71. How to Create a Relevant STEM Challenge
Classroom Resources, Teaching Tips Vivify STEM Classroom Resources, Teaching Tips Vivify STEM

71. How to Create a Relevant STEM Challenge

With no internet access and limited supplies, how can you inspire and engage kids with STEM? We often think of robots and circuit boards as an integral part of STEM education, but hands-on learning doesn't need fancy tools. In this episode of The STEM Space, Claire and Natasha discuss ideas for offering STEM in rural communities (with special guest, baby Frenya). We also provide a framework for developing relevant STEM challenges that are based on students' lived experiences.

Read More
70. Career Chat with a Satellite Program Manager
Classroom Resources, Teaching Tips Vivify STEM Classroom Resources, Teaching Tips Vivify STEM

70. Career Chat with a Satellite Program Manager

Do you have a student obsessed with a subject? You know, the one who asks you all the questions you don’t know the answers to? In this episode, Natasha interviewed York Space Systems Program Manager Christine Dubbert (who was that student) for the 2022 spring semester Space Club Career Chat finale. Tune in as we talk about her pathway to STEM, what it's like to be a woman in engineering, and her previous competitive Scottish Highland dancing hobby!

Read More
69. Can My Baby Do STEM?
Classroom Resources, Teaching Tips Vivify STEM Classroom Resources, Teaching Tips Vivify STEM

69. Can My Baby Do STEM?

How young is too young for STEM? My kids' daycare claims to teach STEM with activities geared to students as young as 2 years old! But how does a 2-year-old even do STEM? I am pretty skeptical so I asked Claire, who teaches STEM for Pre-K all the way to 8th grade, to get her perspective. Tune in as we discuss STEM for little kids, learning goals, and what is even possible.

Read More
68. Game Based Learning with André Thomas
Classroom Resources, Teaching Tips Vivify STEM Classroom Resources, Teaching Tips Vivify STEM

68. Game Based Learning with André Thomas

Have you used game-based learning in your classroom? Can gaming actually improve learning outcomes? In this episode of The STEM Space, Natasha chats with renowned game-based learning expert and Texas A&M University professor André Thomas. His career started in the movie industry creating graphics for movies like Men in Black, then moved into the world of graphics for games like Madden NFL, and he now uses those experiences to develop immersive games to teach educational content like calculus. We discuss his background, how to engage students in the gaming industry, and ways for teachers to leverage game-based learning in their classrooms.

Read More
67. Is STEM After School Effective?
Teaching Tips, Classroom Resources Vivify STEM Teaching Tips, Classroom Resources Vivify STEM

67. Is STEM After School Effective?

Are you interested in learning about the latest research in STEM education? In this episode, Natasha, a doctoral student at Texas A&M University, shares her recent research on the impact of attendance in an afterschool STEM program (Space Club) on student attitudes towards STEM. Tune in to hear the latest trends in STEM education and the behind-the-scenes of conducting quantitative education research.

Read More
66. Eco-House Sustainable STEM with Kristina Ohl

66. Eco-House Sustainable STEM with Kristina Ohl

Natasha chats with Kristina Ohl, a 6th-grade science teacher who decided to “re-create” one of her favorite activities, Vivify’s Mission to Mars Planning Game. She brought the real-world project back to Earth by having students plan and design an energy-efficient and eco-friendly house! She discusses her experience developing the lesson including consulting a sustainable building engineer and testing with elementary and middle school students. We also chat about effective teaching practices and how we cannot simply pour our knowledge into children’s brains - try as we might!

Read More