The STEM Space

Show Summary: In this episode, Claire speaks with Ike Theriot, a NASA EVA Flight Controller and Astronaut Instructor, who highlights the power of curiosity and the importance of following your passions in the space industry. He shares personal experiences in working for NASA and training astronauts, showing how a love for exploration shaped his career. Tune in to discover how pursuing your interes...

Show Summary: Natasha and Claire discuss the importance of teaching engineering in the context of real-world engineering challenges. They work to define what constitutes a true engineering problem and highlight the significance of providing students with authentic engineering experiences that mimic the complexities and challenges of the real world. Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podca...

Show Summary: What is your greatest challenge as a STEM educator? In this episode, Claire and Natasha respond to concerns from K-12 STEM teachers who posted their challenges in The STEM Space Facebook group. We tackle everything from getting kids to accept math is part of science, overcoming learned helplessness, and juggling hundreds of students a week. Listen in for this rapid-fire session! Link...

Show Summary: In this episode of The STEM Space, Claire and Natasha answer a question from a listener: “For those of you who teach multiple grades in a day, how do you organize all your stuff that goes with each class?” Claire, a K-8 STEM teacher, gives us all her tips and tricks for managing the STEM supply chaos! Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 121. The Importance of...

Show Summary: In this episode of The STEM Space, Claire navigates the whirlwind of back-to-school season, sharing favorite moments from her K-8 STEM classroom, including a fun bar graph icebreaker that got her students engaged. Natasha reflects on her daughter's transition to 1st grade and how she loves to find math in everyday life. Together, they discuss how STEM classrooms can bring subjects li...

Show Summary: In this episode of The STEM Space, Natasha recounts a dramatic story from her trip to Greece, while Claire hopes she's finally learned a valuable lesson. We also discuss gearing up for the back-to-school season including some unique finds from Claire’s Amazon wish list for her STEM classroom! Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 98. Who is an Engineer? 116. Ba...

Show Summary: Claire and Natasha continue their discussions with Dr. Rachelle Pedersen on best practices in STEM education. Hear how she gets students to discover engineering design criteria and other ways you can engage your students in developing engineering skills. Accept the challenge with us to highlight the skills and stories of real engineers with our free interview questions and tune in to...

Show Summary: Claire and Natasha have another chat with Dr. Rachelle Pedersen on how STEM teachers should incorporate the engineering standards in NGSS and beyond. Gain insight from the perspective of three engineers with research-backed education philosophies on what your students need to know about engineering in K-12. The answer may surprise you! Tune in to hear strategies and ideas for providi...

Show Summary: Natasha is joined by her former classmate Dr. Rachelle Pedersen, an engineer turned educator who is an Assistant Professor of STEM Education at Texas Tech University. Natasha and Rachelle reflect on their time at the American Society of Engineering Education Conference, including how to move beyond repetitive engineering design challenges. Rachelle and Natasha are also founding board...

Show Summary: In this episode, Natasha is joined by Vivify STEM Education Specialist Lauren Kelly who shares some exciting updates from a recent computer science conference in Fort Worth, Texas. She shares all about how to use AI in the classroom, an inexpensive technology tool called Micro:Bit, and a brief overview of the newly released technology application standards for Texas Teachers. Lauren...

Show Summary: Are you a teacher who has had an amazing experience? What about a lesson gone awry? Did it happen to be weather-related? Things have heated up in Texas as Natasha tells Claire all about an adventure in the summer heat with STEM and how teachers can adapt when things are not exactly going according to plan. Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 57. How to Organi...

Show Summary: Claire and Natasha continue the conversation around how to build intuition for engineering design challenges. What should happen during the brainstorm phase of a design challenge? How do we intentionally support design decisions, especially around material selection? We also challenge the NGSS focus on design practices and propose a shift towards learning of engineering sciences. Lin...

Show Summary: Are you needing to plan an engineering lesson for your K-12 classroom? In this episode of the STEM Space, Natasha and Claire unpack their approach to developing a Stage 2 lesson that centers around the engineering design process. They discuss how to be intentional with science concepts, including the difference between engineering sciences and natural sciences, how to support enginee...

Show Summary: In this episode of the STEM Space, Claire and Natasha have reached the final day of the 2023-2024 school year! From 3D printed bridges to literally smashing STEM projects, the final days of Claire’s STEM class were dramatic but filled with memorable learning moments. Natasha also celebrates her recent Ph. D. defense and shares some ideas for a summer STEM camp. Links from the Show: R...

Show Summary: On this episode of The STEM Space, Claire has just returned from a field trip with her STEM students to NASA's Johnson Space Center. She shares stories of meeting an astronaut, origins of ice cream in space, and an amazing tour led by a NASA mission control engineer! While she was away, Natasha hosted the 10th annual Space Colony Competition, where teams from across the globe showcas...

Show Summary: The STEM Space is back! Natasha and Claire have a quick chat between teaching, traveling, and finishing up a dissertation…it’s been a busy semester, but we have so much to talk about! This episode Claire shares her elaborate STEM sub plans, and Natasha discusses an AI lesson gone wrong. Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes “Pontificating” Episode: 135. What Sh...

Show Summary: On today’s episode of The STEM Space, Natasha chats with Luke Zollinger, the author of The Insider’s Guide to Engineering. Luke is a licensed professional engineer in mechanical and civil engineering. He is currently the chief engineer for a research and development company, which involves ballistic and blast testing, extreme forces, and other unconventional things. While working as...

Show Summary: Natasha chats with Maya Morales Garcia the Chief Program Officer at Beyond100K, an organization working to end the STEM teacher shortage by 2043, especially for those most excluded from STEM opportunities. The conversation covers her journey into STEM education and the importance of developing a positive STEM identity from a young age, especially for young girls. As a former science...

Show Summary: Claire and Natasha continue the discussion from episode 137 on the frustrations college professors expressed about the way engineering is taught in K-12 education. Many faculty complained that incoming engineering students are not prepared with basic math skills, and students have lots of misconceptions around professional engineering. How does this translate into improving K-12 STEM...

Show Summary: Listen in as Natasha and Claire provide essential tips for educators on preparing your students for the upcoming solar eclipse and organizing a memorable watch party. From understanding safety precautions to engaging lesson ideas, we explore how to effectively incorporate this rare celestial event into your classroom while ensuring students' safety. With insights on selecting viewing...

Show Summary: Dive into the frustrations college professors express about the way engineering is taught in K-12 education that are leaving students ill-prepared for higher education. Tune in to hear about the disconnect between K-12 and college-level engineering education as well as some of our experiences from the Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC). Links from the Show: Related The STE...

Show Summary: Unravel the secrets of heat transfer and explore the science behind why your tumbler keeps your drink cold. In this episode, we delve into innovative teaching strategies to make the complexities of heat transfer engaging for students. Discover the fascinating principles that govern thermal energy movement and gain insights into the clever design of insulated tumblers. Whether you're...

Show Summary: “Here is an essential principle of education: to teach details is to bring confusion; to establish the relationship between things is to bring knowledge.” Maria Montessori In this episode, Natasha and Claire delve into the subject of whether students should focus on acquiring specific knowledge or developing strong critical thinking skills built on discovering relationships. They exp...

Show Summary: Who is gifted and why does it matter? In this episode, Natasha and Claire reflect on their experiences of being rejected from an elementary gifted and talented program. They also discuss differences between motivation, exposure, and natural abilities and whether STEM education is only for those gifted students. We would love to get to know you in person and that opportunity is coming...

Show Summary: Are you in need of some CPE credit hours or just wanting to attend some great learning opportunities for educators? In this episode, Natasha and Claire share a list of their favorite conferences happening in 2024 and they want you to join them! The list includes SEEC, STEM Con & Beyond, STEM4Innovation, NSTA and more! Also, learn about a chance to meet up with Natasha and Claire...