Chuck Ridgeway is the Automation Technology Manager & Senior Customer Advocate at Horner Automation in Indianapolis, Indiana. As an engineer in the automation and robotics industry for over 30 years, Chuck has seen both the changes and valuable uses of automation and robotics in our world, and is an important voice for educators to hear about the value of STEM learning for future careers.

Horner Automation has been part of some truly unique projects in their many years in the industry, creating hardware and software that helps make businesses to homes to schools run smoothly. Their sensors, controllers, and automation have been involved with everything from major sports stadiums, Las Vegas resort attractions, cruise ships, and snowmaking at ski resorts, to the US postal service, agricultural facilities, various food & beverage producers, water/wastewater facilities, power management and fuel storage. 

Horner is currently offering, free for qualifying educational institutions, one of their powerful Horner Controllers to help eliminate lab-time bottlenecks and time limitations. The use of an OCS as part of our Academic Program makes it easy and cost-effective for each student to have their own lab equipment and be able to meet their requirements for your automation educational program. Learn more about it at hornerautomation.com/product/academic-program

Connect with Chuck & Horner Automation:

• Website: hornerautomation.com
• Horner's Education Resources: hornerautomation.com/product/academic-program
• YouTube: Horner Automation YouTube 
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chuck-ridgeway-79993210

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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Chad Miller teaches Technology, Engineering, & Design as well as Computer Science in North Carolina. But he wasn't always a teacher. His experiences as a computer aided draftsman helped him learn the business of architectural lighting, and in the process problem solving, iteration, and more skills that kids in CTE courses need. As an educator, he has always been passionate about STEM and providing real world examples in his classroom. He also enjoys helping with clubs and mentoring groups, even partnering with NC State for many years to bring their students to mentor his students.

He also has his students competing in the Technology Student Association (TSA), and has even had students win top awards for their STEM & design skills. 

Connect with Chad:

• Instagram: @techtomentor
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chad-miller-917791214/
• TSA website: tsaweb.org
• Code.org AI teaching course: code.org/en-US/artificial-intelligence

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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For over 15 years, Simply Technologies has been sneaking digital manufacturing into classrooms—one buzzing spindle and slightly terrified teacher at a time. So far, they’ve helped over 3,500 North American schools bring STEM to life in very real, very loud, very safe, and very hands-on ways.

Their father-son company, Simply Technologies, has (unofficially but confidently) placed more CNC machines in schools than anyone else on the continent. They like to say they created CNC for teachers who didn’t sign up for CNC—and it turns out, that’s a lot of them.

In September 2025 they launched Empower[ed] Academy—what they believe is the first-ever CAD/CAM/CNC Teacher Training & Certification program in North America. The goal is to help teachers confidently turn their students’ “Imagination to Reality”—without having to Google “what’s a post-processor” mid-lesson.

On this episode, Steve and Jeremy share insights and stories from 15 years of classroom CNC success, and some practical tips and ideas that teachers can use the day after they listen to the episode.

The founders of Simply Technologies Group Inc. in London, Ontario, Steve and Jeremy Stevenson, have worked within the digital manufacturing since 2009. As a father-son duo with deep industry expertise and a passion for innovation, they offer a diverse range of products, including CNC machines, CO2 laser systems, and GRIT Automation products. Beyond selling equipment, they are committed to education and support, providing in-depth training, technical assistance, and industry-leading resources to help customers get the most out of their investment, with the help of their support and training guru, David Logan.

Connect with Steve & Jeremy:

• Website: simplytechnologies.xyz 
• Empower[ed] Academy: learn.simplytechnologies.xyz
• Instagram: @simply.technologies

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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With a cardboard box and a spark of imagination, in 2008, Makedo was born. More than just tools, Makedo empowers kids to become problem-solvers, innovators, and collaborators.

Today, Makedo isn’t just a product line of blue screws & cardboard tools; it’s a vibrant, global community of makers dedicated to building a better future for people and the planet through imaginative, purposeful play, one cardboard creation at a time.

(Check out the Makedo website for lessons and resources to use their reusable screws in your classroom and home. And follow their social media to get more great ideas and inspiration to build and create with your kids.)

Colleen Graves has been an educator and librarian for over 20 years. In 2018, her passion for blogging about makerspaces and libraries shifted her education career into crafting content strategy for innovative edtech companies like Makey Makey, Chibitronics, and now Makedo. Now as the Education Content Officer, USA & Canada, for Makedo, she takes her Makerspace skills and is building lessons and helping educators find ways to get kids to use their brains and their hands.

Check out a few of the Makedo Lessons:

• History in the Making: hub.make.do/education/sel-lesson-plans/history-in-the-making-exploring-history-with-cardboard-costumes
• Cardboard Arcade 9+ : hub.make.do/education/sel-lesson-plans/cardboard-arcade-engineering-games-that-move-ages-9-
• Animal Adaptations: hub.make.do/education/sel-lesson-plans/animal-adaptations

Be sure to check out Colleen's books The Big Book of Makerspace Projects and 20 Makey Makey Projects for the Evil Genius

Connect with Colleen & Makedo:

• Website: www.make.do
• Twitter/X: @makedo
• Instagram: @makedo
• Facebook: @makedo
• YouTube: youtube.com/makedotv
• Colleen's website: colleengraves.org
• Colleen's LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/colleen-graves/ 

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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After 10 years as Quizizz, a new way and a new focus has necessitated the change to a new name: Wayground. 

Kyle Niemis is the Head of Community at Wayground (formerly Quizizz), educator, and co-founder of ClassroomQ. "Wayground provides educators with a supplemental learning platform that brings together instruction, practice, and assessment in an AI-supported hub that helps students hit grade-level standards faster."

Used in 90% of US schools & over 150 countries worldwide, educators can dive into a library of resources that are standards-aligned and mapped to curriculum. Import and customize your own trusted materials with dozens of question types and formats to motivate every student, not just the loudest or the fastest

Wayground allows you to vary the student experience across dozens of formats, modes, and question types and get clear data (for you and for them) that celebrates progress.

Set one of more than 25 accommodations for each student once and they're applied automatically moving forward. You can even adjust reading levels for groups of students and individuals.

Give it a try, it'll help. 

Connect with Wayground:

• Website: wayground.com
• Twitter/X: @waygroundai
• Twitter/X for Kyle: @KyleNiemis

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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PJ Creek was teaching social studies and science in middle school. He always referenced his periodic table poster on the wall, but didn't have anything similar to help with social studies. His problem lead to creating the Periodic Table of the Presidents, a poster that shows information about the presidents in a periodic table shape and style. 

That poster lead to more great infographics on topics like the Amendments, National Parks, the Constitution, the Pledge of Allegiance, and more!

In this conversation, PJ shares the stories behind the posters, how to use them, and some info on how to incorporate making infographics into classroom learning.

Learn how to make an infographic on their YouTube page

Connect with PJ & Periodic Presidents:

• Website: periodicpresidents.com
• Twitter/X: @periodicprez
• Instagram: @periodicprez
• Facebook: @periodicprez
• Purchase posters
• We the People and the President book

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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Robotics education is highly incorporated into upper grade levels because of its connection to careers. But elementary robotics is often one-off projects and fun time. The leadership at Woodland Hills School District in Pennsylvania is ensuring that every kid gets to do a lot more with robotics. 

Tina Dietrich is the STEM Coordinator at Woodland Hills School District, where she leads initiatives to integrate hands-on STEM and robotics programs into the K-12 curriculum. Tina is passionate about fostering student engagement through project-based learning and empowering educators with effective STEM resources.

Dr. Eddie Willson serves as Assistant to the Superintendent at Woodland Hills. With a strong background in educational leadership and curriculum development, his role includes overseeing implementation of initiatives that promote student achievement and prepare learners for future STEM careers.

Their district has started initiatives such as robotics every day for students in Elementary school, as well as Mother/Daughter Robotics club, a Robotics lending library, and their Unified Robotics program that partners with Special Olympics.

(Learn more about VEX Robotics from VP of Global Educational Strategy Jason McKenna on Episode 289)

Connect with Tina and Dr Eddie:

• Woodland Hills Website: whsd.net
• Twitter/X: @whsdvex
• Instagram: @whsdvex
• Vex: vexrobotics.com

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

Support the show

As education faces new challenges from technology and an ever-changing labor market, the need for public-private partnership in education is as important as ever. Local governments and business organizations everywhere are realizing this need, and building partnerships and advocacy groups to help make these necessary connections.

The state of Michigan has long relied on public-private partnerships to prepare students for jobs of the future, and it has adjusted its work to include STEM, STEAM, and workforce development. One such example is its STEAM Ahead program launched in 2021. Spearheaded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), STEAM Ahead creates hands-on career experiences for students interested in STEAM-related positions. More than 150 companies are participating organizations and include companies of all sizes from Magna to Nexteer to Collins Engineers. Since launching in 2021, the program has placed 1,700 interns, and has a focus on key economic drivers for Michigan through the next decade, including EV & mobility, semiconductors, life sciences and devices, clean energy, defense & aerospace and advanced manufacturing. 

Spencer Lucker, Director of Strategic Talent Initiatives at the MEDC, shares how this partnership is identifying and fulfilling job needs before they are realized, and amplifying success stories of school-business partnerships.

One such example is the EV/Mobility Digital Curriculum that is bringing industry, higher ed and PK12 partners together to identify curricular gaps and create content that supports career pathways connections at Elementary and Middle School levels (cdc.engin.umich.edu/electric-vehicle-mobility-curriculum-description/) 

Connect with Spencer & the MEDC:

• MEDC Website: michiganbusiness.org
• MEDC's STEAM Ahead Program: michiganbusiness.org/steam-ahead/
• MEDC's PK-12 STEM Grants: michiganbusiness.org/talent-action-team/pk12-stem-grants/ 
• Michigan's MiSTEM Network: michigan.gov/leo/boards-comms-councils/mistem
• Spencer's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/spencerflucker/

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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Born a patriot, Dr. Leslie Gruis spent 30 years as a mathematician and intelligence officer at the National Security Agency, where she helped develop technology solutions that balanced national security with civil rights. She later served at U.S. Cyber Command and the National Intelligence Council. Now retired, she writes and speaks on privacy, surveillance, and democracy—making complex topics accessible for everyday Americans. Dr. Gruis is the author of Privacy: Past, Present, and Future, The Privacy Pirates, and a forthcoming third book. She also mentors K–12 STEM students, with a special focus on middle school girls.

Dr Gruis on math: "In my experience, students rarely struggle with content alone. What they often lack is confidence and context. Many bright students are afraid to try, afraid to fail, or unsure how what they’re learning fits into the real world. The most impactful thing educators can do is show them that problem-solving isn’t about perfection—it’s about curiosity."

Dr Gruis on privacy: "One crucial point is that privacy is not just a personal preference—it’s a civic right. When we give up privacy, even in small ways, we weaken our ability to think, speak, and dissent freely. It’s not just about protecting data; it’s about protecting civil rights. Devices like Ring doorbells, fitness trackers, and smartphones collect massive amounts of data, often without people fully realizing the long-term social impacts. This normalization of surveillance makes it even more urgent that we think critically about the trade-offs."

Connect with Dr Gruis:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leslie-gruis-b8060b141/
• Get a copy of The Privacy Pirates
• Learn more about Cyber Corps sfs.opm.gov

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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Elliot Lichtman started teaching online classes in computer science when he was a freshman in high school. Small classes quickly grew into a series of larger and longer offerings, and from those, his book The Computer Always Wins was born.  Elliot is currently a sophomore at Yale University.

In The Computer Always Wins, Elliot Lichtman teaches some of computer science’s most powerful concepts in a refreshingly accessible way: exploring them through word games, board games, and strategy games everyone already knows.  This book will provide not only a deeper understanding of foundational programming techniques but also a new appreciation for the amazing feats that can be accomplished using simple, readable code.

Connect with Elliot:

• Website: thecomputeralwayswins.com
• Instagram: @thecomputeralwayswins
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elliot-lichtman-728004279/

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

Support the show