Stem Everyday

At what age should we begin focusing on STEM learning? According to Jeremy Anderson, the data overwhelmingly shows that students are already forming interest and thoughts on STEM careers when they're in elementary school. That makes it vital to look at how we include STEM career introduction at a younger age. In discussions about STEM, math often takes a backseat as focus shifts to science and technology. However, a strong math foundation is essential for students to succeed in these field, and effective math instruction starts with high-quality professional development for teachers. Jeremy Anderson is the CEO of the National Math + Science Initiative (NMSI), a team of dedicated professionals and teacher coaches who share a common vision: to close opportunity gaps and increase college access for all students through rigorous STEM programs. With over 25 years of experience in K-12 education policy, and plenty of educators in his family, Jeremy sees firsthand the need for improved Math and Science instruct

The education software space is filled with plenty of choices for helping kids design and create. That's especially true in the CAD space, as programs like Tinkercad appeal to younger kids and Fusion/AutoCAD/OnShape & more are great for older students. SelfCAD is a new software choice that combines the best of block/shape design from Tinkercad and the higher level design of traditional CAD software. SelfCAD doesn’t require months of training, nor is it limited to professional engineers and mathematicians. SelfCAD was designed with the goal of simplifying the user interface and the overall 3D design and printing process that is intuitive, easy to use and easy to learn, especially for beginners. SelfCAD believes that 3D CAD software, in addition to being intuitive and easy to use, should still include advanced tools for modeling, sculpting, and preparation for 3D printing, to ensure that the design process is as real-world and authentic as possible and presents no barriers to creativity.SelfCAD is a pr

For more than 40 years, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) has supported the brightest minds in STEM, with its Astronaut Scholars making groundbreaking contributions—from launching payloads into space to pioneering agricultural innovations and advancing congenital heart disease research. The prestigious Astronaut Scholarship is known nationwide for being among the largest merit-based monetary scholarships awarded to college level STEM juniors and seniors. ASF has a life-long relationship with each Astronaut Scholar and provides them with mentors, professional and personal development and opportunities to network with astronauts, C-suite level executives and industry leaders to help advance their careers.Established in 1984 by six of the surviving Mercury 7 Astronauts along with Betty Grissom, William Douglas and Henri Landwirth, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has awarded over $10 million in scholarships to more than 850 students. What makes this scholarship truly special is its mentorship compon

When so many coding resources are just digital, it's great to see new resources that combine hands-on learning with on-screen coding.Codie Blocks is a learning tool that brings the foundations of coding to children ages 3 to 7. Through a unique storytelling component with hands-on, block-based coding, Codie Blocks makes complex concepts approachable, fun, and developmentally appropriate.Featuring the Mia & Codie series as seen on PBS member stations, Codie Blocks introduces characters and scenarios that help children build their skills as they think through situations in their everyday lives. The new Codie Blocks Block Dock brings coding to life for young learners through hands-on, screen-enhanced play. Designed for classrooms and homes, the Block Dock integrates seamlessly with the Codie Blocks App, pairing with lesson plans, activities, and interactive storytelling for a complete coding experience. Caroline Rosenbloom is a Curriculum/Brand Ambassador at Codie Blocks, as well as a successful Princip

When can we begin teaching kids about coding and computer science? If you were to walk into Allen Tsui's classrooms, you'd see kids as young as 3 understanding and working with code. How can you start? Allen has some great ideas, and it just takes trying!Allen Tsui is a Subject Specialist in Computing at Willow Brook Primary School Academy in London, UK. He has been the subject leader for Computing since September 2020 and specializes in teaching Computing to children as young as aged 3 (Nursery and Early Years) to 11 year olds (Year 6). Since September 2023, Allen has been on the path of the MA in STEM Education at King's College London, where he has been tasked with supporting a small group of GCSE as well as A-Level Computer Science students prepare for their examinations.Links mentioned in the episode:Intelino coding train sets intelino.comCoding resources Scratch and Code.orgRobotical Marty robots robotical.ioConnect with Allen:Twitter/X: @tsuiallenLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allen-tsui-19b6

Schools have two choices: innovate or fall behind.Steven Iglesias, the Director of Innovation & Technology, and self proclaimed educational disruptor, has been building a revolutionary STEM and technology program for kids at Doral Academy Preparatory School in Miami, FL."I never set out to be in education—it happened by accident. I began my career as a baseball coach and a security guard. Next, I transitioned into teaching and later became an administrator. But technology? That was different. My eyes were opened to the power of exponential technologies, and I realized I had a passion for helping students and educators navigate a rapidly evolving world."Since then, I’ve built robotics and engineering, computer science, social media, biomedical engineering, video game and esports design, cybersecurity, and AI programs—not just to keep up with the future, but to help students create it. I’ve designed innovation centers and hands-on learning spaces, ensuring that schools don’t just teach about techn

CYBER.ORG is a cybersecurity workforce development organization advancing K-12 cybersecurity education nationwide through no-cost curriculum and teacher professional development resources. Supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency through the Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program (CETAP) grant. CYBER.ORG provides educators and caregivers with resources and training to teach cybersecurity education to K-12 students nationwide. Today, over 30,000 teachers across all 50 states and four U.S. territories are enrolled in the CYBER.ORG’s content platform. Dr. Laurie Salvail serves as the Executive Director of CYBER.ORG, the Academic Division of the Cyber Innovation Center. Laurie leads the CYBER.ORG team as they seek to bring cyber education to K-12 teachers. She has over 12 years of classroom experience and has a PhD in curriculum and instruction from Louisiana State University. On this episode, Laurie shares how schools and educators

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, and there is a growing interconnection of robotics in CTE curriculums (and vice versa) happening in education. With a teaching background and a journey spanning two decades, Jason McKenna is the Vice President of Global Educational Strategy for VEX Robotics, a published author, and an experienced educator. His book, "What STEM Can Do for Your Classroom," has become an important resource for educators navigating the world of STEM.In his role at VEX Robotics, Jason oversees curriculum development and classroom integration for a wide range of platformsJason's current role keeps him in constant dialogue with global stakeholders in education – from parents to educators, and policymakers. This enables him to understand and address the challenges of preparing students for a knowledge-based 21st-century economy.Learn more from Jason on Ep 241Connect with Jason:Vex website: vexrobotics.comJason's website: jmckenna.orgTwitter/X: @Mckenna72Book:

Matt (AKA Mister Marx) is the creator of the Mister Marx Math Adventures series on YouTube and the founder of dodat.ai, a social media platform aimed at fostering community among educators, parents, and learners of all ages.As an educator, Mister Marx enjoys the challenge that comes with breaking down complex topics for learners. His videos on YouTube, using eGlass technology, make learning accessible and understandable for anyone looking to understand math from a real person. And recently, Mister Marx was selected as a contestant in Daymond John of Shark Tank's 'Entrepreneur of Impact' competition. Learn more about it at entrepreneurofimpact.org/2025/matthew-marxConnect with Mister Marx:Website: mistermarx.comYouTube: youtube.com/@mistermarxLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mister-marxChris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:Website: dailystem.comTwitter/X: @dailystemInstagram: @dailystemYouTube: @dailystemGet Chris's book Daily STEM on AmazonSupport the show

Jason Erdreich is an educational leader, patented inventor, author, and all around tinkerer and maker of things. With professional teaching experience in K-12, University, and adult learning environments, Mr.E has guided thousands of students of all ages in learning how to solve problems while using technology as a tool to facilitate creation, innovation, and success. Jason's courses have ranged from technical drawing, product design, CAD, biotechnology, manufacturing, materials processing, electronics, robotics, computer science, multimedia, video production, graphic design, and more. Jason works with schools, universities, companies, and individuals to develop exciting learning environments that are engaging and accessible for students everywhere. As an educational consultant, Jason specializes in training teachers on crucial topics like design thinking, problem-based learning, and empathy in education, in addition to specialized training on machinery or with various software solutions. And be sure to

Eric Robinson is a physics teacher at Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale, CA. His dive into Modeling Instruction explains concisely how instruction (especially science) can be improved. From modelinginstruction.org, "Modeling Instruction is a guided-inquiry approach to teaching science that organizes instruction around the handful of conceptual models that form the content core of the scientific disciplines. This method provides a framework for science instruction that approximates how scientists 'do science.'" Eric is also a member of the 1st class of Vernier Trendsetters Community. The group offers educators a forum to enhance their teaching skills, specifically through the use of Vernier data-collection technology, and to engage in meaningful collaboration with like-minded leading STEM educators. These Vernier Trendsetter Community members have the opportunity to provide and participate in professional development, collaborate on content with Vernier, provide feedback on programming

Alex Grab is the Director of Offsite Programming at the Space Foundation, and shares about the Space Sustainability Competition for 7th-8th grade students based in the United States.Why does space junk matter? Space debris includes defunct satellites, rocket parts, and fragments that orbit Earth at high speeds. These objects pose serious risks to active satellites, space missions, and even essential services on Earth like GPS, communications, and weather forecasting. Your students can be part of the solution, helping to protect the future of space exploration and everyday life.Middle school students in grades 7-8 are encouraged to register. Students will create an Engineering Solution (Design a model using Tinkercad, SketchUp, or other design software to capture or manage space debris), a Business Plan (Develop a marketing strategy to make the solution market-ready), and a Video Pitch (Share your solution in a 3-minute video pitch evaluated by industry experts). Key Dates: • Competition Launch: December 1, 20

Kids love learning about space. NASA just launched its fourth Power to Explore Student Challenge, an exciting (and totally free to enter) science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM) writing challenge for K-12th grade students in the United States. This interactive challenge invites students to learn about radioisotope power systems, a type of nuclear battery that has, for over 60 years, allowed NASA to explore the harshest, darkest, and dustiest parts of our solar system and enabled spacecraft to study its many moons. Then, armed with new knowledge and inspiration, write a short essay about how they’d use RPS to explore one of our solar system’s hundreds of moons.  Submissions, limited to 275 words, are due by January 31, 2025. One grand prize winner from each grade category (K-4, 5-8, 9-12) will receive a trip to NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, to learn about the people and technologies that power NASA missions. Thank you to Kristin Jansen (Public Affairs Specialist and Sta

Carlos Romero believes that mentors hold the key for STEM education. His own story involved growing into success based on a foundation of the importance of education by his parents and the legacy of high achievement by his siblings. Carlos was inspired by teachers to take challenging steps that led him to a distinguished career in industry. Carlos Romero is the Manager of Global Technology at Walgreens Boots Alliance. Carlos serves as a board member of the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI nms.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to equipping underserved schools and communities with vital STEM resources, and as an industry mentor at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering.Carlos knows firsthand the impact that STEM leaders can make on young students as mentors and role models. He sees industry skills like problem solving, project management, and communication as vital skills for educators to be adding to their STEM learning.Connect with Carlos:The National Math

Omar Cortez is a Robotics and Technology Teacher for elementary and middle school students in Dallas, TX. Using his expertise in robotics, coding, and drone technology, Omar has been successful in mentoring competitive robotics teams to state and global achievements, while driving engagement through district-wide STEM programs. His passion for inspiring creativity and innovation in students is preparing his students for future academic and career success in STEM fields.Omar recently released his first book Meshed Gears. Based on the true story of robotics kids in his school, Esteban and the Owlbots go on an inspiring journey of friendship, teamwork, and triumph in the world of robotics. Overcoming challenges, they learn valuable lessons that extend beyond the competition arena. Meshed Gears is a heartwarming tale for young readers celebrating resilience, collaboration, and the joy of learning.Grab a copy of Omar's book Meshed Gears on Amazon Connect with Omar:Twitter/X: @MrCortezRoboticInstagram: @mrcort

“The state of the industrial workforce is in crisis, and employers are desperate to find qualified workers with the technical skills needed to grow their operations,” said Jerry Wooden, CEO of eDynamic Learning, the parent company of Learning Blade. “By introducing students to in-demand STEM careers, state leaders and district administrators are helping to introduce young talent to critical industries and are paving the way for the workforce of tomorrow.”The U.S. manufacturing sector faces a massive skills shortage. Over the next decade, 4 million manufacturing jobs will likely need to be filled. America’s submarine industry alone will need to hire over 100,000 skilled employees over the next 10 years to meet the Navy’s growing demand for new submarines. Learning Blade, powered by eDynamic Learning, is a digital platform that inspires students to explore and consider career pathways in STEM, Computer Science, and CTE. The platform offers over 400 lessons aligned with state standards, helping educators integra

Kath Geramita is currently the co-Founder and COO of CreositySpace. She has also been an engineer, chemist, and entrepreneur with a passion for making science and technology useful and accessible to everyone. Kath got her start in a number of technology start-ups developing products ranging from electronic ink and cement made from CO2, to materials improving the storage capacity of batteries and fuel cells. Throughout it, she was always searching for ways to engage young children and their parents in the excitement of science, in hopes of developing more scientifically-engaged citizens. In 2015, Kath joined forces with Peg Zokowski and started CreositySpace with the vision to change the way kids think about science and technology. CreositySpace is a unique inquiry-based, learner-directed science curriculum that connects ALL K-5 students to science and capitalizes on their creativity and curiosity at a time when they ask, “What do I want to do when I grow up?" Their curriculum introduces students to the s

Cameron Ross is a Digital Learning Coach and teacher in Melbourne, Australia. His role includes helping teachers build ICT (Information, Communication, Technology) skills and make sure that they're not just using "tech for tech's sake." His classroom duties allow him to model lifelong learning for students while teaching them important computing skills. Connect with Cameron:Twitter/X @cameronross3Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:Website: dailystem.comTwitter/X: @dailystemInstagram: @dailystemYouTube: @dailystemGet Chris's book Daily STEM on AmazonSupport the show

2024 begins the 15th annual  Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, which empowers public school students in grades 6–12 to leverage STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to develop innovative solutions that address pressing local issues in their communities. Each year, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow awards more than $2 million in Samsung technology and classroom supplies to participating schools throughout the U.S. The competition format incorporates video-based storytelling, building support for a concept, and live pitch presentations emulating the real-life environment STEM students face in higher education and the STEM workspace.The Application ProcessU.S. public middle and high school educators are encouraged to submit applications now through Thursday, October 24, 2024. The entry application asks teachers to answer just three questions, sharing an initial idea outlining how students would use STEM to address a critical need in their local community. And educators don’t have to be a STEM

Kari Byron & Jenny Buccos are here to share all about the 2nd Annual National STEM Festival. EXPLR’s National STEM Festival inspires kids nationwide to engage with STEM, a mission more crucial than ever as we advance towards a technology-driven future and workforce. Submissions for the 2025 National STEM Festival are open to young innovators across all 50 states and all U.S. territories until October 20, 2024. Top-scoring students, along with a caregiver, will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, DC for the National STEM Festival, where they will share their project, network with top business and government leaders, and learn skills that will equip them for meaningful careers in the future. Also, check out the Live & On-Demand conversations with people in super STEM careers on the National STEM Challenge websiteEXPLR’s commitment to education includes work on a bill to establish National STEM Week, which will enhance STEM pathways for students across the country. The National STEM Week bill was