The STEM Space

Show Summary:

In this episode of The STEM Space, Natasha and Claire recap their experience launching a high-altitude weather balloon! This epic project is an impactful way to incorporate real-world STEM into your classroom and takes your students on a wild adventure. Hear about the trials and successes of our latest weather balloon launch!

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

Previous Weather Balloon Episodes:

- 27. Launching A High Altitude Balloon

- 30. Launching A High Altitude Balloon Part 2

79. The Impact of STEM

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Launching Weather Balloons

How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward

The Importance of Failure

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Weather Balloon Launch: STEM Engineering Project Guide

STEM Career Classroom Posters

Technology Choice Board Bundle - STEM Careers, Field Trip, & Types of Tech

FREE! - Interview Questions to ask STEM Professionals

Other STEM Resources

Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching (CAST)

Article from Texas A&M: Aerospace engineering former students bring engineering to life for kids of all ages

Vivify STEM YouTube: How to Launch a Weather Balloon to the Edge of Space: STEM Project Guide

Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS)

Search for The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Affiliated Clubs

AccuWeather: Here’s why meteorologists launch weather balloons every day

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Show Summary:

In this episode of The STEM Space, Natasha chats with Jonathan Stancek, a physics teacher in the Design & Technology Academy at Roosevelt High School in San Antonio, Texas. We discuss his journey from studying engineering to entering the classroom and his experience teaching math, engineering, and science. We discuss how to better prepare students for the rigor of high school and beyond, plus some of his favorite STEM projects! Jonathan is also a DoD STEM Ambassador Program for the 2022-23 school year (chosen by the U.S. Department of Defense), and he shares some incredible resources for teachers and students including curriculum, internships, scholarships, and more.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

73. Does STEM Track?

56. What Do Kids Need To Prepare For Engineering?

50. How to Involve Girls in After-School STEM

16. Everything You Know About Learning Styles Is Wrong

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

I Didn't Always Want to be an Engineer

Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning

Top 10 Ways To Encourage Girls In STEM

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

STEM Careers

STEM Careers BINGO Game! (Middle & High School)

Digital STEM Choice Board: STEM Careers!

STEM Career Classroom Posters

Bridge Engineering STEM Challenge

STEM Catapult Math & Engineering Activity (Angles and Ratios)

Other STEM Resources

DoD STEM Ambassador Program

Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program

Grudge Ball Review Game

Trust in the Truss: Design a Wooden Bridge STEM activity

National Math & Science Initiative

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/89/chat-with-a-physics-teacher-ft-jonathan-stancek-dod-stem-ambassador

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Show Summary:

In this episode, Natasha chats with Maria Garza, a neuroscientist in San Antonio, Texas. They discuss her research on blind mice, what it feels like to touch a brain and all sorts of interesting questions submitted by elementary and middle school students. This is the audio recording for a Space Club Career Chat that is posted on YouTube and linked in our show notes. We invite you to share this episode or video with your students!

Links from the Show:

All About Space Club

Video: Career Chat: Maria Garza (Neuroscientist)

Bring Space Club to Your School!

Video: Space Club: Mission to Moon

Video: Space Club: Mission to Mars

Space Club STEM Career Chats (YouTube Playlist)

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

Previous Career Chat Episodes:

76. Career Chat with an Astronaut

72. Astrophysics and Weightlifting with Dr. Roman Gomez

70. Career Chat with a Satellite Program Manager

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

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

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

46. STEM Career Chat with Bioengineer Dr. Georgia Lagoudas

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Maria’s Guest Blog Post: A Neuroscientists’s Top 5 STEM Activities for Kids & Families

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Digital STEM Choice Board: STEM Careers!

STEM Career Classroom Posters

Other STEM Resources

The Brain the Changes Itself - Norman Doidge (book)

Coursera - Medical Neuroscience by Dr. White at Duke University

Euclidean Geometry and Navigation

Learn Amigurumi: The Adorable Art of Knitting and Crocheting Small Creatures

The Shadown and Bone Trilogy - Boxed Set (books)

National Library of Medicine - Space–brain: The negative effects of space exposure on the central nervous system

Mayo Clinic - Chiari malformation

Raffle Prizes on this Career Chat:

mberry Miracle Berry Tablets

USB Microscope

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/88/what-does-a-brain-feel-like-ft-maria-garza

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Show Summary:

In today’s episode of The STEM Space, Claire shares an epiphany she had about teaching engineering to her students. Engineering and STEM tend to focus on identifying and solving a problem, but Claire proposes a shift for the way we frame engineering to one that is more inclusive, promotes empathy, and emphasizes growth mindset.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

79. The Impact of STEM (has Claire’s apple cobbler recipe)

68. Game Based Learning with André Thomas

60. Why Should You Have More Than One Solution?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward

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

12 Ways to Boose Social-Emotional Learning with STEM

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Roller Coaster STEM Activity

Design a Mars Colony: STEM / STEAM Project Guide

Engineering Design Teacher Slides - FREE in the STEM Explorer Library!

Other STEM Resources

Invention Convention

Smart City Challenge 2022

Article/Study: Shower thoughts explained! Scientists figure out why we get great ideas while washing

Aqua Notes Water Proof Note Pad (Vivify Amazon Affiliate Link)

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES:https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/87/how-is-stem-more-than-a-problem

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Show Summary:

In today's episode of The STEM Space, Natasha sits down with a special guest, Christy Hall. She joined Claire and Natasha recently in hosting a virtual Space competition called Space Teams, and we reflect on our experiences interviewing astronauts and space architects! Natasha talks with her about Claire, who is the STEM teacher for her two children! She gives an incredible perspective as a parent watching her kids discover STEM learning. We chat about weather balloons and animal habitats and what she believes has been the most valuable lesson her kids have learned from Claire. Enjoy!

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

83. How to Engage Families with STEM

81. Join a Virtual Space Mission [Space Teams]

58. Are You Training Up Innovators?

31. Reflections from a First Year STEM Teacher

Launching A High Altitude Balloon

27. Launching A High Altitude Balloon

30. Launching A High Altitude Balloon Part 2

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

10 Easy STEM Career Classroom Activities

The Importance of Failure

How to Launch a Weather Balloon: Ultimate STEM Challenge

10 Amazing STEM Family Night Activities

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

STEM Careers

Digital STEM Choice Board: STEM Careers!

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

Animal Habitat & Biomes STEM

STEM Scope and Sequence (Pacing Guide) - FREE!

Elementary (K - 5th)

Middle School (6th - 8th)

Weather Balloon Launch: STEM Engineering Project Guide

STEM Family Night Planning Guide, Activity Instructions, Posters

6 Icebreaker Teamwork Activities (includes Space Docking activity)

Other STEM Resources

Space Teams

YouTube: Space Teams Greg Johnson Interview with Claire and Christy

Henry Ford Invention Convention

Pitsco Education Family STEM Night Bundle (takes out all the guesswork!)

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/86/a-parents-perspective-of-stem

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Show Summary:

UPDATE: AS OF 2024, OUR RESOURCES ARE NOW INCLUDED IN EITHER THE FREE OR ALL-ACCESS MEMBERSHIP LIBRARIES! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! (Note: the All-Access Library membership is a full 365 days of access, while access to the free Explorer Library has no expiry.)

Are you a STEM educator or parent looking for guidance and resources? Claire and Natasha walk you through the Vivify STEM website which is packed with tons of free resources including instructional videos, activities, and more. Want to plan a year-long STEM program? Read our curriculum map post. Need holiday STEM activities? Download for free from our resource library. We show you all these resources plus how to connect with STEM professionals, join Space Club, check out the latest in STEM websites and competitions, and more!

Click here to watch this episode on our YouTube channel!

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

74. Rate My STEM Lesson

71. How to Create a Relevant STEM Challenge

65. How to Plan Your Year in STEM

21. Teaching Fads: Should You Teach STEM?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education

Rate Your STEM Lesson: What Stage is Your STEM Challenge?

Sub Plans for a STEM Classroom

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

STEM Scope and Sequence (Pacing Guide) - FREE in the STEM Space!

Sub Lesson Templates for a STEM Classroom

Other STEM Resources

Texas A&M Projects: 4-D Plus Printing of Multifunctional Metallic Materials

YouTube Video: Action Origami Paper Monkey with Cymbals

All About Space Club

Bring Space Club to Your School!

Blog: STEM Curriculum: Mission to Moon

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

Video: Space Club Mission to Moon Project Highlights Video

Video: Space Club Mission to Mars Project Highlights Video

Podcast: 37. The Learning Potential of Space Club

Vivify STEM store

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/85/how-to-navigate-vivify-stems-resources

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Show Summary:

Have you been spending your own money on STEM supplies? We are here to help! In this episode, Natasha and Claire discuss ways to get money for your STEM program. Whether you are interested in writing grants or reaching out to potential donors, we are sharing all of our tips and tricks to get you funded.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

83. How to Engage Families with STEM

56. What Do Kids Need To Prepare For Engineering?

52: How to Host a STEM Family Night

43. How Do We Define Success In STEM?

29. Why Do We Teach Engineering in Schools?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

5 Steps to Get STEM Funding

Must Haves for a STEM Lab

How to Launch a Weather Balloon: Ultimate STEM Challenge

Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Weather Balloon Launch: STEM Engineering Project Guide

STEM Family Night Planning Guide, Activity Instructions, Posters

Other STEM Resources

LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box (Vivify STEM Amazon Affiliate link)

ZOOB 250-Piece Set (Vivify STEM Amazon Affiliate link)

AIAA Foundation Classroom Grant Program

Grants for Education | Air & Space Forces Association

DonorsChoose.org

News Article: Toyota Texas San Antonio invests over $200,000 in local STEM education

News Article: STEM Programs Expand to Include More San Antonio Students (Boeing)

STEMfinity.com

Walmart Community Grants

Candid.org

Pitsco Education Family STEM Night Bundle (takes out all the guesswork!)

All About Space Club

Bring Space Club to Your School! (Now FREE!)

Blog: STEM Curriculum: Mission to Moon

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

Video: Space Club Mission to Moon Project Highlights Video

Video: Space Club Mission to Mars Project Highlights Video

Podcast: 37. The Learning Potential of Space Club

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES: https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/84/show-me-the-money-for-stem

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Show Summary:

Getting families involved with your school can be rewarding in many ways. Showcase your STEM program by hosting a STEM Family Night! Tune in as Claire shares her recent experience of hosting one and ways you can successfully get parents excited about STEM at your school too.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

67. Is STEM After School Effective?

52: How to Host a STEM Family Night

31. Reflections from a First Year STEM Teacher

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

10 Amazing STEM Family Night Activities

A Neuroscientists’s Top 5 STEM Activities for Kids & Families

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Bundle: STEM Family Night Planning Guide, STEM Activity Instructions, Posters

Individual stations Claire mentions:

Hoop Glider Challenge

Straw Rocket STEM Challenge - K-3 or 4-10

Amazing Architects: STEM Family Night Task Cards

STEM Sailboat Challenge

Microscope Mystery: Life Science Center

Other STEM Resources

Pitsco Education Straw Rockets - Starter Kit

Quiver App - AR Coloring

App Store

Google Play

Pitsco Education Family STEM Night Bundle (takes out all the guesswork!)

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES:https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/83/how-to-engage-families-with-stem

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Show Summary:

Have you used rockets in your classroom or program? They have the potential to launch your students into a love for STEM, but there can also be some misconceptions that need to be addressed. In this episode, Claire and Natasha are sharing their experiences and advice on how you can rock it with rockets!

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

52: How to Host a STEM Family Night

45. The Best STEM Challenge Ever

39. How Did We Get Here?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

How to Launch Rockets blog posts

I Didn't Always Want to be an Engineer

Vivify STEM Lessons & Products

Straw Rocket STEM Challenge - K-3 or 4-10

Bundle: STEM Family Night Planning Guide, STEM Activity Instructions, Posters

STEM Balloon Rocket Design Challenge

Other STEM Resources

NASA Artemis

NASA's Final Space Shuttle Launch 10th Anniversary Replay

Estes Alpha III Model Rocket (Vivify Amazon Affiliate link)

Grants for Education | Air & Space Forces Association

Pitsco Education Straw Rockets - Starter Kit

NASA Video: Apollo 15 Proves Galileo Correct (Hammer & Feather on Moon)

The American Rocketry Challenge (TARC)

Pitsco Education Family STEM Night Bundle (takes out all the guesswork!)

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES:https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/82/how-to-rock-it-with-rockets

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Show Summary:

In this episode, Natasha talks with a group of aerospace engineering students from Texas A&M University. They are part of the team behind an amazing K-12 STEM program called Space Teams, a six-day virtual space mission for students 12 - 18. A new Space Teams mission is coming up in October, and we thought it would be fun to bring some of the team to share more about this program and their own personal journeys in STEM.

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Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

59. How to Motivate Students and Regulate Emotions in STEM

56. What Do Kids Need To Prepare For Engineering?

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

Digital STEM Choice Board: STEM Careers!

STEM Careers BINGO Game! (Middle & High School)

Interview Questions to ask STEM Professionals

Inspirational STEM Classroom Posters

STEM Career Classroom Posters

Other STEM Resources

Space Teams:

- Official Site

- Video: Highlights: 2022 International SpaceCRAFT Exploration Challenge (YouTube)

Astronaut and Space Teams founder Gregory Chamitoff (Wikipedia)

STS (Space Transportation System) information

STS-124 (Wikipedia)

STS-124 Space Shuttle Launch

NASA Centers and Facilities

First Lego League

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES:https://www.vivifystem.com/thestemspace/2022/81/join-a-virtual-space-mission

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