The STEM Space

Show Summary:

Welcome to episode 100 of The STEM Space! In celebration, Natasha and Claire rant about one of their favorite topics: why does science education always ignore aerodynamic drag? In this episode, Natasha shares a simple science inquiry lab on exploring whether all objects fall at the same rate, the results from her students, and then how they applied an understanding of gravity and drag to an engineering design challenge.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

93. How Does Engineering Relate to Science?

92. Unpacking the NGSS ft. Molly Seward (K-4 Science Coach)

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Scientific Method vs. Engineering Design Process: Which is used in STEM learning?

Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education

Engineering in the Science Classroom

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

STEM Drag Device Parachute Challenge

STEM Balloon Rocket Design Challenge

Straw Rocket STEM Challenge

Elementary (K-3)

Upper Grades (4-10)

Alphabet STEM - Activities for Letter D (includes drag device challenge; for PreK - 1st grade!)

STEM Space Lander

Elementary (K-5)

Upper Grades (5-10)

Other STEM Resources

The STEM Space Quick Tips

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2023/100/celebrating-100-episodes-a-lesson-on-exploring-air-resistance

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Show Summary:

Claire and Natasha discuss simple lessons to help your students develop scientific thinking and better understand how science works. From trying to guess a mystery object to using creativity to design their own investigations, Natasha shares some activities from her own classroom that build confidence in her students and create a classroom environment driven by inquiry.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

93. How Does Engineering Relate to Science?

76. Career Chat with an Astronaut

64. Inspire Kids with Space: Chat with NASA Ground Controller!

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Go on a Mission to Mars! An inside look into Space Club’s Mission to Mars

Must Haves for a STEM Lab

Scientific Method vs. Engineering Design Process: Which is used in STEM learning?

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Design a Mars Colony: STEM / STEAM Project Guide

Mission to Mars: K-5 or 6-8

Other STEM Resources

Pedagogical Strategies and Practices

Vivify YouTube: Mission to Mars Student Highlights

Fun Space Videos:

Alka-Seltzer in Space

7 Minutes of Terror: The Challenges of Getting to Mars

Karen Nyberg Shows How You Wash Hair in Space

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES:https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2023/99/how-to-teach-kids-to-think-like-a-scientist

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Show Summary:

Claire and Natasha discuss how the history of engineering education tends to focus on the evolution of the departments and colleges of engineering, but what about the female-dominated home economics fields of study? Around 1930 to 1950, women could major in household equipment, which focused on a scientifically based understanding of household technologies. Students took physics and math classes and conducted labs that involved dismantling refrigerators to assess the application of thermodynamic principles. Sounds like engineering to me! Listen for more of this fascinating history and our ideas of what all students should know about engineering and technology.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

91. Defining STEM ft. Molly Seward (K-4 STEM Teacher)

79. The Impact of STEM

58. Are You Training Up Innovators?

50. How to Involve Girls in After-School STEM

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Top 10 Ways To Encourage Girls In STEM

Engineering in the Science Classroom

Critical Issues of K-12 Engineering Education

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Who is an Engineer or Scientist? STEM Career Game & Activity

Space Capsule Heat Shield Challenge - 5E Unit or Engineering Design Unit

FREE Picture a STEM Professional Critical Thinking Worksheet

Bridge Engineering STEM Challenge - Women in STEM History Activity

Starter STEM Activities Engineering Challenges

Other STEM Resources

The Evolution of Engineering in the 20th Century (book)

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES:https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2023/98/who-is-an-engineer

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Show Summary:

In this episode, Claire has the privilege of chatting with the head of Robotical for North America, Hal Speed, who has a passion for promoting computer science, robotics, and artificial intelligence among other technology concepts and skills with the next generation of problem solvers. Tune in to hear about a new robot that you can try for free and find out how you can bring more tech skills to your students.

Links from the Show:

From this Episode

Marty the Robot

—>Free Trial 

—>Learning Resources

tinyML EDU K-12 (it includes links for AI4K12, AI for Teachers, etc.)

K-12 CS Framework

Code.org

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

94. How Sphero Supports STEM Teachers ft. Michelle Acaley

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

15 Ways to Teach Robotics Virtually

How to Start an After School STEM Club

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Robot Hand STEM Activity

Alphabet STEM - Activities for Letter R (for PreK - 1st grade)

Intro to Coding: Communication STEM Activity

Explore real-world careers, applications, and places in the world of technology through tech choice boards!

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2023/97/robots-and-computer-science-ft-hal-speed

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Show Summary:

In this episode, Natasha chats with Dr. Danna Freedman, a professor of chemistry at MIT in Boston, MA. They discuss her pathway to chemistry, the challenges of teaching and mentoring, and her coolest failure. You are also welcome to share the video recording of this podcast with students. The questions Natasha asks are based on submissions from Space Club elementary and middle school kids around the country.

Links from the Show:

All About Space Club

Video: Career Chat: Dr. Danna Freedman (Chemist)

Bring Space Club to Your School!

Video: Space Club: Mission to Moon

Video: Space Club: Mission to Mars

Space Colony Competition by Vivify

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

37. The Learning Potential of Space Club

46. STEM Career Chat with Bioengineer Dr. Georgia Lagoudas

53: Getting Data From Our Poop? Career Chat with Dr. Olesen

62. Life on Another Planet? Career Chat with an Astrobiologist!

64. Inspire Kids with Space: Chat with NASA Ground Controller!

70. Career Chat with a Satellite Program Manager

76. Career Chat with an Astronaut

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Top 10 Ways To Encourage Girls In STEM

10 Easy STEM Career Classroom Activities

I Didn't Always Want to be an Engineer

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Explore the Universe: Science Astronomy Scavenger Hunt - FREE!

STEM Careers

STEM Careers BINGO Game! (Middle & High School)

Digital STEM Choice Board: STEM Careers!

STEM Career Classroom Posters

Other STEM Resources

About Dr. Danna Freedman

YouTube: Danna Freedman Synthetic Inorganic Chemist | 2022 MacArthur Fellow

MacArthur Foundation profile

Freedman Laboratory at MIT

Wikipedia: SQUID Magnetometer

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2023/96/chat-with-a-chemist-ft-dr-danna-freedman

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Show Summary:

Claire and Natasha are talking all things 2023 and what to expect from Vivify! Listen in to learn about big projects like the Colony Competition, Wheelchairs, and a big thing that they are working on with Scope and Sequence!

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

33. My Students Built A Wheelchair

75. Space Colony Competition

64. Inspire Kids with Space: Chat with NASA Ground Controller!

92. Unpacking the NGSS ft. Molly Seward (K-4 Science Coach)

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education

Go on a Mission to Mars! An inside look into Space Club’s Mission to Mars

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

STEM Family Night Planning Guide, Activity Instructions

Colony Project Guides

Design a Moon Base: STEM / STEAM Project Guide

Design a Mars Colony: STEM / STEAM Project Guide

Science Fair Guide: Steps to Success

STEM Scope and Sequence (Pacing Guide) - FREE!

Elementary School (K - 5th)

Middle School (6th - 8th)

Sub Lesson Templates for a STEM Classroom

Other STEM Resources

Space Colony Competition

Open Wheelchair Foundation

Pitsco Education Family STEM Night Bundle (in partnership with Vivify)

Fall 2022 Space Colony Competition

YouTube: Space Colony Competition Trailer

YouTube: Space Colony Competition Award Ceremony (December 2022)

TikTok: Meet the Teams

TikTok: Space Colony Competition - Teams and Judges

Vivify STEM Curriculum Map

The STEM Space Quick Tips

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2023/95/colony-competitions-wheelchairs-and-more-in-2023

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Show Summary:

This episode is all about robotics and one of our favorite STEM companies, Sphero! Natasha chats with Sphero’s Senior Director of Product and Content, Michelle Acaley. Michelle started as a classroom teacher in New York City and Chicago before moving into education technology. She is passionate about ensuring Sphero has a content-first approach so that all products Sphero builds have a purpose in education and can become tools to teach Computer Science and STEAM throughout the curriculum.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

9. STEM with Sphero Robotics

18. What You Should Know About Failure

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

5 Tips for STEM Learning with Sphero Robotics

Basics of Sphero Robotics + 3 Awesome Sphero STEM Activities

10 Amazing STEM Family Night Activities

10 Must Have STEM Tools

The Importance of Failure

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Robotics Programming Maze Challenge - FREE!

Intro to Coding: Communication STEM Activity

Other STEM Resources

Sphero

Products:

indi

Bolt

RVR+

littleBits

Sphero EDU

Computer Science Foundations course

Sphero Global Challenge

littleBits: Invent for Good

Sphero Heroes

Raspberry Pi Foundation

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/94/how-sphero-supports-stem-teachers-ft-michelle-acaley

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Show Summary:

Natasha and Claire expand upon a recent blog post discussing how to teach engineering in the science classroom. How do engineering and science relate to each other? What do you do with the NGSS standards? Listen in to find out! (You may also hear baby Fenya’s very strong opinions about this in the background!)

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

91. Defining STEM ft. Molly Seward (K-4 STEM Teacher)

92. Unpacking the NGSS ft. Molly Seward (K-4 Science Coach)

87. How is STEM More Than a Problem?

58. Are You Training Up Innovators?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Engineering in the Science Classroom

Critical Issues of K-12 Engineering Education

Scientific Method vs. Engineering Design Process: Which is used in STEM learning?

Diet Coke + Mentos Balloon Experiment

Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning

Get Your Elf Off That Shelf with STEM

Top 5 Christmas STEM Activities

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Engineering Design Classroom Posters for Bulletin Boards

Volcano Shelter STEM Challenge

STEM Creativity Tools: 5 Activities to Boost Brainstorming Power

Other STEM Resources

NGSS Standards - Official Website

NGSS Phenomena

Engineering is Elementary by Christine M. Cunningham

ETS: Engineering, Technology and the Application of Science

Limnic Eruptions in Africa

Lake Monoun - 1984

Lake Nyos - 1986

Defusing Africa’s Killer Lakes | Smithsonian Magazine

Invisible Extinguisher | Science Fun

“The impact of NGSS and STEM on Elementary Science Instruction” - Joanne K Olson

Vivify STEM Curriculum Map

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/93/how-does-engineering-relate-to-science

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Show Summary:

This is part 2 of Natasha’s conversation with Molly Seward, a K-4 STEM teacher and Coach in Indiana with 37 years of teaching experience. The episode tackles the Next Generation Science Standards including strategies to make them more manageable for teachers. We also discuss how to plan a learning progression for a STEM classroom.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

Part 1 - 91. Defining STEM ft. Molly Seward (K-4 STEM Teacher)

60. Why Should You Have More Than One Solution?

87. How is STEM More Than a Problem?

54. HELP! My Students Are Struggling With TEAMWORK!

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Critical Issues of K-12 Engineering Education

Engineering in the Science Classroom

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Candy Grabber Math & Engineering Activity

Simple Machines Toy Factory STEM Challenge

Straw Rocket STEM Challenge (Forces & Motion)

Editable Budget Sheet for Engineering Design Challenges - FREE!

6 Icebreaker Teamwork Activities

Other STEM Resources

NGSS Standards - Official Website

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

NGSS Phenomena

8 Facts About the Grand Canyon You Never Knew from the National Park Foundation

‘I Wonder’ Questions: Harnessing the Power of Inquiry from George Lucas Educational Foundation - Edutopia

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/92/unpacking-the-ngss-ft-molly-seward-k-4-science-coach

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Show Summary:

In this episode, Natasha chats with Molly Seward, a K-4 STEM teacher and coach in Indiana. She has been teaching for 37 years, including being a robotics coach for the last 9 years, and selected as the 2005 Indiana Teacher of the year! The conversation is divided into 2 episodes. The first will focus on her experiences as a classroom STEM teacher and her goals for students. In the next episode, she will share her knowledge as a science coach including how to tackle the Next Generation Science Standards.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

18. What You Should Know About Failure

87. How is STEM More Than a Problem?

26. Making Time for STEM (featuring Kerry Tracy)

24. Craft Projects vs. STEM (featuring Kerry Tracy)

8. STEM vs. STEAM+

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

The Importance of Failure

How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

STEM Creativity Tools: 5 Activities to Boost Brainstorming Power

Other STEM Resources

VEX GO Robotics

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES:https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/91/defining-stem-ft-molly-seward-k-4-stem-teacher

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