing research on protecting agricultural biodiversity ( click here ) and the use of drones and robotics in agriculture ( click here) . We will also be discussing the value of school gardens in K-12 education.

In the first episode of our third series we will be exploring STEM education as it relates to seeds, school/community gardens and partnerships with farms and other food producers in STEM. Starting with simple window seed solariums that are easily constructed ( see photo on website for example ), we will be discussing some of the diverse school gardens and programs from New Zealand ( click here ) a...

Series 3 (Bonus Episode): Earth Day Special Edition of (STEM)2 - What are the Mid Century Challenges and Opportunities in K-12 STEM Education? - In the first bonus episode of Series 3 we will be exploring STEM news and events related to Earth Day celebrated around the world. We will be revisiting a landmark study in education from the United States: A Nation at Risk in environmental contexts and l...

In the second bonus episode of Series 2 we will be looking at ChatGPT (click here for link to program ) and whether or not it is useful in science museums, nature centres, and other informal STEM learning programs. More specifically, we focus how ChatGPT might operate as a digital assistant in teaming and finding important educational linkages between formal and informal science education. In the...

In the first bonus episode of Series 2 we will be looking at ChatGPT (click here for link to program ) and whether or not it is useful in creating inclusive STEM lessons for students with exceptionalities or who are learning English. We will be testing the software for STEM lessons in the primary grades using the science curriculum from the Australia, Canada, and the United States. In the news we...

In the fourth episode of Series 2 we will be looking at the sun and constellations through multiculturally inclusive lessons and activities.​ Starting with an exploration on how individuals and communities view and experience the sun through diverse cultural lenses, we will discuss how educators can work with their students, families, and diverse communities to create science lessons and activitie...

In the third episode we will be exploring ways to learn about the sun and other stars in the constellation for students who see the night sky through exceptional eyes and other senses. Key to exceptional STEM lessons related to the sun revolves around activities that include tactile models and digital augmentation such as the use of solar powered toys, buzzers, and miniature buildings. Audio descr...

In episode 2 of our second series we are going to explore what the sun means for children and the larger communities they live in. More specifically we will be talking about shadow and solar toy experiments with 5 year olds. We will then extend solar learning and energy activities for 10 and 15 year olds with a deeper understanding of sun as a type of star, and the significance of solar energy in...

In the first episode we will be exploring the brightest light we see, feel or experience as children (the sun) and exploring the nature of stars. As we discover in this episode, the sun is more than the sky's lightbulb for children to learn about. Stars like the sun have provided light (visible and invisible), heat and energy for both living systems and human systems as long as both existed. In ST...

In this second bonus episode we check-in on the recent launch of Artemis 1. We will explore what the next few weeks look like and the remarkable engineering related to the Artemis 1 rocket and Orion space capsule as engineering lessons and activities for students. You can see a live recording of the Artemis 1 launch at this link on our website. The history of lunar rockets from the Apollo Era to A...

Artemis 1, Canada & The Moon Squared: In this bonus episode we check-in on the new November launch date for Artemis 1. We also check-in on educational programs by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) which is set to have their first astronaut on the moon in 2024. You can access CSA educational programs at this link (click here). Finally, we look at the Moon's connection to society, common misconception...

In the final podcast of Series 1 we will be discussing the multicultural STEM and its importance in education. Inclusive STEM within multicultural contexts include activities related to the multicultural histories and representations of the diverse scientists, inventors, engineers and mathematicians involved in STEM. In STEM news we look at the diverse scientists and engineers with NASA's Artemis...

In the fourth episode of our pilot series we will be exploring the idea of exceptional STEM with a discussion on the educational research related to the importance of creating STEM experiences and learning activities for all exceptional learners including cognitive, neural, physical, and social/emotional exceptional learners. In STEM news we will be checking in on NASAs Artemis 1 curriculum and su...