Series 6 Episode 6: (STEAM)2, Bonus Episode -The Future of Artemis & STEM in 2025: 
In this bonus episode we look at the future of Artemis and biggest challenges in K-12 STEM education in 2025. More specifically, we look at the increasing challenges of science misconceptions and skepticism emerging in three key areas of science including research and education tied to climate science, the human body, and microscopic diseases. Recent elections in the United States and other parts of the world including significant research and policy changes within science, research and educational agencies suggest the need for increase efforts in climate literacy, place-based learning and earlier experiences with microscopes and the study of complex body systems by K-12 students. In the news we look at an article on the future of NASA’s Artemis program in 2025 and look back to a pivotal study on education in the United States. We also discuss the You Belong in STEM resource page for educators and students (S6E6)

News links: Here is What Trump’s Win Means for NASA from Time Magazine (Click Here) 

Educational Website:  US Department of Education’s You Belong in STEM (Click Here)

Historical Research: A Nation at Risk Educational Study (Click Here) 

Series 6 Episode 5: (STEAM)2 - Multicultural STEAM and the Language of NASA's Artemis: This is a special series focused on my work at the national NSTA conference in New Orleans. In the 5th episode we explore mathematics and multicultural inclusion. More specifically we explore the language of NASA’s Artemis  program as it relates to multicultural inclusion in STEAM. Like its predecessor Apollo, the reich and complex language associated with Artemis provides a educational matrix for language development and understanding the diversity of cultures and people engaged in in lunar exploration as illuminated in some of the participating nations involved in the design of Artemis vehicles and technologies. Educational resources in this episode include vocabulary lesson plans for students and the diverse biographies of Artemis 2 astronauts flying to the moon in 2025. (S6E5)


Educational Links: Artemis in the United States, Artemis in Canada, Artemis in Mexico & Artemis in Japan​Educational Link: NASA Website: Meet Our Artemis Crew

Series 6 Episode 4: (STEAM)2, The Art of Moonbases and Egg-o-nauts!: In the 4th episode we explore STEAM, Art and Aesthetic Design. In addition to talking about the private and public sectors design and work together in building the complex Artemis rockets, rovers, robots, and habitats together, we explore the creative elements connected to the arts and aesthetic design as it relates to transforming creative curiosity and problem solving into testable concepts in STEAM. More specifically, this episode explores the importance of including and infusing art into Artemis lessons as a way to help students imagine themselves as future participants in lunar or other space exploration. In the news we look at public and private partnerships work together within the Artemis program as it relates to rocket, landing and lunar habitat systems. Educators interested in integrating the arts and aesthetic design as it relates to designing lunar habitats as an educational diorama. (S6E4)

Educational Link: European Space Agency Art for Artemis
Educational Link: National Space Centre Make Your Own Moonbase Video

Series 6 Episode 3: (STEAM)2 - Robots on the Moon and in Your Schools: In the 3rd episode we explore STEAM and exceptional learning. In addition to exploring robotics we explore the importance of inclusive and exceptionally based STEAM lessons and activities based on a learning model developed in a report called spiceE. We also discussed multi-sensory and team projects that are asset-based that can be connected to NASA’s Artemis program as well. In the news we look at NASA’s Astrobee and LASSIE robotics programs for Artemis 2 and introducing a VEX 123 lunar robotics challenge at the NSTA Conference in New Orleans. Educators interested in special education STEAM programs can access the spicE report as well which provides a very hands-on, tactile and inclusive model of STEAM education for primary and secondary students from a European perspective. (S6E3)

Educational Link: SpiceE STEAM Academy Report from Europe
Educational Link: Impact Teachers Strategies for Exceptional STEAM
Educational Link: NASA Robotic Astrobee & NPR article on NASA Robotic LASSIE Rover

Series 6 Episode 2: (STEAM)2 - NASA Artemis Lunar Robotics Challenge: In the second episode, we explore STEAM and transformative learning. Like its predecessor program Apollo, there is a tremendous amount of innovation in technology evident in NASA’s Artemis program including the infusion of robotics, AI and 3D printing discussed in this episode. Artemis educators are also using media and technologies in novel ways to help students see the connection between these emerging technologies and society. In the news we look at NASA’s main rocket called the Space Launch System and comparing it to the SpaceX system that will be used in Artemis 3. The NASA SLS booklet for elementary students and a paper model students can build is discussed as well. (S6E2)

• Educational Link: NASA's Artemis Space Launch System
• Educational Link: AXM Paper Space Models - SLS
• Educational Link: SpaceX Starship System
• Educational Link: NASA SLS Illustrated Book for Children

Series 6 Episode 1: (STEAM)2, NASA and New Orleans NSTA Conference : In the first episode of (STEAM)2 we layout the purpose of this series which is to explore NASA’s Artemis 2 Program within the context of the (STEAM)2 learning model for K-8 educators. Then focus on STEAM and Society as it relates to lessons about Artemis 2. For teachers we explore the Artemis Accords which are an international science and research agreement related to lunar exploration that illuminates how this program may connect with students all around the world. We also discuss place-based learning connected astronaut training in Iceland imagining how humans might live and explore the moon and other off planet environments. Learning resources include links to NSTA, information on the NASA Accords, and an article about NASA astronauts training in Iceland. (S6E1) 

• Educational Link: National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) - New Orleans 
• Educational Link: NASA Artemis Accords of Nations
• Educational Link: NASA Astronaut Training in Iceland

In this bonus episode, we look at the rare emergence of two broods of cicadas in North America and how this rare double emergence of Broods 13 and 17 has not been seen in over two centuries. As trillions of noisy cicadas complete their life cycle, we discuss the benefits to ecosystems and share articles on how people celebrate cicadas around the world. In the news we share articles on Broods 13 and 17 (click here) and National Geographic resources four kids and schools (click here and click here). (Podcast 5E6).

Series 5 Episode 5: Earth Day Episode - How Can AI Protect Wildlife and Teach Families About Nature? 


Earth Day special education we look at ways AI is being utilized by scientists and wildlife experts to protect rare and endangered species around the world (click here). We also examine how NASA is utilizing AI to better predict extreme weather in order to help local communities (click here). The main part of our show explores a theoretical model of dynamic interpretive software that helps children in the primary grades learn about nature and environmental topics in local and regional contexts. Should AI be utilized in outdoor science and environmental education programs? Let us know by contacting us at [email protected]. (Podcast S5E5)

Series 5 Episode 4: Thematic Experimentation and Prototyping with 6-8 Grade Students - Using AI for Thematic Problem Solving and Experimentation in STEM: 

What role does AI play in early secondary education? In Episode 4, we begin exploring AISE at the secondary levels in Grades 7-9 by introducing a forth class and educational model of science education that includes AI modelling and early prototyping of STEM tech that includes early AI coding and other elements. Secondary AISE also explores how lessons, topics and ideas beyond the local and regional cosmos that is more evident in elementary AISE. Working individually and in teams, students utilize AI in thematic lessons and/or problem-based learning that includes prototyping physical technology and robotics for community sharing at events such as an AI-linked robotics and other technical leagues and challenges (similar to Lego Robotics). In the news, we look at some of the early research into AI (click here), a new AI ethics curriculum for middle schoolers from MIT (click here) and share a website that utilizes Lego Robotics and AI (click here).

Series 5 Episode 3: Science Fairs and Experimentation with 3-5 Grade Students - Using AI for Phenomenon-Based Experimentation That Includes Authentic Testing and Critical Analysis: What role does AI play in the elementary school science fair? In Episode 3, we explore how the science fair might be transformed and enhanced by allowing students to utilize educational AI to explore experimental ideas which are then tested by the students to evaluate, confirm and/or further refine student ideas about the relationship between AI experimentation/modelling and actual physical testing and experimentation. Within this context, 3-6 Grade students participating in science fair might choose to create experiments independent of AI or augment experimentation using educational AI similar to the way scientists utilize both of these methods within science research and tech innovation. Like the previous episode, a model for future development in educational tech for 3-5 Grades is presented. In the news, we will be discussing AI based science experiments elementary students can use for experimentation from Science Buddies (click here) and the value of science fiction as it relates to student understanding (click here).