80. How Does Your Education Compare?
How do you feel about the education system where you live? In this episode, Natasha shares a project she completed comparing the education systems in different countries. Tune in to hear what is working and what isn’t in education around the world.
79. The Impact of STEM
From launching Space Club to hosting STEM Family Nights, Natasha reflects on her last 8 years as STEM Director at a nonprofit in San Antonio, Texas. She discusses with Claire the transition from engineer to educator and the impact of STEM programs. Plus, Claire shares a super easy apple spice cobbler recipe!
78. Stage 3 STEM
Ready to elevate your STEM class with a Stage 3 STEM project? Here is the part 2 we promised in episode 75! Claire and Natasha dive into ideas for long-term research-based STEM projects for elementary and middle school. We discuss animal habits, a project for a custom-fit aquatic wheelchair, and tackling a local city challenge. We also share how any Stage 2 engineering design challenge can be translated into a more in-depth Stage 3 STEM project.
77. Back-to-School Icebreakers
Need some low-prep icebreakers for back to school? Claire shares her favorite Stage 1 STEM activities that build a foundation of teamwork, collaboration, and communication to set the stage for engineering design challenges. Plus, she describes how to add new constraints to some of our most popular STEM icebreakers to adapt for older students or to re-use with a class.
75. Space Colony Competition
Can you survive a mission to space? We invite your elementary and middle school students to submit their designs for a colony on the Moon or Mars that can keep a crew alive and happy! With a blend of research, engineering, architecture, math, and science - this is an epic Stage 3 STEM challenge that only requires recycled materials to bring it to life! Claire and Natasha discuss the launch of the virtual Space Colony Competition plus how Claire’s planning is going for her STEM classes in grades K through 8!
74. Rate My STEM Lesson
What is the focus in your STEM classroom? Do you love teambuilding activities? Or perhaps you spend most of the year on engineering design. In this episode, we discuss a quiz to rate your STEM lessons or program, plus some exciting projects we are working on including Alphabet STEM for kindergarten and an epic Space Colony Competition!