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 teachers, complete ineffective science activities to highlight the challenges of promoting science knowledge.

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 design challenges. They also discuss the overwhelming expectations of STEM education and strategies to support teachers.

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, and resources for educators.

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 while building relationships with your students, they share how these activities lay the groundwork for an engaging and collaborative learning environment. Tune in as we navigate through these exciting strategies to kick-start your STEM classroom experience.

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.

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 insights about the business side of education. They discuss strategies for positioning and selling their curricula in the competitive market, shedding light on their big-picture approach, teacher notes, and understanding the needs of their target audience. This episode is a must-listen for educators looking to create and sell their own teaching resources or if you might one day!