The STEM Space

Show Summary: In this episode, Natasha shares her experience with a high school design competition. A design competition and any engineering design challenge should adequately relate to the real world of engineering while appropriately incorporating students’ prior knowledge. Claire and Natasha discuss how to approach this task and what steps can be taken to prepare students for true engineering....

Show Summary: In this episode, Natasha and Claire answer a listener's question about how to differentiate engineering design practices for each grade level. You will learn different approaches to preparing your students to become expert problem solvers by slowly introducing them to the engineering design process all while making it accessible and engaging for young minds. Links from the Show: Rela...

Show Summary: In this episode, Natasha chats with a STEM teacher from Portugal, Juan Nolasco. We connected through Space Club, and after hearing about all the amazing space STEM projects he does with students, we invited him to join us on the podcast! He is an electrical engineer turned educator with over 18 years of teaching engineering and technology to middle and high school students. Juan was...

Show Summary: Claire and Natasha delve into the topic of phenomenon-based science teaching as an engaging way to increase understanding of science concepts while improving science practices. However, we warn listeners that not all lessons labeled as phenomenon-based are equally effective! Natasha shares a simple but powerful lesson that starts with dropping cans of soda into water to enhance stude...

Show Summary: Texas teachers - are you ready for the new science standards coming next year? This was the hot topic at the recent Texas-based Conference for the Advancement of Science Teachers! Natasha shares her experiences attending the conferences and her thoughts on the similarities between these and the Next Generation Science Standards. Hint: they are both based on the same document, A Frame...

Show Summary: In this episode, Claire and Natasha emphasize the importance of introducing students to STEM careers at an early age. Learn how exposure to STEM fields can ignite curiosity and foster critical thinking skills in students, preparing them for the challenges of the future job market. The episode also highlights the significance of sharing the stories of famous scientists, showcasing how...

Show Summary: In this episode, Natasha and Claire take you on a journey beyond the classroom as they delve into the magical world of hosting a Star Party for students! Join them as they explore how you can teach the wonders of the universe through telescopes at an exciting school-wide event. Learn how to ignite the sparks of curiosity in your classroom by also donning enchanting costumes that brin...

Show Summary: How much time do you have with students in your STEM classroom? In this episode, Natasha and Claire share the findings of Vivify’s national survey of over 600 STEM teachers including the average time for elementary and middle school STEM classes. Who do you think has the most time? Tune in for the results plus how time is just one constraint in trying to achieve our goals for student...

Show Summary: In this episode, Claire and Natasha chat all about bones in celebration of the spooky season of Halloween! From designing a prosthetic leg to a creepy science project involving a rat skeleton, join us for a spine-tingling episode! Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 82. How to Rock It with Rockets 52: How to Host a STEM Family Night 120. Prioritizing Prototyp...

Show Summary: Join us for an episode filled with celestial celebrations as we guide you through hosting a Solar Eclipse Party using ready-made kits and embracing World Space Week through space-themed STEM lessons. Learn how to safely witness a solar eclipse and our favorite space lessons including Rockets and rovers. Whether you're a space enthusiast or just looking for some educational fun, this...

Show Summary: In this episode of The STEM Space, we talk all about motivation. How can teachers engage uninterested students? Natasha & Claire chat about their own struggles with motivation and strategies they have tried to increase intrinsic motivation, curiosity, and engagement in their classrooms. Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 50. How to Involve Girls in After...

Show Summary: In this episode of The STEM Space, Natasha and Claire reflect on the first few weeks of school, including everyone getting sick! Claire shares her students’ reaction to the mysterious refilling water bottle and a new role she is taking on in addition to teaching STEM. Natasha shares an open-ended science inquiry activity that has students defining variables and collecting data. Teams...

Show Summary: In this episode, Claire is back in her STEM classroom and focused on prototyping and troubleshooting for her kinder - 9th graders! Listen in as she and Natasha chat about a mysterious prototype, a STEM challenge intended to assess learning for back to school, and why her students asked if they could bring a dead cat to school. Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 113. From Miniatu...

Show Summary: Happy back to school! In this episode, Natasha shares her lessons and reflects on the first week of school. This includes two mystery box activities to get to know her students, establish expectations for classroom participation, and connect to the scientific process. She also shares how she introduced the teaching of science by having her students, who are undergraduate preservice t...

Show Summary: In this episode, Natasha chats with one of her favorite people and classmates at Texas A&M University, Rachelle Pedersen! Natasha and Rachelle are both doctoral students in curriculum and instruction, and one of the few focused on engineering education. Rachelle shares her experiences teaching high school technology and engineering, including one of her favorite engineering desig...

Show Summary: In this episode, Natasha has an incredible conversation with Nikole Collins-Puri, a social justice visionary and advocate who is the CEO of Techbridge Girls, a nonprofit organization that empowers girls from low-income communities to pursue STEM careers and achieve economic mobility and financial security as adults. Nikole shares her own journey in STEM, why belonging matters in STEM...

Show Summary: In this episode, Natasha and Claire explore a variety of icebreakers to help set the tone for the academic year. They share activities that are not just fun but also help in sharpening vital soft skills like communication and teamwork—key elements for the complex design challenges that lie ahead. From hands-on challenges with LEGO® blocks and towers to fun ways to keep attendance whi...

Show Summary: In this episode, Claire and Natasha discuss what things they would include in a devoted STEM classroom or Makerspace. They share some must-have products and design elements as well as some things you could skip. Tune in to hear an answer to one of our most frequently asked questions and take-away some ideas you may use for your STEM room. Have a question we could answer in a future p...

Show Summary: In this episode, Claire and Natasha share their extensive knowledge and experience in crafting and marketing educational curricula. They delve into the details of creating compelling and effective learning materials that not only engage students but also meet educators' needs by imparting valuable insights about the business side of education. They discuss strategies for positioning...

Show Summary: In this episode, Claire dives into how she plans to inspire her students to understand complex concepts, such as buoyancy. She explores the transformative process of moving from paper sketches to mini-models, and ultimately to life-sized, functioning products. Claire explains the critical role of prototyping, the eureka moments, the challenges, and the triumph or failure of the end r...

Show Summary: The STEM Space podcast is back! While Natasha jetted off to France during the break, Claire shuttled her kids around town, from swim practice to piano camp. Now, somewhat rejuvenated, we're thrilled to be back to talk all things STEM! In this episode, Natasha reflects on her first time teaching undergraduate pre-service students, while Claire shares a student question she will never...

Show Summary: In this episode, Natasha continues her conversation with André Thomas, game-based learning expert and Director of the LIVE Lab in the Visualization program at Texas A&M University. Explore the exciting world of artificial intelligence (AI) as André shares his views on how it can personalize learning experiences, enhance engagement, and potentially revolutionize various aspects of...

Show Summary: In this episode, Natasha and André discusses game-based learning and its immense potential in any classroom setting. They talk about the difference between gamification and game-based learning, tips for engaging all students, and a not-to-be-missed online summer workshop providing educators with the chance to earn professional development credit hours. André Thomas returns for an eng...

Show Summary: Have you heard the song “Like a G6”? The G6 is in reference to one of the most exclusive private jets in the world, the Gulfstream G650. In this episode, Natasha sits down with one of the engineers at Gulfstream, Whitney Holt, to talk all about this airplane, her role in aircraft simulation, and her journey to being an aerospace engineer. All the questions come from elementary and mi...

Show Summary: In this episode of The STEM Space, Claire speaks with Kristina Ohl who created a 5E STEM lesson on earthquakes, complete with a DIY shake table. She shares her experience conducting this activity in the classroom and some tips for doing it with your students. Kristina Ohl is a science teacher who strives to develop lessons that are engaging for all learners. She has taught as an outd...