STEM to Stern

Imagine choosing which memories to keep and which to forget. This week, Chauntée and Jake dive deep into the science (and sci-fi) of memory erasure. Inspired by Artemis Fowl’s fairies and classics like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Memento, they explore a fascinating question: Could we really delete memories?

From trauma treatment to ethical dilemmas, mind-wiping is more than just a plot twist. Jake’s curiosity leads to optogenetics: real tech that uses light to disrupt or ease the impact of fear-based memories in mice. But it’s not as simple as flipping a switch. The brain’s memory network is like a path of glowing neurons. Can we remove a section without triggering a chain reaction?

Chauntée worries about unintended consequences: if we erase painful experiences, do we also lose the lessons that shape who we are? The conversation gets hilariously personal when Chauntée confesses a deep fear of frogs (Jake immediately starts plotting prank ideas).

Would you erase memories on demand if you could? Jake says no. He’d overthink every choice. For both hosts, the idea of curating your mind like a photo album raises serious questions about identity, control, and what it means to grow.

What memory would you erase if given the chance? Or would you leave your mind untouched, warts and all?

Tune in now and let us know: Is forgetting the next frontier or a step too far?

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In this episode of STEM to Stern, Chauntée and Jake dive into one of science’s biggest mysteries: the possibility of alien life … and whether it’s ever reached us here on Earth.

Jake, who holds a PhD in astrophysics, loves exploring big questions like this, even if they don’t have neat answers. He explains why the sheer size of the universe makes it likely that intelligent alien life does exist somewhere. But as for them visiting Earth? That’s a whole different challenge.

The distances between stars are unimaginably vast. For an alien species to reach us, they’d have to emerge not only close to our solar system in space, but also close to us in time.

Our planet’s billions of years old, and intelligent life has only existed here for a tiny sliver of that.

Jake shares why abduction stories and UFO sightings don’t convince him, but he’s still fascinated by the idea of connecting with another civilization. Chauntée offers a healthy reminder that science always leaves room for discovery. Just because we can’t do something now doesn’t mean we’ll never be able to. After all, time travel and warp drive sound wild … until an innovator invents one.

What do you think? Have aliens visited before? Will they visit in the future? 

Listen in for a conversation about science, space, and the limits (or not!) of what’s possible.

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STEM, Skepticism, and Science Fiction -------------------------------------------------------------------

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⁠⁠⁠STEM to Stern Reflection Template⁠⁠⁠

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The STEMgineer’s Guide to Problem-Solving

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Cue the robot dance because this episode dives into the fascinating (and slightly unsettling) world of cybernetics. Inspired by Inspector Gadget’s spring-loaded arms and helicopter hats, Chauntée and Jake explore how far we've come in merging human biology with advanced technology. From glasses and hearing aids to mind-controlled prosthetics that can feel, science is pushing boundaries.

But with each leap forward, like bionic eyes or prosthetic limbs with full articulation, comes a deeper question: how far are we willing to go? Would you replace a perfectly good body part just to gain an enhancement? If you swapped out everything, would you still be human.. .or a robot?

The duo weighs the promise and the perils: accessibility, cost, potential hacks, and philosophical dilemmas. Is it more Iron Man or Darth Vader? Rocket from Guardians of the Galaxy or the reverse-engineered robot in Bicentennial Man?

As the line between machine and human blurs, this episode dares listeners to ask: Would you go full cyborg? And where do we draw the line between helpful tech and a loss of humanity?

Listen in for a thought-provoking conversation about our possible cybernetic future.

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Introducing Robotics to the Classroom

Robotics as a Catalyst in the Computer Science Classroom

Can Tiny Robots Heal You from the Inside Out? 

Merging Biology and Technology

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⁠⁠STEM to Stern Reflection Template⁠⁠

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The STEMgineer’s Guide to Problem-Solving

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If you could steal one animal ability for yourself, what would it be? In this episode of STEM to Stern, Chauntée surprises Jake with that exact question, and his answer is brilliant.

Jake skips the obvious choices like flying or super hearing and goes straight for ... octopus skin. Why? Because octopuses are masters of disguise. Their skin contains chromatophores and papillae, specialized cells that let them change color and texture to blend into their surroundings. It’s camouflage, communication, and creativity all in one. And yes, they talk with their skin.

Chauntée’s first instinct was to say chameleon, but now? She’s fully Team Octopus.

The conversation doesn’t stop at cephalopods. They explore real-world examples of human echolocation, the science behind animal adaptations, and why evolution might be the original engineer of superpowers.

What if you could wear your feelings, blend into your environment, or shapeshift your way through social situations? That’s the kind of wild “what if” we’re diving into.

So, what would you  pick? Tune in, imagine your mutation, and get inspired by the wonders of biology.

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FREE Adaptation Learning Activity

City shark attack?! Could a predator survive the pavement?

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⁠STEM to Stern Reflection Template⁠

⁠STEM to Stern Classroom Discussion Questions⁠

The STEMgineer’s Guide to Problem-Solving

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⁠Grants and Classroom Funding⁠

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What if your doctor could send an army of microscopic robots into your body to destroy cancer cells, repair damaged tissue, or even prevent illness before it starts? In this episode of STEM to Stern, Chauntée and Jake dive into the fascinating world of nanobots: tiny engineered machines measured in billionths of a meter.

Inspired by sci-fi favorites like Big Hero 6 and Black Panther, we explore how close scientists are to making these medical marvels a reality. Could nanobots patrol your bloodstream like microscopic medics? And if so, should they stay inside to provide constant care, or leave once their job is done?

But innovation comes with big questions. What if your body rejects them? Could self-replicating nanobots spiral out of control? How do we balance medical breakthroughs with cost, safety, and ethics? Drawing on real research and a healthy dose of curiosity, Chauntée and Jake unpack both the promise and the potential pitfalls of this technology.

From Jurassic Park–style warnings to future-ready possibilities, this conversation blends science fact with a spark of imagination. 

Listen in, then join the debate: Would you trust nanobots with your health?

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What does it really mean to be smart?

In this episode of STEM to Stern, Jake and Chauntée dig into a big question: Is being smart all about having the right answers, or is there more to it?

From emotional intelligence and empathy to curiosity and teamwork, they explore why “smart” looks different for everyone. Can you be book-smart and still miss the mark? How do great communicators use emotional intelligence to reach others? And what role does lifelong learning play in true intelligence?

As Jake and Chauntée share stories from classrooms, gifted programs, and even dreaded group projects, they uncover surprising ways intelligence shows up in everyday life.

What talents make your intelligence shine? What does being smart mean to you?

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Could sharks survive in the city?

What if the sharks from the old Street Sharks cartoon were real? Big muscles, legs, walking around New York like total jawsome bros. Could we actually make a shark that lives on land? Or is that a science fiction dream that should stay in the 90s?

In this episode, Jake and Chauntée dive into some seriously wild ideas about bioengineering and evolution. How do scientists make jellyfish glow? Could genetic engineering ever turn a shark into a pet that walks next to you like a golden retriever? And why have sharks barely changed in millions of years while city raccoons figured out how to open trash cans in a few decades?

We also get into how fast (or slow) evolution happens, why birds sing louder in noisy cities, and what biomimicry can teach us about solving human problems without messing up nature.

If you could modify any animal, what would you change? And would a city full of street sharks be chaos or kind of cool?

Keep being jawsome!

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Could synthetic food and lab-grown meat end world hunger? 

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STEM to Stern: The Physics of Everyday Stuff!

Ever wondered why doorknobs aren’t right next to the hinges? Or how a straw magically brings water to your mouth? In this episode, Jake (our resident physics whiz) breaks down the surprising science behind everyday objects, and it’s not as simple as “because it just works.”

We’re talking torque, atmospheric pressure, density, light vs. sound waves, touchscreen conductivity, and yes … why fish don’t get squashed by ice when lakes freeze over. 

Questions we’re asking:

Would a straw work on the moon?

Why can you hear someone around a corner, but not see them?

Could your phone screen protector be sabotaging your swipes?

This one’s full of “wait, what?!” moments, and we want to hear from YOU. Do you have some physics knowledge you’d like to share? What everyday object makes you wonder how it works? Drop your questions in the comments.

Tap play and learn more! #STEMtoStern #PhysicsInRealLife #STEMEducation

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https://stemeducationworks.com/blog/stem-story-lonnie-johnson-super-soaker/

https://stemeducationworks.com/blog/the-physics-and-mystery-of-radio/

https://stemeducationworks.com/blog/the-physics-of-lasers/

https://stemeducationworks.com/blog/the-fantastic-physics-of-neutron-stars/

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You’re Eating Plastic (Seriously) — Let’s Talk Microplastics 

Did you know that  you eat, on average, a credit card’s worth of plastic each week? Yummy. The truth is, tiny plastic is hiding everywhere: in your water, your food, even the air you breathe. 

In this episode of STEM to Stern, Jake and Chauntée break down (pun intended) the messy truth about microplastics. Why are they so impossible to avoid? What’s happening in our oceans and on our plates? And could mushrooms be the answer to the world’s plastic problem?

Chauntée shares her obsession (she studied this at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science), while Jake asks the big questions, like how much plastic is the ocean eating if we’re this exposed?

From plastic that lasts centuries to tech that might help us clean it up, we dive deep into the science and solutions. Plus, some dancing, a few puns, and one powerful reminder: one-use plastics don’t just hurt wildlife ... they hurt you too.

Tell us in the comments: What’s one thing you’re doing to cut back on plastic? Or drop a plastic fact that blew your mind!

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In this episode of STEM to Stern, Chauntée challenges Jake to name the most overhyped STEM trend, and of course, he picks AI. But is today’s “AI” really artificial intelligence, or just clever pattern-matching? Tune in as we unpack:

• AI vs. Real Intelligence: Why current tools like ChatGPT are powerful, and why they still fall short of authentic human-style learning.

• One-Trick Algorithms: How each AI model excels at a single task, like image generation, coding help, language, but can’t generalize across domains.

• Ethical and Practical Questions: Should we push for general AI? What are the risks (hello, sci-fi nightmares), and how do we stay in control?

• Future Outlook: From specialized machine learning to potential breakthroughs – what’s next on the path to genuine artificial intelligence?

Whether you’re an AI enthusiast or a cautious skeptic, this conversation dives deep into what today’s tools really do and why solving their limitations could spark tomorrow’s innovations.

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Check out these past blogs, webinars, and free resources!

• ChatGPT Hacks for Teachers: A Crash Course in AI | Blog

• How Can AI Help Teachers? – An Interview with ChatGPT | Blog

• Exploring the World of AI with the Dobot Magician Lite | Monthly Webinar

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Visit our website to discover more STEM resources for your classroom!

• STEM to Stern Reflection Template

• STEM to Stern Classroom Discussion Questions

• The STEMgineer’s Guide to Problem-Solving

— Grades K-5

— Grades 6-8

— Grade 9-12

• Grants and Classroom Funding

• Free Lessons and Worksheets

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