The STEM Space

Show Summary:

Claire reflects on the success of her recent Star Party event. She also shares a Show and Tell activity with her STEM students, which is a great way to practice communication skills. Claire even participates by bringing a surprising object from home—something you use every day, but probably not what you're expecting! Tune in to find out what it is. Meanwhile, Natasha, as always, delves into the broader implications of integrating engineering into the classroom, exploring the challenges of teaching it as a profession versus as a subject.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

159. A Vision for K-12 Engineering Education

105. Explaining the 3 Stages of STEM

156. Would an Engineer Solve Your Problem?

137. Is Teaching Engineering Bad?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education

10 Easy STEM Career Classroom Activities

Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning

Vivify STEM Lessons

Explore the Universe - FREE in The STEM Space Explorer Library

Simple Machines Toy Factory STEM Challenge

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

STEM Catapult Challenge

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

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

Other STEM Resources

Fort Worth Astronomical Society: Star Parties

NASA | Messier 57 (better known as the Ring Nebula)

Space.com | Draconid meteor shower 2024: When, where & how to see it

Space Teams

wikiHow | How Does a Toilet Work? A Step-by-Step Breakdown

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 is preparing for her first-ever Star Party family event, and Natasha gives her tips on everything from using a sky app to making constellation-themed hot chocolate! We also dive into a new Framework for Engineering Learning that the Vivify team is developing. What are the main learning goals of engineering? What does a year-long STEM program look like? Listen in for our vision for K-12 STEM education.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

126. Star Parties & Thematic Classroom Attire

156. Would an Engineer Solve Your Problems?

105. Explaining the 3 Stages of STEM

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Not All STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education

Vivify STEM Lessons

Explore the Universe - FREE in The STEM Space Explorer Library

Astronaut Training: 4 C’s of STEM

Heart Rate Ratios and Graphing Activity

STEM Tower Challenges

STEM Choice Boards Bundle: Career, Field Trip, & Space Missions

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

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

Weather Balloon Launch: STEM Engineering Project Guide

Mission to Moon or Mission to Mars Semester STEM Unit

Other STEM Resources

SkyView® App - Google Play or Apple

Fort Worth Astronomical Society: Star Parties

Vivify STEM Research & Publications

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY TWITTER

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

In this episode, Natasha and Claire discuss a new framework for teaching STEM. Hear about resources for intentional and authentic learning experiences in STEM and advice on what to focus on when you are short on time.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

150. Screw the Standards! Or Should We? ft. Dr. Pedersen

74. Rate My STEM Lesson

136. Cool Lessons on Heat Transfer

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning

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

Vivify STEM Lessons

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

Drag Device STEM Challenge

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

Heat Shield Challenge

Other STEM Resources

Vivify Research & Publications - includes parts of Dr. Natasha’s dissertation: Pre-College Engineering: Perspectives of Engineering Faculty as well as Learning Goals in Middle School Engineering: A Systematic Review and Comparison with NGSS and ASEE Frameworks

Quick Tips

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

In this episode, Claire speaks with Ike Theriot, a NASA EVA Flight Controller and Astronaut Instructor, who highlights the power of curiosity and the importance of following your passions in the space industry. He shares personal experiences in working for NASA and training astronauts, showing how a love for exploration shaped his career. Tune in to discover how pursuing your interests can open unexpected doors in science, technology, and beyond.

Ike currently serves as an EVA Flight Controller and Astronaut Instructor in the Flight Operations Directorate at Johnson Space Center. He supports real-time ISS EVA operations by planning EVA’s, training astronauts to perform those EVA’s, and supporting execution from Mission Control as a flight controller. Ike also develops and trains Artemis EVA operational concepts for navigation, timeline management, and suit and tool use for lunar surface operations.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

153. Don’t Tell Your Kid to be an Engineer

73. Does STEM Track?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Astronaut Training and the 4 C's of STEM

Top 10 Ways To Encourage Girls In STEM

How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward

Vivify STEM Lessons

Astronaut Training: 4 Cs of STEM

Intro to Coding: STEM Activity

Musical Instrument STEM Challenge

STEM Creativity Tools: 5 Activities to Boost Brainstorming Power

Mission to Moon Middle School STEM Curriculum Unit

Other STEM Resources

NASA | Meet the Teams Leading Moonwalking Test Mission (ft. Ike Theriot)

NASA | Artemis

NASA | STEM Resources and Opportunities

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 and Claire discuss the importance of teaching engineering in the context of real-world engineering challenges. They work to define what constitutes a true engineering problem and highlight the significance of providing students with authentic engineering experiences that mimic the complexities and challenges of the real world.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

87. How is STEM More Than a Problem?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Engineering in the Science Classroom

Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning

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

Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education

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

Vivify STEM Lessons

Ocean Debris Engineering Design STEM Challenge

Design a School Garden: STEM Project Guide

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

Space Capsule Heat Shield 5E Engineering Challenge (MS-PS3-3)

Other STEM Resources

MIT AeroAstro

MIT Residential Scholars FAQ

List of “Engineering Problems”

Strawberry DNA Experiment

Taco Party

News Article: Normal Fire Department Uses Tacos To Educate On Weather Lingo (And Go Viral)

The “Poop” Rule: Instead of asking "Does it spark joy?" try this.

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:

What is your greatest challenge as a STEM educator? In this episode, Claire and Natasha respond to concerns from K-12 STEM teachers who posted their challenges in The STEM Space Facebook group. We tackle everything from getting kids to accept math is part of science, overcoming learned helplessness, and juggling hundreds of students a week. Listen in for this rapid-fire session!

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

135. What Should Students Learn? (“pontificate” episode)

122. How to Motivate Students

146. Is It Squishy? How to Build Engineering Intuition

73. Does STEM Track?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

10 Easy STEM Career Classroom Activities

10 Tips for Managing a STEM Classroom

How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward (includes photos of Claire’s tower failure)

Football STEM Challenge!

Vivify STEM Lessons

Who is an Engineer or Scientist? STEM Career Game & Activity (breaking stereotypes)

Newspaper STEM Challenges

Heart Rate Ratios & Graphing Activity

Math and Sports Activity Bundle: Ratios and Proportions

Brain Safety STEM Challenge: Design a Football Helmet

FREE Scope & Sequence - Elementary School | Middle School

FREE Interview Questions for STEM Professionals

Other STEM Resources

The STEM Space Facebook Group

“Pontificate” clip | Vivify TikTok

“If I Built a Car” by Chris Van Dusen | Amazon Affiliate link

Wildlife Discovery Trunks (Texas Only, but you can check with your state’s wildlife association)

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:

In this episode of The STEM Space, Claire and Natasha answer a question from a listener: “For those of you who teach multiple grades in a day, how do you organize all your stuff that goes with each class?” Claire, a K-8 STEM teacher, gives us all her tips and tricks for managing the STEM supply chaos!

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

121. The Importance of Clear Communication in Science

44. How Do You Manage Your STEM Classroom?

125. Constraints in a STEM Classroom

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

10 Tips for Managing a STEM Classroom

Top 10 Back to School STEM Tools!

Vivify STEM Lessons

Back to School STEM: 6 Icebreaker Teamwork Activities (includes pipeline challenge)

FREE - Editable Budget Sheet for Engineering Design Challenges

Roller Coaster STEM Challenge (K-5 or 6-8)

FREE - Editable Teacher Slides for Engineering Design Challenges

Newspaper STEM Challenges

Other STEM Resources

Don’t Wake the Dragon by Bianca Schulze

FREE - Space Club

Communities in Schools - San Antonio (CISSA)

Facebook: The STEM Space

Claire’s STEM Organization finds:

- Shelf brackets

- Plastic bins

- STEM composition notebook

- More plastic bins

- Makerspace bins

- Vivify Amazon Storefront

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 navigates the whirlwind of back-to-school season, sharing favorite moments from her K-8 STEM classroom, including a fun bar graph icebreaker that got her students engaged. Natasha reflects on her daughter's transition to 1st grade and how she loves to find math in everyday life. Together, they discuss how STEM classrooms can bring subjects like math and science to life, inspiring a love for learning. Many define STEM as preparing students for in-demand jobs, but we value the importance of nurturing students’ passions, using real-world connections in the STEM classroom to help them better understand the world around them, rather than focusing solely on job skills.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

127. Why You Should Teach About STEM Careers

144. Another Year of Smashing STEM

122. How to Motivate Students

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

10 Easy STEM Career Classroom Activities (includes Sparks!)

How to Teach STEM Through A Story

Vivify STEM Lessons

STEM Careers BINGO Game for K-5 or 6-8

Technology Choice Board Bundle

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

Alphabet STEM - Introduce PreK-1 to STEM!

Other STEM Resources

Vivify TikTok: Claire’s STEM Classroom Tour (ft. the Nature Wall)

Quick Tips

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

In this episode of The STEM Space, Natasha recounts a dramatic story from her trip to Greece, while Claire hopes she's finally learned a valuable lesson. We also discuss gearing up for the back-to-school season including some unique finds from Claire’s Amazon wish list for her STEM classroom!

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

98. Who is an Engineer?

116. Back to School Icebreakers

90. We Launched a Weather Balloon

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Top 10 Ways To Encourage Girls In STEM

Must Haves for a STEM Lab

Get Your STEM Classroom Ready for Back to School!

Vivify STEM Lessons

Back to School STEM: 6 Icebreaker Teamwork Activities

Desk Name Tags / Desk Name Plates STEM Activity for Back to School

Growth Mindset Back to School Rocket About Me Activity

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

Weather Balloon Launch: STEM Engineering Project Guide

Other STEM Resources

Traditional Magiritsa recipe

- Claire’s Finds! (Can also be found in Vivify’s Amazon Storefront)

- Cutting mat

- Knife pen

- Water bottle holder

- Hardware storage organizer

- Space band-aids 

- Non-stick silicone mat for hot glue guns

- Hot glue gun finger protectors

- Raingutter Regatta inflatable raceway

- One-way mirror window film

Vivify’s TikTok | Claire’s Classroom Moon DIY

Vivify’s TikTok | Weather Balloon Launch

Sphero Global Challenge

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:

Claire and Natasha continue their discussions with Dr. Rachelle Pedersen on best practices in STEM education. Hear how she gets students to discover engineering design criteria and other ways you can engage your students in developing engineering skills. Accept the challenge with us to highlight the skills and stories of real engineers with our free interview questions and tune in to find out what we are doing with it!

Dr. Rachelle Pedersen is an Assistant Professor of STEM Education at Texas Tech University.

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK