STEM Everyday

Mike Harmon is a "retired" middle school technology teacher from Michigan, but his real passion is sharing with kids & educators how to build and create in digital space! His YouTube channel @HLModTech is filled with over 4500 videos to help everyone from novice to expert master the skills for design software, especially Tinkercad.Mike even recently partnered with CADclass.org (Ep 248) to create Tinkercad in Twenty Days (https://www.cadclass.org/courses/Tinkercad). If you visit the website, you can learn more about the exciting courses that are offered, including FREE previews of the courses so you can determine if they fit your learning style (use the coupon code 25hltinkercad to get 25% off).Some of the playlists Mike mentioned:Day 1 TinkercadTinkercad Sim Lab TutorialsTinkercad TVThe Tinkercad 10Connect with Mike:Website: hlmodtech.comYouTube: @HLModTechTwitter/X: @HLtinkercadChris 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

Harshal Chhaya is a distinguished Engineer looking for ways to help educators integrate STEM, coding, & robotics in practical ways. He believes that "Life is cross-curricular" and that education should reflect that.As the lead Systems Engineer and Product Manager for TI's STEM product line, Harshal has led the development of products like the TI-Innovator Hub and TI-Innovator Rover, and led the system design for adding Python programming to TI calculators. His work at Texas Instruments has allowed him to see the convergence of technology with teachers, and help educators find ways to respond to ever changing tech. Ultimately, his goal is to extend the reach of STEM technology products to coding, physical computing, and robotics for middle school and high school students.Connect with Harshal:Twitter/X: @hschhayaLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/harshal-chhaya/Blog posts: education.ti.com/en/search?page=1&size=25&q=harshal Chris 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

Career technical education and workforce development has arguably never been more important than it is now, due the rapidly changing landscape. With things like innovation and AI happening so quickly, it becomes more important for educators to prepare students for the changing work environment through early STEM integration that continues through a student’s academic career. By the time they reach high school, most students have already decided whether or not they think science and math are ‘cool’. That's why the VEX Continuum begins with Kindergarten and spans through a child's career. Starting with intuitive tool-less systems, then snapping together robots and graduating to advanced metal robots, VEX Robotics can unlock a curiosity and a passion that will stay with them for a lifetime.No one knows that more than Lauren Harter, Director of Instructional Technology for VEX Robotics! She has dedicated her professional career to developing robust educational tools for teacher support from Kinder to College. Combining her practical and academic expertise in math, technology, and education, Lauren designs and writes supplemental resources including STEM Labs, articles, and develops video support that is distributed globally. Be sure to check out the Education and Resources links on the  vexrobotics.com website.Lauren discusses some issues facing STEM education in the US today, including:the changing landscape of STEM education How STEM education is leading to workforce growth How to ensure that students are equipped with practical skills that mirror industry needsHow schools can integrate advanced technology into the classrooms without a significant financial burden Connect with Vex Robotics & Lauren:Website vexrobotics.comTwitter/X: @vexroboticsInstagram: @vexroboticsFacebook:  @vexroboticsListen to more ideas for VEX Robotics on Episodes 241 and 176Chris 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

Gareth Campbell is a Bristol based artist and former secondary school science teacher who founded The Museum of Science, the Arts & Interdisciplinary Collaboration (The MoSAIC) in 2022 to address a problem in the education system that frustrated him.  "Science is not seen as a creative subject in schools, even worse my experience as a teacher showed me that our current rigid curriculum fails to show students the beautiful, and essential, connections that exist between disciplines.  All of the greatest scientists have had to be creative to innovate. STEM industries are desperate for creative employees willing to explore outside the box. And students crave context to connect with their internal motivation to learn. Many students found it eye opening to have a science teacher that also worked as an artist, and often it made them rethink their own career paths."The MoSAIC is providing both educators and learners with unique resources, training and in-person workshops that help to bridge the gap between the arts and the sciences. They work with UK schools, learning hubs and community groups to elucidate the hidden links that elevate artistry with scientific knowledge and help people to problem solve by thinking differently. They also work with researchers and industry to showcase their latest work to a younger audience through STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths). We passionately believe that the days have gone where ‘art/science’ integration means an unplanned poster lesson. Connect with Gareth & The MoSAIC:Website themosaic.ukTwitter/X: @themosaicukInstagram: @themosaicuk/Chris 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

Chad LeDune lives in rural Indiana with his beautiful wife, Heather, their four children, and their two dogs. He loves to travel wherever his teacher’s salary will allow, spend his rare downtime with family and friends, and competing against his fellow middle-aged friends in local basketball games. Experiencing the ups and downs of life has given him an appreciation of time and all of the small, precious details of an ordinary day.  Having dedicated 21 years to educating middle and high school students, Chad is passionate about meeting today’s students' diverse needs through STEM education. His dedication to his vision and message of 'Discomfort by Design' has taken him well beyond his previously cherished comfort zone. In addition to his work as a Science, STEM, CTE teacher, and STEM coach, Chad has challenged himself with several other educational endeavors. These include writing STEM curriculum for his state of Indiana, founding and coordinating an annual STEMfest for area youth, leading teachers and teaching students at a summer migrant education school, training and accompanying STEM teachers for summer exchange in China, and branching into the online education sector as STEM coordinator for an online private academy. Dr. LeDune currently works as a STEM Coach for Southwest School Corporation and is a STEM Certification Coach for the National Institute for STEM Education. Chad also enjoys the opportunity to speak to educators on the benefits that come from his vision of design learning.  Connect with Chad:Website discomfortbydesignbook.comTwitter/X: @Dr_LeDuneFacebook: @Discomfortbook Chris 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

The 2024 National STEM Challenge is a nationwide initiative to foster creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for STEM subjects among middle and high school students. The Challenge invites students in grades 6-12 from across the U.S. and its territories to conceive and submit STEM innovations, inventions, and research. Students will create a 3 page PDF presentation about their project (tested if using the scientific method or constructed physically or digitally if using the engineering design process). The best projects from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories will become Challenge Finalists with the opportunity to advance to the next level by submitting a video in the second round. Up to 200 National Champions will win a trip to the National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C., in April 2024. There, Champions will showcase their projects to some of our nation's most influential leaders. The Festival is co-presented by the U.S. Department of Education and EXPLR.Canva also has a collection of free templates and graphics to help create your project submission.Kari Byron, former member of Mythbusters, is the Co-Director of the National STEM Challenge and Co-Founder of EXPLR.Connect with Kari & The National STEM Challenge:Website nationalstemchallenge.comTwitter/X: @national_stem Kari's Twitter/X: @KariByronInstagram: @nationalstemfestivalKari's Instagram: @therealkaribyronEXPLR Website explr.comChris 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

Matt Zigler is a teacher, artist, and maker. He is currently the Bullis Innovation and Technology Lab (BITlab) Coordinator at Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, where he works with students and teachers to bring design thinking and the Maker process into traditional content area classes, teach Maker related classes, and oversees a state of the art Makerspace and Fab Lab. Matt has presented on how to design and build a Makerspace that meets the needs of specific schools, how to create a culture of Making and innovation, and how to develop Maker programming for all levels of ability, K-12. The Maker movement has been an excellent opportunity for people to become producers rather than just consumers, and schools are recognizing the value of offering students the tools, materials, and skills necessary to design sophisticated and meaningful projects. But teaching technical skills should not be the end goal: At its best, a Maker education teaches students to think and act in creative ways that can be applied to difficult challenges in all areas of life. Matt's book Three Modes of Making (release date Dec 23/Jan 24) provides a framework for Maker courses in upper grades that teach students creative-process skills through three key Maker modes: Imitation, Modification, and Innovation.On this episode, we discuss the three Maker modes and their associated skill sets  to provide educators with ideas for helping students be creatively purposeful.Matt's class also created The Wheelchair Stroller project, and his students ended up all over the news, including NBC Washington and the CBS Evening News!Listen to more ideas from Matt on Ep 211Connect with Matt:Website mattzigler.comTwitter/X @BullisBITlabMedium medium.com/@matthewziglerChris 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

Each year Samsung hosts a national competition for public schools grades 6–12 in which students are asked to consider how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) can be used to create change in their communities. 2023 is the 14th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest, and with the help of their teachers, students compete to win up to $100,000 in prizes for their school, plus the opportunity to work with Samsung employees to develop their prototypes. Middle and high school teachers can apply for the 14th Annual 2023-2024 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition! On this episode, Ann Woo, Senior Director of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung Electronics America shares info about what's new in this year's competition, including a new national "Rising Entrepreneurship Award," valued at $25,000 for a single winning school. To learn more about the annual contest, and for official contest rules, please visit samsung.com/solvefortomorrow. Registration generally begins each September. (Listen to Ep 232 &  Ep 217 for more ideas & info from Ann and contest winning teachers and Ep 246 for a conversation with Ann about the future of STEM education)Connect with Solve for Tomorrow :Website samsung.com/solvefortomorrowEmail solvefortomorrow@sea.samsung.comTwitter/X @SamsungNewsUSInstagram @solvefortomorrowFacebook facebook.com/SamsungSolveForTomorrowChris 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

Do teachers have a front row seat to America’s decline? Jeremy Adams, a History and Social Studies teacher at both the high school and college levels, thinks so.Jeremy Adams has spent decades trying to instill wisdom, ambition, and a love of learning in his students. And yet, as he notes, when teachers get together, they often share an arresting conclusion: Something has gone terribly wrong. Something essential is missing in our young people. Their curiosity seems stunted, their reason undeveloped, their values uninformed, their knowledge lacking, and most worrying of all, their humanity diminished.Educators like Jeremy see a generation slipping away. The problems that have hollowed out our young people have been festering for years. A year of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing have magnified them. The result could be a generation—and our nation’s future—lost in a miasma of alienation and stupefaction.In his 2021 book Hollowed Out, Jeremy reveals why students have rejected wisdom, culture, and institutions of Western civilization—and what we can do to win them back. Jeremy Adams is a high school and University teacher living in Bakersfield, California. He and his writing have appeared in Newsweek, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, The Washington Times, New Discourses, C-Span, The DailyCaller, The American Mind, and numerous national education podcasts. He has won numerous accolades for his teaching and writing efforts including the 2014 California State Teacher of the Year Award (Daughters of the American Revolution) and was a 2013 semi-finalist for the California Department of Education's California Teacher of the Year Award. Jeremy is also an education speaker and has spoken to large education groups and conferences across the countryConnect with Jeremy:Twitter/X  @JeremyAdams6Find Hollowed Out on AmazonChris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:Website: dailystem.comTwitter/X: @dailystemInstagram: @dailystemYouTube: youtubeGet Chris's book Daily STEM on AmazonSupport the show

Paul Shircliff is not your typical makerspace or STEM educator. He doesn’t just know about coding or cardboard or tools or electronics…he knows about ALL of it! And when someone says something about a makerspace, he’s quick to remind that “the real makerspace is between your ears”Paul has been a nuclear engineer, a teacher, and most importantly a maker. He's currently working with the Uplands Maker Mobile Program (a part of the Indiana University Education program) helping bring Maker & STEM activities and skills to kids throughout South & Central Indiana.Connect with the Uplands Maker Mobile Program:Website blogs.iu.edu/uplandsmakermobileFacebook @UplandsMakerTwitter/X @UplandsMakerInstagram @uplandsmakerMajor funders for the Uplands Maker Mobile Program include:Regional Opportunities Initiative https://regionalopportunityinc.org/Boston Scientific (Spencer, IN location)  https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-US/Home.html Connect with Paul:Website paulshircliff.orgTwitter/X @shirky17Listen to more from Paul on Ep 183 & Ep 184Chris 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