The STEM Space

Show Summary:

Claire and Natasha have another chat with Dr. Rachelle Pedersen on how STEM teachers should incorporate the engineering standards in NGSS and beyond. Gain insight from the perspective of three engineers with research-backed education philosophies on what your students need to know about engineering in K-12. The answer may surprise you! Tune in to hear strategies and ideas for providing engineering experiences and building intuition with your students.

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

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

149. Moving Beyond Design Challenges ft. Dr. Pedersen

137. Is Teaching Engineering Bad?

98. Who is an Engineer?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

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

Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning

Vivify STEM Lessons

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

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

Drag Device STEM Challenge

Ancient Greece Simple Machines STEM Challenge

Space Capsule Heat Shield Challenge

Other STEM Resources

Teaching Texas | Podcast on Spotify

YouTube | Vivify STEM - STEM Career Chats

Powell's Books | The World's Largest Independent Bookstore

Book: "How Things Work" by Michael Dahl seems to actually be out of print! :(

Book: How Nearly Everything Was Invented (Amazon affiliate link)

Equipped for Life: Gendered Technical Training and Consumerism in Home Economics, 1920-1980

About Lillian Gilbreth

HowStuffWorks NOW | Podcast on Spotify

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:

Natasha is joined by her former classmate Dr. Rachelle Pedersen, an engineer turned educator who is an Assistant Professor of STEM Education at Texas Tech University. Natasha and Rachelle reflect on their time at the American Society of Engineering Education Conference, including how to move beyond repetitive engineering design challenges. Rachelle and Natasha are also founding board members of the Cosmic Leap Foundation which is now offering Space Club curriculum and training for FREE to any K-8 educator. 

Learn more at https://www.stemspaceclub.com/

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

133. Conferences You Should Attend in 2024

98. Who is an Engineer?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Top 10 STEM Space Activities

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

The Importance of Failure

Engineering in the Science Classroom

Intro to Science & Engineering: STEM Critical Thinking Challenges

Vivify STEM Lessons

STEM Space Lander Challenge

Bridge Engineering STEM Challenge

Mission to Moon (K-5 or 6-8) or Mission to Mars (K-5 or 6-8) STEM Curriculum

Other STEM Resources

2024 ASEE Annual Conference

LEGO® Bank Activity

Texas Tech STEM Specialization

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY TWITTER

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

In this episode, Natasha is joined by Vivify STEM Education Specialist Lauren Kelly who shares some exciting updates from a recent computer science conference in Fort Worth, Texas. She shares all about how to use AI in the classroom, an inexpensive technology tool called Micro:Bit, and a brief overview of the newly released technology application standards for Texas Teachers. Lauren is a STEM /GT specialist and instructional coach in Crowly ISD with over 12 years of education experience and loves learning the latest in STEM education to support teachers!

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

142. An AI Lesson Gone Awry

111. How AI will Transform Education ft. André Thomas

101. How ChatGPT Will Transform Education

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Best Free AI Tools for Educators

Hour of Code Resources + Unplugged Coding Activity

Engineering and the 5E Science Model

Vivify STEM Lessons

Intro to Coding STEM Activity

Welcome Tower Design Challenge

Mission to Moon Semester STEM Unit + Moon Colony Project!

Technology Choice Boards

Other STEM Resources

We Teach_CS Summit 2024

Technology Applications TEKS Changes Coming for 2024-25 School Year

Texas Advanced Computing Center - Professional Development

Rice University Office of STEM Engagement

Micro:Bit

MakeCode.org

Magic School AI

Code.org/AI

Quick Tips

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

Are you a teacher who has had an amazing experience? What about a lesson gone awry? Did it happen to be weather-related? Things have heated up in Texas as Natasha tells Claire all about an adventure in the summer heat with STEM and how teachers can adapt when things are not exactly going according to plan.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

57. How to Organize a STEM Summer Camp

122. How to Motivate Students

18. What You Should Know About Failure

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Design A School Garden STEM Project

10 Simple Summer STEM Activities

Vivify STEM Lessons

Design a School Garden: STEM Project Guide

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

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

Summer STEM Activity Calendar

Solar Oven STEM Challenge

STEM Family Night

Other STEM Resources

George Strait Makes History With Record-Setting Concert At Kyle Field

Air Tractor

TAMU Physics & Engineering Festival

Pitsco Straw Rocket Launcher

New Scouts Badge: Air of the Wolf Adventure for 2024

Camp Howdy

Space Teams

Estes Rockets: Alpha III Launch Set (affiliate link)

Email us your questions and more!

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

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Show Summary:

Claire and Natasha continue the conversation around how to build intuition for engineering design challenges. What should happen during the brainstorm phase of a design challenge? How do we intentionally support design decisions, especially around material selection? We also challenge the NGSS focus on design practices and propose a shift towards learning of engineering sciences.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

145. How to Create an Engineering Lesson

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

103. Teaching Light & Breaking Misconceptions

136. Cool Lessons on Heat Transfer

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning

Engineering in the Science Classroom

The Importance of Failure

How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward

Vivify STEM Lessons

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

Bridge Engineering STEM Challenge

Density/Buoyancy STEM:

1) Ocean Study: 5E Science Unit (Sink/Float, Salinity, Ocean Layers)

2) STEM Pirate Ship Engineering Challenge (K-5)

3) STEM Sailboat Challenge (4-10)

Drag STEM:

1) Alphabet STEM - Activities for Letter D (PreK - 1)

2) STEM Drag Device Parachute Challenge (2-8)

Heat Transfer: Space Capsule Heat Shield 5E Engineering Challenge

STEM Space Lander Challenge

Other STEM Resources

NOAA | The Great Texas Freeze: February 11-20, 2021

University of Wisconsin-Madison | What keeps the water in the pail?

NASA | Newton's Laws of Motion - Glenn Research Center

University of Nevada-Reno | How many states of matter are there? Physics professor shares his thoughts on a surprisingly difficult question

YouTube | Toy Story: “Unidirectional bonding strip!” clip

Subscribe to the Vivify STEM Newsletter!

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

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Show Summary:

Are you needing to plan an engineering lesson for your K-12 classroom? In this episode of the STEM Space, Natasha and Claire unpack their approach to developing a Stage 2 lesson that centers around the engineering design process. They discuss how to be intentional with science concepts, including the difference between engineering sciences and natural sciences, how to support engineering practices, and ways to integrate real world connections.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

105. Explaining the 3 Stages of STEM

120. Prioritizing Prototypes & Assessing STEM

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

25. Teaching Fads: Should You Have A Makerspace?

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

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

Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning

How to Teach STEM Through A Story

How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward

Vivify STEM Lessons

Prosthetic Leg STEM Challenge

Earthquake STEM Challenge

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

Bridge STEM Challenge

Other STEM Resources

Popular Mechanics: Nugget Ice Has a Cult-Like Following. Its Engineering Can Explain Why

Bring Space Club to your school!

NGSS Standard HS-LS2-7 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Become a member of The STEM Space!

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

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VIVIFY TWITTER

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Show Summary:

In this episode of the STEM Space, Claire and Natasha have reached the final day of the 2023-2024 school year! From 3D printed bridges to literally smashing STEM projects, the final days of Claire’s STEM class were dramatic but filled with memorable learning moments. Natasha also celebrates her recent Ph.D. defense and shares some ideas for a summer STEM camp.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

108. A STEM Challenge with Earthquakes ft. Kristina Ohl

55: How to Teach STEM During Women's History Month

122. How to Motivate Students (ft. Claire’s Nature Wall)

90. We Launched a Weather Balloon

57. How to Organize a STEM Summer Camp

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

7 Activities Featuring Women in STEM History

5 Life Science STEM Activities for Elementary

Launching Weather Balloons

Vivify STEM Lessons

Earthquake 5E STEM Challenge

Bridge Engineering STEM Challenge

Biomimicry STEM Unit

Weather Balloon Project Guide

FREE Scope & Sequence: Elementary School (K-5), Middle School (6-8)

Launchpad (K-5): Mission to Moon or Mission to Mars

Middle School (6-8): Mission to Moon or Mission to Mars

STEM Explorers

Pollinator Hotel STEM Challenge

Weather STEM Hail Protection Challenge

Summer STEM Activity Calendar

Summer Bucket List - FREE in The STEM Space Explorer Lesson Library

Other STEM Resources

Congratulate Natasha on her Ph.D. on the Vivify Facebook or Instagram!

NPR: Meet The Geologists Mapping D.C. And All Of Its Faults

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

Tinkercad

NASA Looks to Advance 3D Printing Construction Systems for the Moon and Mars

Vivify TikTok: Weather Balloon Launch

Sphero RVR [Vivify STEM Amazon Affiliate Link}

Sphero Global Challenge

FIRST® LEGO® League

Vex Robotics

Space Colony Competition

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY TWITTER

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

On this episode of The STEM Space, Claire has just returned from a field trip with her STEM students to NASA's Johnson Space Center. She shares stories of meeting an astronaut, origins of ice cream in space, and an amazing tour led by a NASA mission control engineer! While she was away, Natasha hosted the 10th annual Space Colony Competition, where teams from across the globe showcased innovative designs using recycled materials. Speaking of materials, they discuss the most unusual donations parents have contributed to a STEM classroom.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

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

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Astronaut Training and the 4 C's of STEM

Vivify STEM Lessons

Astronaut Training: 4 Cs of STEM

STEM Curriculum: Mission to Moon (K-5 and 6-8 versions) or Mission to Mars (K-5 and 6-8 versions)

Summer STEM Calendar Activity

Other STEM Resources

NASA Astronaut Ken Cameron (NASA PDF)

Goosechase

Saturn V at George W.S. Abbey Rocket Park

Vivify STEM YouTube - Career Chat: Patrick Ream (NASA)

NASA Artemis Mission

Space Colony Competition

Quick Tips

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK

Show Summary:

The STEM Space is back! Natasha and Claire have a quick chat between teaching, traveling, and finishing up a dissertation…it’s been a busy semester, but we have so much to talk about! This episode Claire shares her elaborate STEM sub plans, and Natasha discusses an AI lesson gone wrong.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

“Pontificating” Episode: 135. What Should Students Learn?

111. How AI will Transform Education ft. André Thomas

101. How ChatGPT Will Transform Education

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Sub Plans for a STEM Classroom

Lunar STEM Activities

Exploring National Parks with a STEM Challenge!

STEM Explorers: Travel the World with STEM Activities for Elementary

Best Free AI Tools for Educators

Vivify STEM Lessons

Sub Lesson Templates for a STEM Classroom

Crater Catapults and Moon Science STEM

National Park Research & Design: 5E STEM Project

STEM Explorers: England Pinhole Camera STEM Challenge

Bridge Engineering STEM Challenge

Other STEM Resources

Harvard University: Formatting Your Dissertation - Length

Vivify on TikTok: "Pontificate"! Look it up! 😂

Tinkercad

STEM CON & Beyond

Microsoft Copilot in Bing

Code.org: AI for Oceans

How to make a Leonardo da Vinci bridge

The STEM Space Facebook Group

Bring Space Club to your school!

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:

On today’s episode of The STEM Space, Natasha chats with Luke Zollinger, the author of The Insider’s Guide to Engineering. Luke is a licensed professional engineer in mechanical and civil engineering. He is currently the chief engineer for a research and development company, which involves ballistic and blast testing, extreme forces, and other unconventional things. While working as an engineer, he decided to write this book because it is something he wished he had as a student. Listen in as we discuss Luke’s journey in engineering, how to best engage students in STEM, and insights about the engineering field that will be valuable for teachers and parents preparing engineers of the future.

Links from the Show:

Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes

98. Who is an Engineer?

127. Why You Should Teach About STEM Careers

120. Prioritizing Prototypes & Assessing STEM

Is Teaching Engineering Bad? Part 1, Part 2

Vivify STEM Blog Posts

Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning

Vivify STEM Lessons

Bridge Engineering STEM Challenge

Roller Coaster STEM Activity

STEM Sailboat Challenge

STEM Creativity Tools: 5 Activities to Boost Brainstorming Power

Other STEM Resources

DOD Acquisition Life Cycle

Order Luke’s book, The Insider’s Guide to Engineering

Make Magazine

Subscribe to the Vivify STEM Newsletter!

THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES

THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP

VIVIFY INSTAGRAM

VIVIFY FACEBOOK

VIVIFY X

VIVIFY TIKTOK