The STEM Space

Show Summary:

Welcome back to the second part of Natasha and Claire’s conversation with the co-founders of Qweebi! In this episode, they shift gears to explore the story behind Qweebi’s creation by diving into the partnership of Aman and Vivek. They’ll uncover how these two visionaries met, what brought them together, and what it’s like to collaborate as co-founders on a mission to transform STEM education. And stay tuned to the end when Aman and Vivek turn the tables to ask Claire and Natasha about their journey as co-founders of Vivify STEM.

Qweebi is the first-ever online makerspace that lets teachers run STEM projects across engineering, electronics, and robotics without needing any supplies. All projects are aligned to NGSS standards and designed to hit learning outcomes for grades 3-8. Want to learn more about Qweebi?Try out the Roller Coaster project for FREE!

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

169. A Virtual STEM Makerspace ft. Qweebi (Part 1)

4. Why You Should Teach Space

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

I Didn’t Always Want to be an Engineer

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

Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education

How to Start an After School STEM Club

Vivify STEM Lessons

Vivify Space Curriculum:

- Mission to Moon: K-5, 6-8, or try our 6-8 Semester-Long STEM Unit

- Mission to Mars: K-5, 6-8, or Mars also has a 6-8 Semester-Long STEM Unit

- Orbital Mission STEM Curriculum Unit (5-8)

Other STEM Resources

Qweebi

Qweebi - Try the Roller Coaster project for FREE!

Aman’s Favorite Book: The Beginning of Infinity

Vivify Research & Publications

Meet the Vivify Team

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY TWITTER

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

Are you a STEM teacher feeling overwhelmed by limited time, storage, and funding? Then this episode of The STEM Space is for you! Claire and Natasha sit down with the visionary co-founders of Qweebi, a tech company on a mission to revolutionize STEM education. Qweebi is a virtual makerspace where students design, build, and test everything from rovers to rollercoasters in an online environment that mimics real-world physics. This hands-on, engaging experience eliminates the need for physical supplies while fostering creativity and authentic engineering learning. As the first of a two-part series, this episode explores the inspiration behind Qweebi, its innovative features, and how it aligns with STEM learning goals.

Want to learn more about Qweebi? Try out the Roller Coaster project for FREE!

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

164. STEM Overload: A STEM Space Q&A

115. How to Design a Makerspace

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education

Engineering in the Science Classroom

Must Haves for a STEM Lab

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

How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward

Vivify STEM Lessons

Astro-Rover Space Science & Engineering Design Unit

Roller Coaster STEM Activity - K-5 or 5-8

Other STEM Resources

Qweebi

Qweebi - Try the Roller Coaster project for FREE!

The Beginning of Infinity

Rube Goldberg Contests (challenges)

Vivify STEM Quick Tips

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY TWITTER

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

In this episode of The STEM Space, Claire is on a mission to rescue her Mission to Mars plant (yes, it's a real plant!), while Natasha rants about the relentless fire alarms in the dorm and the frigid New England winter. Along the way, we find connections to STEM everywhere - from a freaky football pass that seems to defy physics to Claire’s plant that drips blood! We also chat about our resolutions for the New Year, sharing strategies for building positive routines and behaviors for our kids and classrooms as the new semester kicks off.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

154. How to Make Space for STEM

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

10 Tips for Managing a STEM Classroom

5 Tips for Teaching STEM With Robots

How to Launch a Weather Balloon: Ultimate STEM Challenge

Vivify STEM Lessons (*no plants included, sadly)

Plants in Space*

Mission to Mars STEM Curriculum*

Sphero Robotic Programming Maze Challenge - FREE in The STEM Space Explorer Library!

Weather Balloon Launch: STEM Engineering Project Guide

Other STEM Resources

Mission to Mars plant

America's Public Lands Explained

Hot Springs - National Park Service

BYU - Idaho | The Big Bang Theory - Sheldon Trains Penny (2:45)

Sphero Global Challenge | STEM & Robotics Competitions

SEEC: Space Exploration Educators Conference

Email us your questions and more!

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK

VIVIFY YOUTUBE

Show Summary:

Natasha chats with a former STEM educator turned founder and CEO of WhyMaker, Liz Gallo. Liz is on a mission to design the future of education, where teachers act as learning engineers, equipping their students to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.

Listen in as they chat about her decade-long experience as a technology and engineering educator and her transition to being the leader of WhyMaker, which has made a tangible impact on over 15,000 educators worldwide, inspiring a new generation of innovators and problem-solvers. She also shares her vision for STEM education, not just as an elective, but as a transformative approach to school. Part of this vision is bringing the real-world into the classroom, such as her work in partnering with companies in the sustainability sector to engage students with cutting-edge technologies, explore career pathways in clean energy, and contribute to solutions for global sustainability challenges. They also discuss her book, Educators Guide to Design Thinking, a practical workbook to implement project-based design experiences with your students.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

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

122. How to Motivate Students

166. Why Math Matters ft. CEO of NMSI

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Not All STEM is Equal: The 3 Stages of STEM

Top 10 Ways To Encourage Girls In STEM

How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward

Brick by Brick: Intro to Criteria and Constraints

Vivify STEM Lessons

Astronaut Training: 4 Cs of STEM (Back to School STEM Activities)

Growth Mindset Back to School Rocket About Me Activity

Tower STEM Challenges: 5 Icebreaker Activities

Brick by Brick: Intro to Criteria and Constraints - FREE in The STEM Space Explorer Library!

Editable Budget Sheets - FREE in The STEM Space Explorer Library!

Other STEM Resources

WhyMaker | Website, Facebook, Instagram, or X

LEGO Architecture Empire State Building

New York State Department of Education CTE requirements

Book | Educators Guide to Design Thinking

Arduino

Email us your questions and more!

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

This episode of The STEM Space is all about math! Math might be the M in STEM, but it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves in K-12 STEM education efforts. Yet, its role is critical—not just for academic success, but for preparing students to solve real-world problems.

To help us understand why math matters and how it can drive opportunity for students, Natasha speaks with Jeremy Anderson, CEO of the National Math + Science Initiative. Jeremy leads a dedicated team working to close opportunity gaps and expand college access through rigorous STEM programs. With over 25 years of experience in education policy, Jeremy brings deep insights into how math education can empower students and transform lives.

In their conversation, they’ll discuss NMSI’s mission, the importance of math education, and how connecting it to real-world challenges can boost student interest and engagement.

About Jeremy:

Before joining NMSI in August 2023, Jeremy served as the president of the Education Commission of the States (ECS), where he expanded the organization's policy presence and worked with state and federal leaders on various policy initiatives. Jeremy also has a background in strategic communications, political campaigns, public affairs, and government relations, which enables him to effectively advocate for NMSI's proven STEM solutions and partnerships. He is passionate about advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in education, and is proud to work alongside NMSI's talented and diverse staff and partners.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

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

127. Why You Should Teach About STEM Careers

117. Why Does Belonging Matter in STEM Education?

161. Making Tech Education Accessible ft. imagi Co-Founders

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Top 10 Ways To Encourage Girls In STEM

7 Activities Featuring Women in STEM History

Not All STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education

Incorporating Engineering Practices into Texas Science Classrooms

10 Easy STEM Career Classroom Activities

Vivify STEM Lessons

Think Like a Scientist: Nature of Science 5E Inquiry Unit

STEM Catapult Math & Engineering Activity

Straw Rocket STEM Challenge

Women in STEM History Engineering Challenges

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

STEM Careers BINGO Game: K-5 or 5-12

Other STEM Resources

LinkedIn | Jeremy Anderson

National Math + Science Initiative

- Get Involved

CNBC | The 10 most valuable college degrees—they're all in STEM

Texas Regional Pathways Network

Subscribe to the Vivify STEM Newsletter!

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

Claire and Natasha catch up after a Thanksgiving holiday break filled with family, fun, and a little bit of chaos! They also share creative ways to STEMify your Elf on the Shelf before they pick back up on the last episode’s discussion of what they found to be their most valuable experiences to prepare for engineering. (Spoiler Alert: it wasn’t design challenges!)

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

164. STEM Overload: A STEM Space Q&A

129. A Good & Bad Example of Phenomenon-Based Teaching

Is Teaching Engineering Bad?

- Episode 137 (Part 1)

- Episode 139 (Part 2)

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Get Your Elf Off That Shelf with STEM

How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward

Vivify STEM Lessons

Elf STEM

- Elf Sledding Adventure

- Elf Zip Line

- Elf Pendulum Adventure

Intro to Science & Engineering: STEM Critical Thinking Challenges

Other STEM Resources

Vivify Research & Publications

YouTube: SHARING HER PASSION | Tatiana Erukhimova Ph.D. (Texas A&M Physics Professor - videos went viral for physics phenomenon demonstrations)

Gain access to Vivify’s expanding lesson library when you become a member of The STEM Space!

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY TWITTER

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

Claire and Natasha tackle your questions from The STEM Space Facebook group! Listen as they dive into everything—from seasoned teachers venting about how STEM feels watered down to newer teachers feeling totally overwhelmed or unsure about engineering— and chat through your comments, share their thoughts, and hopefully give you some tips and encouragement along the way!

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

105. Explaining the 3 Stages of STEM

Is Teaching Engineering Bad? - Part 1 and Part 2

145. How to Create an Engineering Lesson

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Not All STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education

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

Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning

7 Ideas for Teaching Social Studies with STEM

Vivify STEM Lessons

Astronaut Training: 4 Cs of STEM (Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity)

Drag Device

Scope & Sequence - FREE - K-5 or 6-8

Find Your Student Sparks - FREE in The STEM Space Explorer Library!

Heavy Lift Rocket Challenge

Other STEM Resources

The STEM Space Facebook group

U.S. Department of Education | Gifted education and STEM: A Thematic Review (PDF)

Vivify STEM Recommendations

Need help? Email us at [email protected]

The STEM Space Explorer Library - FREE

Vivify STEM Research & Publications

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY TWITTER

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

From Sphero chariot races to a straw rocket challenge between engineers and educators, Claire and Natasha reflect on the K-12 Educator Institute, a workshop they facilitated as part of the Great Minds In STEM conference. They share ideas and big takeaways for facilitating STEM PD for teachers. Claire also tortures Natasha with questions from her students' “Brain Building Box!”

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

125. Constraints in a STEM Classroom

119. Think Like A Scientist

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education

Pipe Cleaner STEM Challenge

Basics of Sphero Robotics + 3 Awesome Sphero STEM Activities (includes Sphero Chariots)

STEM Family Night Planning Guide

Vivify STEM Lessons

STEM Tower Challenges

STEM Space Lander Challenge - K-5 or 6-8

Lunar Crater STEM Challenge

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

Mission to Moon Semester STEM Unit + Moon Colony Project! (includes Roller Coaster Challenge and Moon Planning game)

Mission to Mars Semester STEM Unit + Mars Colony Project! (includes Lander Challenge and Mars Planning game)

Straw Rocket STEM Challenge - K-2 or 3-10

Roller Coaster STEM Challenge - K-5 or 5-8

Brick by Brick: Introduction to Criteria and Constraints - FREE in The STEM Space Explorer Library!

Other STEM Resources

Great Minds In STEM

Northrop Grumman

NASA Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC)

Quick Tips

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

Natasha chats with Tara Tony, a high school student passionate about environmental advocacy. Tara serves as a student commissioner on the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Commission (EESC) in Milpitas, California. She shares her experiences from the EESC, where she became inspired to launch EcoInsight, an online platform aimed at raising awareness of biodiversity loss.

Tara also discusses the EcoInnovate Competition, a nationwide challenge for middle and high school students to submit innovative conservation projects. Learn more about this initiative and how to get involved at EcoInnovate. As of posting, current competition deadline is November 15th, 2024.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

132. The Focus of an Engineering Design Competition

108. A STEM Challenge with Earthquakes ft. Kristina Ohl

66. Eco-House Sustainable STEM with Kristina Ohl

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Top 10 Ways To Encourage Girls In STEM

Exploring National Parks with a STEM Challenge!

Ocean STEM Activities

Design a Sustainable Eco-House STEM Project

Design A School Garden STEM Project

Vivify STEM Lessons

Design a Sustainable Eco-House STEM Project (Environmental Science 5E PBL)

Oil Spill STEM Challenge

Ocean Debris Engineering Design STEM Challenge

Design a School Garden: STEM Project Guide

Other STEM Resources

EcoInnovate

Milpitas Energy & Environmental Sustainability Commission

Email us your questions and more!

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

Natasha sits down for a chat with Dora Palfi and Beatrice Ionascu, co-founders of imagi, a Swedish EdTech startup dedicated to closing the gender gap in tech by sparking a passion for technology in all children through fun and inclusive computer science education.

Dora and Beatrice met while studying at NYU Abu Dhabi and went on to work in various large tech companies. Their experiences, often as the only women in male-dominated tech environments, fueled their desire to create imagi, with the vision of transforming the tech industry and broadening access to computer science education, particularly for underrepresented groups.

imagi's AI-powered Python programming platform equips educators—regardless of their coding background—with the tools to teach a dynamic, engaging curriculum to middle school students, promoting inclusivity across gender and race. After just one hour of coding with imagi, one in three girls and non-binary students report increased interest in coding, and 85% of all students find the experience "fun" after their first lesson. Having reached more than 300,000 students in 140 countries, cultivating a vibrant global community of young coders who have collectively generated over 19 million lines of Python code, imagi is making strides in reshaping the future of tech education globally.

For more details, visit imagi's website.

You can use the Vivify promo code for 15% off a purchase of imagiCharms! Just use vivifystem15 or this link.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

98. Who is an Engineer?

50. How to Involve Girls in After-School STEM

122. How to Motivate Students

121. The Importance of Clear Communication in Science

114. Strategies for a Teacherpreneur

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Top 10 Ways To Encourage Girls In STEM

Motivation: How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward

Vivify STEM Lessons

Who is an Engineer or Scientist? STEM Career Game & Activity (Break down stereotypes!)

Picture a STEM Professional Critical Thinking Worksheet

Bridge Engineering STEM Challenge - Women in STEM History Activity

Starter STEM Activities Engineering Challenges

Other STEM Resources

imagi

weSTEM @ NYUAD

Girls outperform boys at school, yet still shy away from STEM — Download the full study here: Hands Up for Gender Equality: A Major Study into Confidence and Career Intentions of Adolescent Girls and Boys

Give P's a Chance: Projects, Peers, Passion, Play by M Resnick (PDF)

Scratch - Imagine, Program, Share

Subscribe to the Vivify STEM Newsletter!

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK