How can kids have access to STEM opportunities no matter where they live? The Oklahoma Connections Academy was able to purchase a bus and are in the process of turning it into a mobile STEM lab! "It's a world of difference because we're taking what (the kids) are already exposed to, what they already have, and we're just elevating it to the next level. We want to make sure that they have just a full, comprehensive, educational experience. And we want them to enjoy what they're doing,” said High School Science teacher Kristen Whitmer.

Jennifer Dewar is the high school assistant principal at Oklahoma Connections Academy, a virtual school serving students all over the state. She began her teaching career in 1994 and joined Oklahoma Connections Academy in 2017. She has always loved working with students since her days teaching in a preschool while she attended college. Teaching in elementary and middle schools in several states since then has afforded me the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of students and families.

The academy was given a $212,374 grant from the HDR Foundation to build their mobile STEM lab. HDR "specializes in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that."
The HDR Foundation has donated over $9 million in grants since 2012.

Connect with Jennifer & the Academy:

• Website: connectionsacademy.com/oklahoma-virtual-school/
• News story about the mobile lab
• Facebook: @OklahomaConnectionsAcademy
• The HDR Foundation: hdrinc.com/about-us/hdr-foundation

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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There are 3.5 million STEM jobs that need to be filled by 2025 in the United States.* Studies show that if children aren't exposed to math and science at an age of seven, they'll lose interest. SpaceKids Global is on a mission to ensure every child is ready to enter the space age.

Sharon Hagle, entrepreneur and astronaut, founded SpaceKids Global™ in 2015 with the mission to inspire STEAM+ Environment Education, with the goal of bringing the possibility of space to children. Sharon shares her journey to space and introduces students through speaking engagements at schools, nonprofit youth organizations, science centers, universities and space organizations. To date, Sharon has reached over 700,000 students globally.

The SpaceKids Press Squad (SKPS) is a national competition hosted by SpaceKids
Global. Eight U.S. students age 8-12, plus one parent or legal guardian for each, will be selected for an exclusive opportunity to witness a launch from Blue Origin’s Mission Control at Kennedy Space Center. Students selected will form the Press Squad and transform into space reporters with the unique access to interview astronauts and various Blue Origin astronauts and staff. Learn more: www.spacekids.global/press-squad

Connect with SpaceKids Global:

• Website: www.spacekids.global
• Information about the Press Squad: www.spacekids.global/press-squad
• Twitter/X: @spacekidsglobal
• YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCBbnk-mxgfULHMYkuVhCmKQ
• Facebook: @thespacekidsglobal
• Instagram: @spacekidsglobal

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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The leaders behind Science of Sport use the familiarity of athletics to make STEM education more approachable and inclusive to all learners. The nonprofit organization partners with professional sports teams to provide exciting hands-on, minds-on learning experiences for elementary and middle school students across the county, creates interdisciplinary programming that translates the concepts of sports into an understanding of the underlying science and mathematics, and hosts training events for teachers to help bring more diverse lesson plans and STEM learning into classrooms.

To date, Science of Sport has created over 100 lesson plans, handed out 20,000 STEM kits, and trained over 6,000 teachers, which has impacted more than 600,000 students.

Science of Sport Executive Director Daren Heaton oversees all operations and programming and has worked with over 35 professional sports teams to deliver impactful education programs (MLB, NBA, MLS, NFL, and College Conferences). Heaton previously worked for the Arizona Diamondbacks as the Manager of Education Initiatives, where he managed all education programs in the community through the Sales Department, and helped start the D-backs Science of Baseball program. His additional affiliations to professional sports teams include the Los Angeles Galaxy from 2009 to 2011 where he was a Group Sales Account Executive

Connect with The Science of Sport and Daren:

• Website: sciencesport.org
• Find the lesson plans: sciencesport.org/lessons
• Email Daren: daren@sciencesport.org
• Twitter/X: @ScienceofSport_
• YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UC-knCxjr7xKJohaSW-U2LQQ
• Facebook: @scienceofsportofficial
• Instagram: @scienceofsport__

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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As The Franklin Institute’s Senior Vice President of Science and Education, Dr. Darryl N. Williams oversees all aspects of the science and educational programming at the heart of the Institute’s efforts to inspire a passion for learning about science and technology.

Dr. Williams earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Hampton University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. After earning his doctorate, he served as a NIH Postdoctoral Fellow in pediatric cardiology research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He also served as a Dean at Tufts University's School of Engineering, Dr. Williams joined the Institute from Tufts University’s School of Engineering as well as four years with the National Science Foundation, managing a range of federal programs and research focused on STEM teaching and learning, formal and informal learning environments, and workforce development.

With more than a decade of experience in everything from clinical research to workforce development, Dr. Williams brings not only a wealth of knowledge on science and technology learning to The Franklin Institute, but also a vibrantly interdisciplinary perspective.

Two important Franklin Institute programs discussed are the PACTS (Partnership for Achieving Careers in Tech & Science) program, which is a middle school program that partners with STEM professionals for middle school students to understand the processes of science, and STEM Scholars, which helps high school students with college and career prep, ACT tutoring, college essays, scholarships, paid internships, and more.

Connect with The Franklin Institute and Darryl:

• Website: fi.edu
• Check out the Franklin Institute Award winners
• Twitter/X: @thefranklin
• Instagram: @franklininstitute
• Darryl's Twitter/X: @dnwilli

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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Adam Todd is an elementary Media Arts teacher in New York City Public Schools. He turned his experiences in the media industry into practical opportunities for his students to create the daily "Bee TV" news at his school. His students have even appeared on local news in NYC! Check out some of their work & appearances on their YouTube Channel.

Adam also started the Classroom Dynamics podcast to help educators "dive into powerful professional development insights designed to cultivate a vibrant 21st-century classroom environment." In April of 2024, the podcast focuses on STEM & STEAM experts sharing ideas and experiences.
Learn more by following the links below or subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Connect with Adam:

• Website: classroomdynamics.wixsite.com/podcast
• Twitter/X: @classdynamics

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

Support the Show.

Endress+Hauser is a global company focused on measurement and automation technology for process and laboratory applications, helping to shape the industry’s digital transformation.

Nicole Otte is the Director of Workforce Development at Endress+Hauser, and previously spent 11 years as a HS Engineering & Technology teacher, including using Project Lead the Way curriculum. She also served as Director of Central Nine Career Center in Greenwood, Indiana.

Endress+Hauser USA has made a commitment to students and community members through its workforce development and philanthropy initiatives. In 2023, Endress+Hauser USA hosted 15 visits for more than 800 K-12 visitors from seven public and private school corporations at its Design & Innovation Studio in Greenwood, Indiana, delivering learning opportunities and resources to students and educators. The Design & Innovation Studio is equipped with Industry 4.0 technology. In partnership with the Purdue Indiana Next Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC), the Endress+Hauser USA Design & Innovation Studio also offers 3-D printing, robotics, Sphero BOLTS, littleBits, micro:bits, engineering and science modules and coding. In addition, Endress+Hauser USA’s annual Community Career+Education Forum (CCEF) hosted more than 300 students in Greenwood and more than 250 students in Pearland, Texas.

Connect with Nicole and Endress+Hauser:

• Website: endress.com
• Learn about the Design & Innovation Studio

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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Josh Korb strives to revolutionize the world of education. Beginning his career as a math teacher, Josh's innate drive to innovate led him to become a Director of Technology and Innovation. This role allowed him to merge his love for teaching with his profound experience in instructional technology, in hopes of transforming the educational landscape. As an accomplished author, educational consultant, and captivating speaker, Josh shares his insights on the intersection of technology and education, inspiring audiences and unboxing potential. His ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and conviction has cemented his reputation as a thought leader in his educational community.

Josh's new book Be The Cause is based on a simple statement, yet it holds the power to change lives, shape futures, and set countless stories in motion. His goal is to help educators come away inspired to not just be A teacher, but THE teacher! "If we are intentional in the little moments, they can stack up to be a massive shift in the way a child learns, feels, and ultimately grow. Be The Cause challenges you to reflect on your own experiences as both a student and an educator. Consider the teachers who made a lasting impact on your life and how they did it. Then, ask yourself how you can do the same for your students."

Connect with Josh:

• Website: joshkorb.org
• Book Website: youcanbethecause.com
• Twitter/X: @bethecausebook
• Twitter/X: @mrjkorb
• Instagram: @mrjoshkorb

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

Support the Show.

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 Tinkercad
Tinkercad Sim Lab Tutorials
Tinkercad TV
The Tinkercad 10

Connect with Mike:

• Website: hlmodtech.com
• YouTube: @HLModTech
• Twitter/X: @HLtinkercad

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

Support the Show.