STEM Everyday

What if we took all the good ideas of coding and combined them with the lessons of kindness? That's the idea that Valerie Sousa came up with for her book Coding To Kindness!Valerie Sousa has been a Kindergarten teacher in Massachusetts for 10 years. She began coding with her students three years ago and loved what she saw throughout the process. Her students were engaged, kind, worked collaboratively, and were so excited to code. One thing Valerie noticed during coding time in particular was how much kindness her students showed toward one another. They took turns, showed patience, and respectfully agreed and disagreed with one another. Quickly it became apparent coding in Kindergarten was much more than mathematical, spatial thinking, and understanding of basic programming. Kindness through coding shined each and every time. Her book is inspired by all of those shining moments.Get the book Coding to KindnessOr for bulk discounts, check out EduMatch PublishingConnect with Valerie:Website valeriesousaauthor.comTwitter @valeriesousa7Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:dailystem.comtwitterinstagramyoutubeGet Chris's book Daily STEM on AmazonSupport the show

Relevance. Empathy. Action. Lifelong learning. That's the REAL education that Anthony Chiles wants to see in his school and in all of education.Anthony Chiles is a STEAM Educator, consultant, and Student Support Coordinator in Burke County Public Schools, Georgia. When the Mutual, Visual and Physical Spaces (MVP spaces) combine with the four foundational principles of Relevance, Empathy, Action and Lifelong learning, they produce a holistic learning environment. Education must go back to the simple, integrated format for which the greatest minds came from. Learning that is experiential, real and connected to all facets of life. Beyond economics, government policy, or environmental issues, R.E.A.L. education is the foundation for 21st century learningConnect with Anthony:Website mvpspaces.comTwitter @principalsteamChris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:dailystem.comtwitterinstagramyoutubeGet Chris's book Daily STEM on AmazonSupport the show

STEM isn't just for elementary kids. In Baltimore, Building STEPS is building opportunities for kids to pursue STEM college and career opportunities. Their program launched in 1999 with the sole purpose of creating a college pathway for underrepresented students to become STEM professionals. Each year, the Building STEPS team helps approximately 200 HS students, 200 College students, and 100 alumni explore careers, participate in internships, attend college, and find success in STEM careers. In a city where 8% of kids go on to earn a college degree, Building STEPS helps 80% of the students they work with earn a college degree!Connect with Building STEPS:Website buildingsteps.orgTwitter @BuildingSTEPSConnect with Debra dhettleman@buildingsteps.orgConnect with Sheyna sheyna.mikeal@buildingsteps.orgChris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:dailystem.comtwitterinstagramyoutubeSupport the show

If you've ever thought that biology (or any science) seemed hard to learn, or hard to teach, Melanie Peffer has the solution: "Where have you experienced biology today?"That's the question to ask any kid (or any adult) to help them think about the interconnectedness of biology (or any STEM subject) to the world around us.Melanie is a university educator & researcher in Colorado, and the author of the new book Biology Everywhere: How the Science of Life Matters to Life. It's less textbook and more of a practical way to help break down barriers to science learning for non-science audiences.Connect with Melanie:Book Website biologyeverywhere.comMore info about Melanie melaniepeffer.comTwitter @Melanie_PefferChris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:dailystem.comtwitterinstagramyoutubeSupport the show

Robotics used to mean an intro to STEM subjects and head to college, but robotics is part of every career today. Kids are excited to build, program, and drive robots. Robotics can even help kids build friendships!"I don't just want the next generation of STEM leaders & thought leaders, I want kids to learn to accept and understand. Robotics is a universal language for technology, acceptance, and making friends."Dan Mantz is working with the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation to help kids engage with robotics at every age group and all types of machines. Their goal is to inspire students, one robot at a time.Connect with Dan & the REC:RoboticsEducation.org (don't forget to click on your state or region to get specific info)RobotEvents.comTwitter @REC_Foundationvexrobotics.comvexrobotics.com/vexcode for virtual Vex codingChris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:dailystem.comtwitterinstagramyoutubeSupport the show

What if there was a podcast with real scientists sharing how they solved big problems?And what if that podcast was designed for kids?Jen Swanson and Jed Doherty designed the Solve it For Kids podcast with that exact goal! Each episode features a great scientist sharing their stories and ideas in easily accessible terms, all in a fun format.Jen is also a prolific children's book author and also speaks at conferences, schools, libraries, & more!Connect with Jennifer:Website solveitforkids.comMore about Jen Swanson jenniferswansonbooks.comSTEAM Team Books website steamteambooks.comListen to Jen on Episode #170 of the STEM Everyday PodcastChris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:dailystem.comtwitterinstagramyoutubeSupport the show

What if you took the skills of design thinking and problem solving and applied them to books for kids?Vicky Fang is a children’s book author with a background as a product designer (she worked at Google & Intel). She helped create things like cars that talk to each other, robots you can build at home, and games you can play with your voice. She started writing to support the growing need for early coding education, particularly for girls and kids of color. Her debut books, LAYLA & THE BOTS (Scholastic early chapter book series) and INVENT-A-PET (Sterling picture book), are launched in Spring 2020 and feature courageous and innovative girls in STEAM.Connect with Vicky:Website vickyfang.comSTEAM Team Books website steamteambooks.comTwitter @fangmousInstagram @fangmousbooksChris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:dailystem.comtwitterinstagramyoutubeSupport the show

What if kids, especially girls, really believed they could grow up and be anything? Laurie Wallmark was one of those kids, and so are the women she's written about.Laurie is a full-time, award winning children's book author, and she "loves it." Some previous jobs she's held are software engineer, owner of a mail order company (she had a bookstore on the Web before Amazon did!), and computer science professor. Her #WomenInSTEM picture book biographies are: NUMBERS IN MOTION: SOPHIE KOWALEVSKI, QUEEN OF MATHEMATICIAN HEDY LAMARR'S DOUBLE LIFE GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE ADA BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE Connect with Laurie:Website lauriewallmark.comSTEAM Team Books website steamteambooks.comTwitter @lauriewallmarkFacebook facebook.com/lauriewallmarkauthorChris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:dailystem.comtwitterinstagramyoutubeSupport the show

“Find a problem in your school that can get solved, then work backwards to find some science  to learn from it. That makes good STEM curriculum.”Spencer Sharp has been making great STEM in the classroom for years, creating his own STEM curriculum from scratch. He also provides great resources for educators, and just launched a podcast The Innovative Teacher Podcast.Connect with Spencer:Twitter @sharpthebuilderInstagram @sharpthebuilderWebsite sharpthebuilder.comResources linktr.ee/sharpthebuilderChris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:dailystem.comtwitterinstagramyoutubeSupport the show

An effective makerspace or STEM program is all about appropriate entry level challenges that kids can do & helping kids extend that initial challenge after they are successful.Chuck Stoffle has been building a super Makerspace and STEM program in Ontario Canada for the past decade. He is STEM certified, a LEGO robotics coach, math specialist, consultant, teacher librarian, father, husband, and a "maker"Connect with Chuck:Twitter @ChuckStoffleTwitter post of Archimedes Screw Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:dailystem.comtwitterinstagramyoutubeSupport the show