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airline pilot in training

Jet Setting Engineer: Behind the Scenes as an Airline Pilot in Training with Miruna Camelia Iordan [ep.7]

by Naomi Meredith

Jet Setting Engineer: Behind the Scenes as an Airline Pilot in Training with Miruna Camelia Iordan [ep.7]

airline pilot in training

Check out the full episode on Jet Setting Engineer: Behind the Scenes as an Airline Pilot in Training with Miruna Camelia  Iordan

 

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Episode Summary

Welcome to another adventure on the STEM Career Quest Podcast, my Questies! I want to know: have you ever been on an airplane? It’s such a fun and exciting way to travel across the world! Did you know that the people who fly airplanes have to do lots of training and practice before they can start flying airplanes? 

Today, we are learning all about what it takes to become an airline pilot in training from our special guest Miruna Camelia Iordan. Miruna takes us behind the scenes of what it’s like to be an airline pilot in training, what led her to choose this amazing STEM career, and so much more! This episode is filled with so many fun and exciting facts about airline pilots that I know you’re going to enjoy. Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about what it’s like to be an airline pilot in training.

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

Want more ways to enhance your podcast listening experience? 

Click HERE to join our STEM Career Quest Club!

Inside, you get access to 

  • a private community of other STEM Career Quest listeners
  • comprehension guides for each episode
  • teaching slides for each episode, where it is broken up into chunks so you can listen in smaller segments
  • related STEM activities you can complete with simple materials
  • one monthly virtual STEM field trip

And more!

 

Meet Miruna Camelia Iordan:

Miruna is a flygirl and aerospace engineer. She lives and breathes aviation! She is currently a student pilot at the Technical University of Vilnius. She is also working part-time as an AMP (aircraft maintenance program) engineer at Avion Express (a commercial airline), where she keeps records of the company's aircraft technical maintenance. She is passionate about aviation and willing to use her knowledge and skills to purposefully contribute to this sector, be it as an engineer or as a pilot.

Connect with Miruna: 

See an Airline Pilot in Training in Action:

airline pilot in training

airline pilot in training

airline pilot in training

airline pilot in training

airline pilot in training

airline pilot in training

 

More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there. 

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

Connect with the Host, Naomi Meredith:

More About The STEM Career Quest Podcast

Have you ever found yourself asking this question… “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Maybe you already have an answer to that, maybe you don’t.

Both are ok!

Welcome to the “STEM Career Quest” podcast! A show made for kids like you to help you build your dreams, or even find new ones, in science, technology, engineering and math. Each week, hear captivating stories and interviews to explore the exciting world of STEM. Oh! And grown-ups and teachers, you can listen too!

We’ll talk to experts in STEM who are passionate about what they do in the real-world and how they make a positive impact in their careers. Created and hosted by K-5 STEM Coach, Naomi Meredith, this show will spark your imagination and passions.

Join us each week on our quest to explore the possibilities of careers in STEM, one episode at a time.

3d printing be used in school

How Can 3D Printing Be Used in School? [STEM Project & Behavior Management Series] [ep.151]

by Naomi Meredith

How Can 3D Printing Be Used in Schools? [STEM Project & Behavior Management  Series] [ep.151]

3d printing be used in school

Check out the full episode on How Can 3D Printing Be Used in Schools? [STEM Project & Behavior Management Series]:  

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

Have a STEM question? Leave a voice message for the podcast!

Episode Summary

Have you been wondering the best way 3D printing can be used in schools? It can be overwhelming thinking about all that goes into planning and implementing a 3D print lesson. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down how 3D printing can be implemented in your STEM classroom. I share the best systems to set up for 3D printing, how to manage behaviors, 3D printing lessons, and so much more.

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Ways 3D printing can be used in schools
  • Systems to set up for 3D printing
  • Tips and strategies for behavior management
  • 3D printing lesson ideas

Resources Mentioned:

Episode Transcript: 

Naomi Meredith [00:00:00]:

You got a new set of 3D printers, but you're not quite sure how to get started. Who is managing all of these 3D prints? What should students make? How many kids should work on a project? We are going to be answering all of those questions and more in today's episode. If you are listening to this episode about 3D printers and you are about to turn it off because you do not have 3D printers, don't shut off this episode. You can still do 3D print projects without a 3D printer.


Naomi Meredith [00:01:08]:

I am going to explain that, but bear with me. It this episode is still for you whether or not you still have a printer. All of the creating of 3D prints is still exactly the same whether or not you have 3D printers, and that's gonna make sense in a little bit. When I first got my 3D printers when I was a k through 5 STEM teacher, they were delivered literally a week before the COVID shutdown. I was so excited opening up these 3D printers. I had an older one in my classroom that didn't work. It wouldn't even read current 3D print files, and you would try to put the files on a flash drive. They couldn't even convert to the right file format.


Naomi Meredith [00:01:55]:

The printer was loud. The extruder, the part that the plastic comes out of wouldn't even work. And it was older, and it was good at its time, but it didn't work for me anymore. So, I got those 3D printers delivered. They're the MakerBot Sketch Classroom, and I'm not sponsored by MakerBot, but I really love these 3D printers for an elementary space because they was literally take them out of the box and you are ready to go. So I got these 3D printers delivered right before the COVID shutdown and didn't know that was going to be the thing. And so when we were told to go home and we weren't going to come back, I actually brought the 3D printers home with me. And, no, I didn't keep them.


Naomi Meredith [00:02:42]:

I brought them back, but I had purchased these 3D printers and didn't have any experience with 3D printing. And I thought, well, this might be a great time to learn. Students can still create a project. I can print it and deliver it, which is something that I did end up doing. And then I also was working with a few of the parents in my school community who were in health care, and we were 3D printing some ear savers. So they're pretty cool. It was a print file that was sent to me that where you put it on the back of your head and then your mask, loops would loop over the back, and then, it would really help for people who are wearing a mask all day. So I learned really quickly how to use these 3D printers and how to use the software during this time because, well, we had time, and I actually created a bunch of video tutorials for the platform that I like to use for students called Tinkercad.


Naomi Meredith [00:03:40]:

And those tutorials are still available up on my YouTube channel. They are still relevant and really helpful, and I'm also gonna explain how I actually use those when I teach 3D print lessons. From there, I have printed thousands of prints and have learned the tips and tricks of when it comes to teaching these lessons with students and making sure that the prints are successful. And this is from nobody training me by myself. And I'm all about being efficient and doing things that would work best. So, I'm gonna talk about in this episode the systems you wanna set up for your 3D printing, some behavior management tricks, and some ideas for some lessons. When it comes to the systems for your 3D printing, you wanna get started on your 3D print lessons pretty early on, most likely in the second semester. And the reason for that is, by now, the students are used to your classroom and your teaching style and all of that, and, also, it's gonna take you a long time to print.


Naomi Meredith [00:04:46]:

The biggest thing and the biggest headache, I would say, which it's not that bad, if you don't have if you don't have assistance, horrible. But the biggest thing is managing all the prints and staying on top of it. And I learned that very quickly because I wanted everybody to 3D print. I don't think it should be until the older grades where students are 3D printing. I think they should be designing and developing those skills as soon as kindergarten. And so what I did is while I pad the 3D printers at school, so when we actually did this in class, I realized there were a bunch of common questions that students would ask me. They would ask me, what is printing right now? Whose class are you printing? How long is this going to take? When are you gonna print my class? So I came up with some posters in a system and process that will not only help answer the students' questions when they're looking at the 3D printers, but also help me stay on track of whose projects were done and all of that. And so I actually have these all for free for you.


Naomi Meredith [00:05:53]:

You can print them out. There are pictures to show you how I use them in my classroom, and I kept my printers out in a space where students could look at the project's printing because it's really important too to nourish that curiosity and have kids get excited about what 3D printing is and how this is another type of printer that we can have to create things in a 3D world. What's really cool too, if you're intimidated about 3D printing, it's really not as hard as you think. And I had it in my head, this misconception, that 3D printing is overly complicated. And all it really is and I took a class in with a bunch of kids about 3D printing, because I wanted to hear other adults teach kids about it. But they said it's just like a hot glue gun extruding that plastic, and it's just going in layers and layers and layers, like icing a cake. And so what it's doing is when you create that file, when you create that 3D image on the computer, the program will slice it. You might have heard of that.


Naomi Meredith [00:06:59]:

It's gonna cut it up into layers. So when the printer reads that file, it's reading those layers and going in that pattern. That's all it's doing. It's not that complicated. And if you ever play around with a 3D pen, it's literally a hot glue gun, but it's a pen. And you wanna stack the layers on top of each other to make it a 3D shape. So when you create that 3D print station, put it in an area that kids can see so they can understand what is happening. Maybe they get to see their print in action, but I would write down the class names of who it is.


Naomi Meredith [00:07:35]:

I would say, who's this printing, what project they are working on. And so that would really help answer those questions. Of course, I would answer them too, but they learn soon enough that I had all that information right there for them. Also, create a space where you can put the finished 3D prints because you're just going to be staying on track of these for a long time. This was actually part of my morning routine for half of the year. Once I got settled in the day, I would line up all my prints for the day. And then throughout class, I would keep track of if it got finished, or the students would tell me it was finished because that is the hardest part about 3D printing is as a teacher staying on top of it, making sure things are printed, making sure whose print is who, and keeping it organized in your class. Once you have that little 3D print station set up, you wanna think about how do you want to save their prints.


Naomi Meredith [00:08:31]:

How are you going to collect their finished projects? The platform that I like to use with 2nd grade through 6th grade is called Tinkercad. It is a free software to use, completely free, and they have improved it over the years where there actually is a teacher component where you can set up a class a lot like Google Classroom and have all of your students print in one place. If you do have Google accounts and set it up that way, it's really cool because as students are designing with you over the years, they get to see all of the projects that they have created. You don't have to have Google accounts to get started, but it's a great asset if you do, and it's really easy to see all of their projects. So, thinking about how you want to collect those prints, I have my students name the file in a specific way. I have them name their files, so there's a way you can rename it just like a Google Doc or something like that, where I have students name the file with their first name, last initial, and then a dash or a slash and their teacher's name. Because when you are keeping track of all of these prints, they're all gonna kinda start looking the same over time. And so that's going to keep things really organized when you start downloading these print files that you know whose it is.


Naomi Meredith [00:09:56]:

My 3D printers actually would say on the screen the file name, so that was really nice as well. And then in the software that would take the files, so you download them off Tinkercad, you put it in the software that talks to your 3D printer so you don't print it directly from Tinkercad, so don't be worried. Oh, they create it. They're gonna send it to the printer. It doesn't work like that. Once I had it in the software that talks to my printers, I could even see the names of who printed. So if I forgot, oh, whose print is this, I could go back into that platform and double check. And then if I needed to reprint something, I knew whose it was.


Naomi Meredith [00:10:36]:

In terms of organizing the finished prints, I had little boxes on top of my 3D printers and had ziplock bags where I would just write the names of the student, had the bag on top of the printer, and when it was finished, I'd put it in the bag, and then I had a big bag for each classroom. So like I said, it's a lot of management for a teacher. My free 3D printing station setup is gonna help you a ton. For my younger students, I like to use it's free on the computer and a paid app on a tablet, but Doodle 3D Transform, where students actually draw their 3D print design. And the cool thing about this app is that when students are drawing on one side in 2D, simultaneously in real time, they see their design in 3D. So it's helping them understand, oh, this image I'm making on the computer is flat, but when it gets printed, it's going to have all of these elements. So it's a really good way to help students understand what is happening. I would typically use this with younger students, kindergarten and 1st grade, or even students who are older who need more support, this is a great option as well.


Naomi Meredith [00:11:49]:

The designing doesn't take as long. You don't need to create accounts. And so what I would do is when I'm introducing this platform, I would show the students how the platform works. We would make something for fun, try out all the buttons, and see how it goes. And then when we got to the designing, whether it was whole group, we did the designing for our project, or if I pulled small groups for this, then I would save their print file, the same system, first name, last initial, teacher name, and then I would airdrop it from the Ipads to my computer, or you could do something similar like email it to yourself just to get it off of that device. If you are a teacher who doesn't even have 3D printers, you don't even need to set up the 3D print station or set up those systems and processes, but you can actually still do all of the lessons. You would do everything exactly the same, and you would teach it as if you did have 3D printers. Maybe their print won't get designed.


Naomi Meredith [00:12:52]:

Maybe they have access to a 3D printer or the public library, or maybe you know you're gonna get a 3D printer later on, or maybe your district has one to borrow. I had that situation before before I got my new ones. And so you can still teach these lessons exactly the same. You don't have to have 3D printers to teach a 3D print lesson. And so if you feel like you're missing out, oh, we just can't do this, you still can. Everything's gonna stay the same. They just aren't gonna see what it looks like printed out. That's it.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:26]:

And that's all on you and the teacher anyway. I know some teachers maybe in middle school might have students manage this process, But to be honest, I was in my classroom all day, and the students would rotate every week. It was just easier if I did it and stayed on top of it. In terms of behavior management with your 3D printing, it might not get as crazy as a Makerspace lesson might be. I usually have students work by themselves or in a group of 2. I don't do bigger than that. And if they are in a group of 2, I have them collaborate on the same computer. I do know in Tinkercad, you can actually share a file and collaborate on the same file at the same time like a Google Doc, but I prefer that they actually are looking on the same screen so that they are interacting and talking about their project if they choose to work together.


Naomi Meredith [00:14:15]:

For 3D printing, I actually didn't mind students creating on their own. Yes, I know that means that there's a lot more prints to print, but I wanted all of my students to have the experience of designing. It's a little bit with Makerspace because you can pass the objects around, someone might be gathering materials, someone might be doing some research, So it just is different with the material sense. But with 3D printing, I wanted students to figure out, okay, here's how you zoom in and out. Here's how you add new pieces. And especially since I had students 3D printing from kindergarten, I wanted them to grow in their skills year after year. So that's why I didn't mind them designing on their own, but they would collaborate and talk to each other and help each other out because they were using the same platform. Also, sometimes I had students who actually collaborated in the planning process of what their project was, and they were creating the same exact thing on their own devices, but they were talking to each other.


Naomi Meredith [00:15:19]:

So they had the same invention, but they created it on their own so they could both learn the Tinkercad, and so I would start my 1st day of building that background knowledge and gathering information and planning their designs a lot like you would with a Makerspace lesson. The next day, I would have students finish up those plans, and then the last 10 minutes, we would set up their accounts in Tinkercad for 2nd through 5th grade. This would take a little bit of a while because they had to click through some options, add in the teacher code, which also is a really important skill with technology is reading the prompts. What is the computer asking me? Can we follow directions in order? And so we would get them all connected, and then the last little bit, I would show them some things about the platform and how it works like an overview. Now thinking about your position, you probably teach a lot of classes in the day, and that can get really tiring on you teaching those same basics over and over and over again. And so I recommend screen recording yourself and playing your video of you showing those things. That's what I did. I already have the videos.


Naomi Meredith [00:16:36]:

You can show mine. That's fine. We will embed the playlist for you in the show notes. But it was so funny. I would show these videos. It's me talking. It's the whole thing. I'm showing them exactly what I would show them in person, just because I knew I was gonna show this to, what, 5 classes, 4 classes for a month.


Naomi Meredith [00:16:59]:

It's the same thing over and over again, and I wouldn't miss anything. And they were absolutely quiet, and they're super engaged. So a nice little hack. It's still me teaching. I'm just making sure I don't miss anything. Then on days 3 through 5, so I had students 5 days in a row. They had the time to work on their projects, but in the beginning, we would still do a little bit of background knowledge, so building upon why we're doing the project. And then also I'd show them another tutorial video.


Naomi Meredith [00:17:28]:

I did not expect my students to know everything about the 3D print platform, and they might still not know even at the end of the week. They might have figured out the things that I'm showing in the video before I even show it, and that's fine. I couldn't teach them everything in one day. So instead of and this is a growth mindset thing too. Instead of the kids coming up to me and whining, I don't know how to do blah blah blah, or I don't know how to stack a shape. I'm like, oh, well, this is a great opportunity to click around and try something. That will be our lesson tomorrow, but maybe you can figure it out before tomorrow. And some kids might even hear the conversation across the room and say, I already know how to do that.


Naomi Meredith [00:18:11]:

Let me show you. And so I would show I would teach that mini lesson just like you would as a classroom teacher. Some kids might know some of the things before you teach it, but it's okay for them to hear it in a different way. Throughout the week, I would show them or teach them little segments that would help their design. So by Friday, they were good to go and knew some basics about the platform. Before they could be finished, I did have students physically check with me their actual design. They could not be done with their design until we physically talked about it together. Now, you might say, oh my gosh.


Naomi Meredith [00:18:46]:

This is so exhausting. Why would you even do that? Well, if you don't do that, first of all, if they need to make changes, they're not going to understand why they need to make changes if you just go and do it by yourself. And so it's a good learning experience where, hey, you need to do this in your project so it will print. And in all of my 3D print lessons in my TPT shop, I actually have a checklist of what students have to do in their design to make sure, yes, you follow the project rules, but, also, are you actually completing your project in a way it's actually going to print? Because there are things in 3D printers you have to do in order for it to print or it's not gonna work. And so I would talk with every single kid 1 on 1. I would go to their computer. We would talk about their design, I would scroll through. I actually took a wireless mouse with me with the USB port.


Naomi Meredith [00:19:40]:

I'd plug it into their computer, I would scroll around on their computer, check out their design, look at it, make sure they followed the directions, and then, if they were good to go, great. They could close out and be done, or oops, you need to go fix this. Now some of you also might be thinking, this is a thing with 3D printing. Do I ever reprint prints? And it depends. If there was a student who I know was working and trying their best in class and there might be something in their design that didn't go as planned, the next time I see them or I might even catch them in their classroom, I might let them know, hey. This part of your 3D design didn't work. Can you fix this and I will reprint this for you? And I would just keep track of who it was and what class they're in, and then I would reprint it because I was printing for months, so it was no big deal. Still, sometimes, and you know, and you've seen this, you have some kids who are off task.


Naomi Meredith [00:20:38]:

They create something in their 3D print, and you've talked to them about it, they still use all of the random shape, it's it has nothing to do what you're working on, I might not even print it. And that really is a learning experience. We've talked about it. I had gave you a chance to fix it, and you still didn't follow directions. So when it comes to the day that I am passing out those 3D prints and they don't have something, that's their own fault. And that might sound a little bit harsh, but you can only do what you can do. And a few kids don't follow directions. It is what it is.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:15]:

You've tried. Like, this is a two way street, and so they will learn. Oh, well, next time if I want something printed, I better try. So that can definitely happen. Just kinda gauge the experience. For the most part, kids would know if they don't do what they're supposed to do, I'm not gonna print it. They learn that pretty fast about me. I am very a strict nice kind of teacher.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:37]:

I will give you lots of chances, but, also, you gotta do the work, and if you don't, that's your problem. So, but for the most part, everything worked out. Here and there, you also might have students who are absent. I'm, well, hey. Sorry. Hopefully, you're here next year. We're not gonna do this project. We have to move on, and that's how it goes.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:55]:

Now when it comes to lesson ideas, also a systems thing, a couple of questions. I would even have kids ask me this, or I've seen this in classrooms, which I don't understand, is would I print random designs? Oh, I found this really cool 3D print. Can you print it for me? No. I would not. I am not a free source 3D printer. I'm not gonna go print random things you found on the Internet just because you want a little plastic toy. I would say that is not my philosophy of a 3D printer. We are going to design what we print.


Naomi Meredith [00:22:27]:

This is another way of creating something just like you would in a makerspace project. We are creating our prototype through printing it. And so, no, I am not printing out random things that I find on the Internet. So along with that, what I what could kids print whatever they wanted? No. That's why I would physically check with what they have. And, honestly, it this was always a question for kids who are new in the building. Other kids are like, no. She's not gonna do that.


Naomi Meredith [00:22:52]:

But our lessons were so purposeful that the kids are really excited about what they were creating, and all of the lessons were tied to standards and building to solve the problem. So I do have some lessons when it comes to 3D printing to help you get started. I do have an episode more about 3D printing, a few of that I'll link in the show notes. And also all of the 3D printing lessons, there is a free playlist that you can grab. But in terms of the lessons, they're all connected to standards that are appropriate for their grade levels and help solving those issues and problems. So in kindergarten, they create a key chain to help take care of the earth. 1st grade, we talk about animal traits, their babies and their adults, how they are similar and different. In 2nd grade, they create a custom birdhouse, and this helps them learn the cuss the shapes in Tinkercad and how it works.


Naomi Meredith [00:23:40]:

In 3rd grade, we talk about life cycles, and they have to create a model of the life cycle of a living thing. In 4th grade, they create a hollow design. It is empty on the inside, and they create a nightlight that actually will sit on top of a lit up circuit that they make outside of 3D printing. And in 5th grade, they have to create an invention that will help protect Earth's resources. If you're looking for a shorter challenge or something, like, oh, I don't have as much time, the birdhouse challenge is a really good one to get started. It is the quickest project because it doesn't take as much detail because it is more of a starter project. So if you're a little bit short on time, definitely check that one out. As a recap, we talked about the ways in 3D printing to set up your systems, how to manage behavior during this time, and then also some lesson ideas.


Naomi Meredith [00:24:36]:

Don't forget, everything is linked for you in the show notes, and you can also get a free podcast playlist where I have all of the 3D printing lessons organized and all of the episodes in my podcast organized in topics. So if you want to learn more about specific things, that is completely free for you. It's the same exact show you're hearing here, but organized into those categories so to help target what you need. You can find that in the show notes, or you can head on over to namie meredith.com/podcast playlist.

3D Printing Video Tutorial Playlist:

Free Podcast Playlist with other episodes about 3D Printing:


3d printing be used in school

 

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

 

Connect with Naomi Meredith:

 

More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there. 

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

More About The Elementary STEM Coach Podcast

Are you tired of scrolling online for your next great STEM lesson? Do you feel like there is no time to plan, research and test meaningful STEM lessons, so you throw together a hands-on activity and hope that it works? What systems and routines should you set in place to help students be creative, critically think, and collaborate? 

The Elementary STEM Coach is a podcast for K-5 STEM teachers, classroom teachers, GT specialists, and homeschool parents looking for actionable STEM solutions. Each week, Naomi Meredith will share tools, resources and lesson ideas that are actionable in your classroom and create highly engaging experiences with your students. You’ll learn systems and routines that will create control in the chaos and that will keep you organized all year long. 

Your mindless scrolling days are over! Your new STEM-best friend is now here in your ear buds!

aerospace engineer

Sky-High Engineering: Behind the Scenes with Aerospace Engineer & Deep Space and Missile Senior Manager at Lockheed Martin, Scott Shepherd [ep.6]

by Naomi Meredith

Sky-High Engineering: Behind the Scenes with Aerospace Engineer & Deep Space and Missle Senior Manager at Lockheed Martin, Scott Shepherd [ep.6]

aerospace engineer

Check out the full episode on Sky-High Engineering: Behind the Scenes with Aerospace Engineer & Deep Space and Missle Senior Manager at Lockheed Martin, Scott Shephers  

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

Episode Summary

All right, my Questies! We are continuing our adventure in outer space! Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be part of a team that builds a spacecraft that they get to send into outer space? That would be so cool to do! Did you know that there are people who collaborate to plan, design, and build spacecrafts? Aerospace engineers get to do this for their STEM career!

Today, we’re hearing from Scott Shepherd, who is an aerospace engineer with the role of a  Deep Space and Missile Senior Manager. Scott takes us on a journey showing us what it’s like to be an aerospace engineer who works on deep space projects, what led him to choose this STEM career, and so much more! This episode is filled with so many fun and exciting facts about aerospace engineers that I know you’re going to enjoy. Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about what it’s like to be an aerospace engineer.

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

 

Want more ways to enhance your podcast listening experience? 

Click HERE to join our STEM Career Quest Club!

Inside, you get access to 

  • a private community of other STEM Career Quest listeners
  • comprehension guides for each episode
  • teaching slides for each episode, where it is broken up into chunks so you can listen in smaller segments
  • related STEM activities you can complete with simple materials
  • one monthly virtual STEM field trip

And more!

aerospace engineer

 

Meet Scott Shepherd:

Scott was born in a suburb of Chicago but moved out to Colorado when he was 10. Always interested in space, he went to college for Mechanical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines and started working at Lockheed Martin Space while still going to school. He stared by working on a Mars Orbiter, Odyssey, that is still flying around Mars today. He spent many years designing gimbals and mechanisms for satellites, then moved to operating satellites after they are launched into space. He is now a senior manager overseeing several teams that operate spacecraft and missiles. Some of the missions he gets to work with are the Hubble Space Telescope, Osiris-Rex, Lucy, Juno, and several military satellite and missile programs.

 

See an Aerospace Engineer & Deep Space and Missile Senior Manager in Action:

aerospace engineer
Mounting solar arrays to the OSIRIS-Rex spacecraft.

Gif of the OSIRIS-Rex TAG getting a sample from the asteroid Bennu. The sample was recently returned to Earth and is being studied by scientists. Some of the samples are on display at the Smithsonian and University of Arizona.

aerospace engineer
Imaging Ultraviolet Spectrometer (IUVS) is a spectrometer designed to measure and map characteristics of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere of Mars. The IUVS was designed and is operated by the University of Colorado at Boulder.

aerospace engineer

aerospace engineer
Deployment of science equipment on Mars from the InSight Lander.

 

More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there. 

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

Connect with the Host, Naomi Meredith:

More About The STEM Career Quest Podcast

Have you ever found yourself asking this question… “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Maybe you already have an answer to that, maybe you don’t.

Both are ok!

Welcome to the “STEM Career Quest” podcast! A show made for kids like you to help you build your dreams, or even find new ones, in science, technology, engineering and math. Each week, hear captivating stories and interviews to explore the exciting world of STEM. Oh! And grown-ups and teachers, you can listen too!

We’ll talk to experts in STEM who are passionate about what they do in the real-world and how they make a positive impact in their careers. Created and hosted by K-5 STEM Coach, Naomi Meredith, this show will spark your imagination and passions.

Join us each week on our quest to explore the possibilities of careers in STEM, one episode at a time.

makerspace ideas for elementary

Makespace Ideas for Elementary [STEM Project & Behavior Management Series] [ep.150]

by Naomi Meredith

Makerspace Ideas for Elementary [STEM Project & Behavior Management Series] [ep.150]

makerspace ideas for elementary

Check out the full episode on Makerspace Ideas for Elementary:  

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

Have a STEM question? Leave a voice message for the podcast!

Episode Summary

Have you been wanting to implement a Makerspace in your classroom but aren’t sure where to begin? From figuring out what types of systems to set up to creating routines and behavior management, it can be a lot trying to figure out how to get started. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down Makerspace ideas for elementary classrooms, including setting up systems and routines, behavior management, and lesson ideas.

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Systems for setting up your Makerspace
  • Behavior management for a Makerspace
  • Makerspace lesson ideas for elementary

Resources Mentioned:

Episode Transcript: 

Naomi Meredith [00:00:00]:

You are excited about getting started with your Makerspace projects, but how do you really begin? What types of systems, routines, behavior management, and meaningful lessons should you try? We are going to answer all of those questions about Makerspace in today's episode. The first time I did a Makerspace lesson in my K-5 STEM classroom, I was so excited. I had all of the supplies set up. Everything was labeled with pictures and words.


Naomi Meredith [00:01:09]:

All of the markers and crayons were sorted by color. I felt extremely prepared and so excited about what we were going to work on together. With my schedule, I had 5th grade first in the day, which was great. Okay. Cool. I have the oldest kids, so I can always test those things out. And if it messes up, then the older kids can just go along with it with me. We did our projects, and at the end of the 45 minutes, I was out of supplies.


Naomi Meredith [00:01:42]:

It was an absolute free-for-all. My behavior management was fine, but when it came to the actual supplies, I didn't think through that step. I thought that in a Makerspace, kids could do whatever they wanted. They get as much supplies as they want. They can make these ginormous projects, and it would be fine. Well, I didn't even know where to put their projects. There was nowhere to put them. I was looking at what they were creating.


Naomi Meredith [00:02:09]:

They were never going to be done. It was way too open-ended. And so I really had to modify things for the rest of the week because, like I said, I was pretty much out of everything, especially tape. And so, through my really bad experience, I have figured it out and how it went for the next few years in my STEM classroom and also transitioning into the STEM programs that I teach out in my community. Even though you are having kids be creative, you still have to have rules in place, and it is not limiting their creativity whatsoever. In fact, when things are really open-ended, that can be really overwhelming for kids and adults. You know how it feels when you walk into a craft store and see all of the supplies everywhere, and you are getting 5,000,000,000 ideas on types of projects that you should start? It kinda feels like that. If you give free rein to all of your Makerspace supplies, your kids might be getting too many ideas and might not even finish the project you want them to do.


Naomi Meredith [00:03:27]:

So it's okay to narrow it down, and I'm gonna share with you those tips and tricks in your Makerspace that are really going to streamline things and help you be successful. The 3 big things that we are going to be talking about in today's episode and also in this little mini-series I have planned for you are the systems to do with these types of projects. So today, we're talking about Makerspace, but there are other things we're going to be talking about, so systems. Then we're gonna be talking about behavior management, and this is also going to help with that motivation piece as well. And then, at the end, I'm gonna give you some lesson plan ideas. When it comes to the systems in your Makerspace, I have a whole method to the madness now. If you scroll back to episodes 5 and 6 of this podcast, I talk about exactly how I set up my Makerspace and the whole system that I use in terms of managing. I'm gonna mention that here, but I highly encourage you to go back and check those episodes.


Naomi Meredith [00:04:34]:

I also have a free podcast playlist where all of my episodes that relate to Makerspace are chunked together, so you don't have to pick and choose. I know 56 are right next to each other, but that will be linked in the show notes. The whole podcast playlist, you can get that for free. And all of the other playlists where I have categorized all the episodes in my podcast where you can focus on specific topics. When it comes to the specific materials that you are setting up, I actually kept my Makerspace supplies set up year-round. And this was really helpful because if there were times I needed specific materials for certain projects, maybe they were Makerspace, maybe they weren't. I knew where they were at all times. Now I was really lucky the furniture in my room had wheels. I can move them around if needed.


Naomi Meredith [00:05:29]:

I typically didn't, but I kept all of my supplies out. Everything was labeled with pictures and words to help not only students who were pre-readers but all students. It's really awesome having everything labeled with pictures and words because you can find exactly where everything goes, and it helps the students be really independent. I already created these labels for you, and there's an editable slide you can create your own that matches. So, again, that will also be linked in the show notes. All these resources that I'm talking about will be linked for you to make it nice and easy. I also kept my staple supplies that are in high demand and are needed for all grade levels, my scissors, my crayons, my markers, and even a spot for pencils, all in one location in the classroom. Those were there all of the time, and students knew that they could grab those as needed.


Naomi Meredith [00:06:29]:

All of my markers were color-coded in the paper drawers. If you know what I'm talking about, they're the 3 stacked drawers you pull out. I organized them by color because it looked really nice. It was easier to clean up, and we didn't use markers all the time. I had the same markers for 5 years, and they were ready to go for another 5. Markers weren't used very often in my classroom. With crayons, I tried a lot of different things. I tried individual supply boxes.


Naomi Meredith [00:07:04]:

I tried those supply caddies where you can have crayons and all sorts of things in one. I tried big buckets. So what I found that worked best was that I had small metal buckets that were for crayons. They had the little handle. Those are in Dollar Tree spots all the time. You might even get some for gifts. I know I get those for little gifts all the time. People give those to me with cool things in them.


Naomi Meredith [00:07:31]:

But I use those for crayons, and they were the perfect size because the crayons could stand up nicely, the kids could grab and go, put them at their table, and so it made the sharing a lot easier, and they looked really cute, too. Scissors and glue sticks were in their own bigger plastic buckets, just some plastic buckets that I had when I first started teaching, actually, and then I kept pencils in separate buckets as well. Now you might be thinking, why did you keep this all separate? Okay. So, I did put them all together before. I had the crayons, the pencils, the scissors. They kept getting mixed up. And when I used them with the younger kids, they were so excited that they had scissors and glue sticks all to themselves. And it became a distraction tool, and it really wasn't organized.


Naomi Meredith [00:08:17]:

Kids were throwing trash in there. And so if I catch everything separated for certain projects, especially for the younger students again, if they only needed crayons, I could pull out just the crayons. If we only needed scissors, I could pick out just the scissors. It made cleanup a lot easier when everything was separated. So, think about those staple items that were really helpful, and students actually told me how they liked how organized it was. I asked them, and they said they really liked it. The kids would tell me all the time how organized I was, and that's saying a lot in a STEM classroom where things are happening in projects all the time. Yes, we have projects everywhere, but I'm a very organized person. I'm not very clean, I'm very organized.


Naomi Meredith [00:09:10]:

There is a difference. If you have your Makerspace set up all year, it doesn't mean you are doing Makerspace projects all year. However, I do recommend keeping stock of items year-round. Maybe you ask certain grade levels to help you collect items for a project that is coming up with their grade. You could send out an email to just that grade level. If you need more pipe cleaners, that grade level may help you with pipe cleaners. If you need more thin cardboard, I always use thin cardboard. I didn't use big boxes of cardboard.


Naomi Meredith [00:09:46]:

I'm gonna tell you why in a little bit. But if you need thin cardboard, the teachers' lounge is a treasure trove of thin cardboard. I put in a donation box in the teacher's lounge. I wrote a note: Hey, if you have any thin cardboard from your meals, put them in this box, and it will be full by the end of the week. And so if I were good on the cardboard, I would take the box away. If I was running low, I put the box back, and it was a really great way to collect cardboard that was going to get thrown away anyway. So you have an idea of how to organize your Makerspace. What about the behavior management? Do you feel like your kids are getting a little too wild because they are creating? It might get loud.


Naomi Meredith [00:10:31]:

In all of these lessons, the kids are gonna get loud. I can't tell you that they're not gonna be loud because they are. That's how it goes. I got so used to it. It is what it is. But being loud is different than not doing what you're supposed to do. So make sure there you understand the difference between that and what's happening in your class. When it comes to behavior management, it is about the way your lesson is formatted and the systems and routines of that structure.


Naomi Meredith [00:11:04]:

When students come in for my lessons, and this is true for all of my lessons, and even when I teach after-school clubs, I do not let kids get the supplies right away. That is not happening. I am going to help them with that transition time and teach them mini-lessons that are involved with the engineering design process. Keep it really short, have that background knowledge, tell them anything they need to know about supplies, and most of the time, it is work time. Also, make sure you are leaving time at the end to clean up. A Makerspace project might take longer to clean up than a robotics lesson. Keep that in mind. I would give kids about 10 minutes.


Naomi Meredith [00:11:44]:

I would try 10 minutes to start. And depending That is the overall structure of the lesson, but let's break it down throughout the days. At the beginning of your Makerspace lesson, you probably want kids to imagine different ideas and planning. If your kids are having a hard time planning and coming up with ideas, especially if you have a newer program, you might need to give them more examples. Those examples can be things like things in real life, examples of pictures of things students have built in the past. You might even have to build a few examples to get the ground running. For Makerspace projects, I don't typically teach students you have to do the it this way step by step. Now for an after school program, that might be the case.


Naomi Meredith [00:12:44]:

But in the classroom setting, I do have a challenge I want them to solve, but I'm not gonna show you step by step on how to do it. I might show them step by step in a mini-lesson on how to do a certain strategy. For example, with one of my stem lessons, STEM race cars and STEM amusement park, there is a part in that project where students have to add a wheel and axle on their car and allow it to move. This is pretty tricky, and I would always get a ton of questions on this strategy. So, one of the days during the mini lesson, I just showed the kids how to do that. It didn't mean I was showing them how to build their car. I was just showing them that piece of their car that everybody was going to need, and then the rest was up to them. So those kinds of strategies, just like if you're teaching math, like, we're learning lots of strategies, I would teach them those kinds of things as they would come up.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:40]:

It depends on the lesson, and that was really helpful. When grouping students, this is up to you if you want students to choose their groups or if you assign them for them. I did both. It actually depends on the class. Some groups do a great job choosing their partners, and some don't. If you have classes that get out of control really quick, you might need to keep them in groups of 2. This is really rare. Some might need to be in just in groups of 1.


Naomi Meredith [00:14:11]:

I only had to do that a couple of times, but it happens. And it is really sad, but at the same time, your job is also as the teacher to keep kids safe and help them be successful. And if that's where they're at, that's where they're at. I wanna do more than 4 kids. 3 is my favorite because I feel like everybody can get involved, but no more than 4. It just gets too crazy, and at that point, you should just have, partnerships in anyway. What's also going to help them in that building process is really giving students that time to plan. This is gonna help them in that creation.


Naomi Meredith [00:14:46]:

They may or may not build everything exactly how they drew the picture, but this is going to help them get the ideas out of their brain and have a starting point. And if you do add in Makerspace money, which, again, go back to episodes 5 and 6, I explained that whole process. But if you use that system, that's also going to help students critically think more about what supplies they are using and why they are using them. The more you give specific tasks in these creative projects, kids are gonna stay on task a lot better. If there is a problem they are trying to solve, that's going to help a lot better. So if you are doing roller coasters and you want to time how fast the marble goes through the track and keep track of the time, they're gonna be a lot more motivated to do that project instead of just build a roller coaster, have a good time. If you have those specific challenges they are trying to solve, that's gonna help so much with behavior management, and that is going back to engagement. Are they being engaged in the project? Are they do they have a purpose? And so these things really blend together.


Naomi Meredith [00:15:58]:

You might need to rethink the lessons you're teaching. That sometimes can be a problem when it comes to the behavior management. For some specific supplies, I also have rules set in place. A big one is with tape. And if you follow me on Instagram at Naomi Meredith, underscore, I talk about tape a lot because I think it's actually really funny, and it is a weird thing that STEM teachers have in common. I'm very specific with tape. Tape is not a free-for-all. You get one foot of tape.


Naomi Meredith [00:16:31]:

I wrap it on a popsicle stick. I've also seen people put it on a ruler, and that is all the tape you get. And I do have part of the budget you could buy unlimited tape, but it's, like, more than half of their budget. Most kids don't actually buy that one. And so I'm very specific about the amount of tape. I am not very strict on glue sticks. They're pretty cheap. I am actually trying to get more into glue sponges, and I've always seen it.


Naomi Meredith [00:16:59]:

I've never tried it, but I am actually going to test out glue sponges with some Makerspace clubs that I'm gonna be running in my community. And if you haven't heard of glue sponges, I did ask my husband if he knew, but he teaches high school Spanish. He's like, what are you talking about? So I don't know. I just wanted to see if all teachers knew. But a glue sponge is you just have, like, a sandwich ziplock container, and you put a sponge in there, and you pour liquid glue on top. And when kids are wanting to glue pieces of paper and smaller things, you dab your paper on the sponge, and it gets it all sticky on the back, and then you paste it where you want it. This is an older technique. I've never done it, but I really wanna try it because the one thing that really bothers me about glue sticks is the kids won't put the caps on.


Naomi Meredith [00:17:48]:

And so I'm gonna try it. I'm gonna let you know. Follow me on Instagram. I'll let you know what I think about them in a STEM space, but, I actually don't have any limit on glue. I just didn't that wasn't a battle I wanted to fight. With hot glue guns, depended on the year if I wanted to use hot glue guns. I like to use the lower temperature hot glue guns. One thing with that, sometimes they do get clogged over time, and it could be because you might have the wrong glue sticks.


Naomi Meredith [00:18:19]:

Some of the hot glue gun sticks are made for lower temperature. And so if you have a station for hot glue guns, I would use them 2nd through 5th grade. Make sure that the station is at waist height and they're not on the ground because that can be a little bit of an issue. So I do have specific procedures in place for hot glue guns. I have some posters in my TBT shop you can grab. I think it's Kelly Hogan. She actually has those in her classroom. She put them in frames, which I thought was such a cute idea to hang up posters.


Naomi Meredith [00:18:51]:

So, that is something I might do at a Makerspace, but, again, it depends on my budget, if I have enough money for the hot glue gun sticks, and, honestly, if I want to manage it or not, and it depends on the class. Usually, it's just tape. If I'm feeling nice, we'll do hot glue guns, but it's not very often that we did. When it comes to the projects, I make sure that their projects are smaller, that they can fit in a grocery bag or a gallon size ziplock bag. A few exceptions to some projects like roller coasters, those are gonna be a little bit bigger. But I do make sure their projects are smaller because they're gonna finish them a lot quicker. When you have limited time, you want the projects to be a little bit smaller, that's definitely going to help. And then with that cleanup time, I have seen teachers have specific jobs where you need to do certain things.


Naomi Meredith [00:19:43]:

I don't do that. Again, I didn't like managing all of that, so I would say, okay. Here's all the things you need to do to get cleaned up. When you're cleaned up, you're sitting at your clean table. When everybody was sitting down, I would walk around just to make sure everything's good to go before they could line up. So it kinda maybe looked a little bit chaotic, but everybody is putting things away. Sometimes I would bribe them where whichever table's clean up first, I'll give you a prize, or you get some sort of incentive. So that can really help too just to make sure everybody's doing what they're supposed to do.


Naomi Meredith [00:20:16]:

With those projects, I would have them store them in those grocery bags or Ziploc bags, and I had those big fabric tubs and just binder clips their teacher's name on it, and they would put all of their plans and their projects in that bucket. Then, I had a shelf in my classroom if anything needed to stand up. Those could be sitting on the shelf. At the very, very, very end of the unit, you can have students take a picture or take a video of their work. I loved using Seesaw for this purpose. So everybody gets to take it home, And then maybe one student can bring the project home, and if nobody wanted to bring the project home, I would actually have them destruct the project where any pieces that can be reused would actually go back in the Makerspace and have a new life. If you're wondering about what kinds of lessons you should be teaching, then I have some ideas for you, and they are all standards aligned and things that my students have absolutely loved. I'm just gonna give you a snapshot of all of these, and most of them have a podcast episode where I go more into depth about every single lesson I teach for all the grades.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:22]:

So make sure to check that out, and, again, I have that playlist for you where those lessons are in there as well. One of the most fan favorites from my students and also a lot of you out there have actually written to me and say that yours you and your students really loved it is STEM survival camp. And so all of the challenges utilize things in nature and a little bit of Makerspace supplies to help solve different situations as if they were surviving in the wilderness and what inventions they could create to help solve their problems. So this one is super fun. This one's really great for the beginning of the school year and also the end of the school year or any summer camps that you have coming up. I'm actually gonna be teaching some summer camps coming up here in my community, and STEM survival camp is one of the units that I'm actually gonna be teaching. And so that one is a really fun one. If you listen to episode 4, I tell you all about it.


Naomi Meredith [00:22:21]:

Another hidden treasure, which this one is really fun too, and I feel like it's a little bit more unknown of my lessons. But once you do them, you're gonna be obsessed. And this one is Earth's engineers. So students are taking on different roles, different types of engineers, and different building challenges to help take care of the earth or understand earth's processes. One of the most popular ones is the Rube Goldberg ecosystems where they have to show the chain reaction in that ecosystem. And that one was really, really fun, and it was cool that kids got to learn what a Rube Goldberg machine was. If you wanna hear more about that lesson, go check out episode 135. Another unit that was so funny, I actually stood this at the end of a school year and tested it out the last month of school, and most teachers wouldn't do that, but I was crazy enough and I wanted to try it.


Naomi Meredith [00:23:16]:

And this is another theme called STEMMusement Park, and each grade level has a different challenge and a different part of the amusement park, and they are learning about different forces and motion that go along with their science standards. Now you could actually combine all their projects and have a science night, and they're showcasing all of their lessons. We didn't do that. I thought that would be really cool, but they are all different park designers and have to design that certain section. So that one's a really fun one. And if you don't have a lot of time for these types of challenges, but you still want to implement Makerspace, I do have some one day challenges that work really well. If you have one day with the kids, you need something a little bit more guided and you wanna make those connections, or maybe you're doing STEM after school clubs, these are actually the units that I'm gonna be teaching coming up. And I have more add some changes.


Naomi Meredith [00:24:23]:

And, there are some things I know I want to put in these lessons, but these have all the one day challenges. I have all the supplies listed out and a little bit more guided, but still really fun. As a recap, we talked about those things to help you in your maker space where you can get all the things up and running. We talked about what to do for your systems, ways to handle behavior management, and a snapshot of different lessons that you can teach. As a reminder, I have free podcast playlist where my whole entire podcast is organized into categories. So if you wanna learn specifically about Makerspace and these lessons that I talked about, there is a whole playlist where everything is sorted for you. And it's super cool because once you get the link, then it actually works just like a podcast. So it will pop into your podcast player.


Naomi Meredith [00:25:18]:

And anytime I update that playlist and, sort more episodes, it will pop up at automatically for you. So they're not secret episodes. It's everything in my show, but, again, it's organized into categories, and I even created a spreadsheet where I put all of the timestamps of all the episodes. So if you need to keep track of professional development hours, all of this can count. And so I track that all for you, so you're welcome to make a copy and figure out the time you need. Thank you for being here and hanging out with me, and I'm so excited for this series where we're gonna talk about those systems, behavior, and lesson ideas for different topics in STEM. So make sure you join me in the next episode, where we're going to be talking about 3D printing.

makerspace ideas for elementary

 

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

 

Connect with Naomi Meredith:

 

More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there. 

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

More About The Elementary STEM Coach Podcast

Are you tired of scrolling online for your next great STEM lesson? Do you feel like there is no time to plan, research and test meaningful STEM lessons, so you throw together a hands-on activity and hope that it works? What systems and routines should you set in place to help students be creative, critically think, and collaborate? 

The Elementary STEM Coach is a podcast for K-5 STEM teachers, classroom teachers, GT specialists, and homeschool parents looking for actionable STEM solutions. Each week, Naomi Meredith will share tools, resources and lesson ideas that are actionable in your classroom and create highly engaging experiences with your students. You’ll learn systems and routines that will create control in the chaos and that will keep you organized all year long. 

Your mindless scrolling days are over! Your new STEM-best friend is now here in your ear buds!

spacecraft systems engineer

Blast Off with Engineering: Behind the Scenes with Spacecraft Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin, Jessica Kennedy [ep.5]

by Naomi Meredith

Blast Off with Engineering: Behind the Scenes with Spacecraft Systems Engineer at  Lockheed Martin, Jessica Kennedy [ep.5]

spacecraft systems engineer

Check out the full episode on Blast Off with Engineering: Behind the Scenes with Spacecraft Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin, Jessica Kennedy  

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

Episode Summary

Hey, my little Questies! We are continuing our adventure in outer space, but this time with a twist. Did you know that the GPS app your parents use on their phones to get directions telling them where to go works because of special satellites in outer space? That’s right! There are satellites in outer space that orbit Earth to send signals to GPS devices so we can know how to go anywhere in the world. These satellites are built by a team of people who work together to test and code them and eventually send them into space. So, who does this much needed STEM career? 

In today’s episode, we will hear from Jessica Kennedy, a spacecraft systems engineer at Lockheed Martin. Jessica takes us on a journey through what it’s like to be a spacecraft systems engineer, the coolest part of her STEM career, and so much more. This episode is full of so many fun and exciting facts that I know Questies like you will enjoy! Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about what it’s like to be a spacecraft systems engineer.

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

Want more ways to enhance your podcast listening experience? 

Click HERE to join our STEM Career Quest Club!

Inside, you get access to 

  • a private community of other STEM Career Quest listeners
  • comprehension guides for each episode
  • teaching slides for each episode, where it is broken up into chunks so you can listen in smaller segments
  • related STEM activities you can complete with simple materials
  • one monthly virtual STEM field trip

And more!

spacecraft systems engineer

 

Meet Jessica Kennedy:

Hi there – I’m Jessica Kennedy; the mom of a first grader, preschooler, and 2 year old and I also get to work on Satellites! I’ve gotten to work on satellites that help the military, and GPS that your mom and dad use in their cars. My friends get to work on satellites that go to asteroids and Jupiter, as well as the Orion capsule that is going to take astronauts to do a moon fly-by next year and to land on the moon in December 2025. I’ve been able to build 3-D software fly-through models for the military, touch hardware on an test GPS spacecraft, be a manager of a systems engineering team, and work on proposals for future satellites.

I went to college at Nothern Arizona University and graduated with a degree in mathematics and one in psychology. I had an internship at Lockheed Martin and then decided to work there after I graduated. I started work and then got a Master's degree in Systems Engineering Mechatronics from the University of Denver that Lockheed Martin paid for. I've been working there for 16 years.

Connect with Jessica: 

See a Spacecraft Systems Engineer in Action:

spacecraft systems engineer

spacecraft systems engineer
A piece of spacecraft structure. The honeycomb pattern allows it to be strong while remaining light in weight (since that is an important consideration for launching it into space!)

spacecraft systems engineer

spacecraft systems engineer
Jessica Kennedy sharing about her role at Lockheed Martin at an elementary school STEM Career Day experience that the podcast host, Naomi Meredith, had put together.
spacecraft systems engineer
A piece of thermal blanket material (gold on the left), a scale model of MUOS (top) and an LEGO Orion Space Capsule (right)

 

More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there. 

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

Connect with the Host, Naomi Meredith:

More About The STEM Career Quest Podcast

Have you ever found yourself asking this question… “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Maybe you already have an answer to that, maybe you don’t.

Both are ok!

Welcome to the “STEM Career Quest” podcast! A show made for kids like you to help you build your dreams, or even find new ones, in science, technology, engineering and math. Each week, hear captivating stories and interviews to explore the exciting world of STEM. Oh! And grown-ups and teachers, you can listen too!

We’ll talk to experts in STEM who are passionate about what they do in the real-world and how they make a positive impact in their careers. Created and hosted by K-5 STEM Coach, Naomi Meredith, this show will spark your imagination and passions.

Join us each week on our quest to explore the possibilities of careers in STEM, one episode at a time.

video editing lessons for kids

Explore STEMsational Space: Audio & Video Editing Lessons for Kids [ep.149]

by Naomi Meredith

Explore STEMsational Space: Audio & Video Editing Lessons for Kids [ep.149]

video editing lessons for kids

Check out the full episode on Explore STEMsational Space: Audio & Video Editing Lessons for Kids  

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

Have a STEM question? Leave a voice message for the podcast!

Episode Summary

Is it hard to incorporate audio and video editing lessons for kids into your STEM classroom? It’s not! In fact, there are some ways to not only easily implement it into your classroom but also do it in a way that’s inexpensive. I’m showing you exactly how in today’s episode. We’re going behind the scenes of my STEMsational Space lesson that’s a fun and engaging way to teach your students audio and video production. Listen to learn tips and strategies for implementing this lesson in your classroom!

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Ways to integrate Earth and space science while creating audio and video editing lessons for kids in your STEM classroom
  • Origins of the STEMsational Space unit
  • Prep and materials needed for the STEMsational Space unit
  • Tips for setting up your classroom for recording audio and video

Resources Mentioned:

Episode Transcript: 

Naomi Meredith [00:00:00]:

How can you easily integrate video and audio production in the classroom but with a STEM twist? In today's episode, I will be sharing with you ways that you can integrate Earth and space science while creating video and audio produced projects. Video production is an essential skill that I believe all students should be able to learn in various capacities, whether you have students presenting on camera, which creating video and audio produced projects are actually standard. So take a peek at your common core state standards because there are standards that talk about this when creating digital pieces, but it's not just the presentation skills. There is a lot of work behind the scenes when it comes to producing video and audio shows, and they're very, very similar in the way that you produce them.


Naomi Meredith [00:01:35]:

So, of course, when you are presenting on camera, you have to be animated, but literally everything behind the scenes is almost exactly the same. I'm talking about when it comes to researching a topic, being able to look at all those various resources and put it together in a way that makes sense for a script, which is so important for our students to know. Likewise, think about all the technology skills that go into creating a video or a podcast. It can be really, really simple, but then also it can get really complicated when you are layering different elements. Likewise, there are all of the editing skills that can go into that production as well to streamline the project and make it exciting and engaging for your audience. These are just a few of the skills that I can think of off the top of my head. And, really, when I was teaching these lessons to my students in the k to 5 STEM classroom, I was learning a lot as well when it came to my own videos and my own podcast because there were some things that I needed to work on as well. But in turn, I was also sharing skills with my students that I was using with my own shows, and that was really valuable.


Naomi Meredith [00:03:01]:

Of course, not all of our students are going to be podcasters or YouTubers, but they are important skills to have that you can use in any job. Even just with my teaching job, I used a lot of video skills. At the same time I was teaching this unit with video and audio, I actually started up our school-wide video news, which I have a bunch of episodes all about that and a workshop that you can jump on in on if you wanna learn more about it. But I was doing that at the same time when I was building up this unit for my regular classes, and there was a lot of overlap with those lessons. But just thinking about my job as a teacher, like I said, having those basic skills when it came to creating videos, and, of course, I learn more and more. I'm still learning more. But having those basic skills of being able to create video really helped my job. And since then, those skills are still really valuable and important for a lot of the different things that I'm creating for my own business and contract work that a lot of people don't have.


Naomi Meredith [00:04:12]:

So this is something that we really need to think about for our students. Yes. The technology is going to change, but having those basic skills that can be improved on, and, of course, you can always learn new technology as you get older, but video and audio aren't going away. Sure. AI could be something added to it, but this is something that we really need to think about for our students in the STEM space, and it definitely involves a ton of STEM skills. So thinking about that, what is the origin of this unit that I like to call STEMsational space? When I was planning this video and audio unit for my students, I was mapping out my entire K to 5 STEM year-long plan, which you can grab the entire scope and sequence for free. Just grab it at Naomimeredith.com/yearlongplan.


Naomi Meredith [00:05:05]:

It's also linked in the show notes. But when I was mapping out the year, there were a lot of standards when it came to Earth and space science. A lot of the standards involved explaining why things happen or how they work, and I thought some sort of digital piece could be really beneficial in explaining these topics because, obviously, we can't go into space in the classroom. I wish I were Miss Frizzle. But there are a ton of resources out there that students can use, so I wanted to merge the two together. Hence, I came up with the name STEMsational space. I mentioned this a little bit before, but creating video and audio is a STEM skill. And I think there's a lot of misconception when it comes to what STEM is, and there's always a huge focus on coding, robotics, and even Makerspace.


Naomi Meredith [00:05:57]:

But sometimes I think we're missing out on some of those other types of skills that some students will really connect with. When you see my year-long plan, I really try to provide a variety of experiences for my students because not every kid is going to like all of the things. And I get really frustrated when I hear about STEM programs that only do one thing, then call your class that one thing. Call it a coding class if you're gonna do just coding all year round. Don't call it STEM. There's more to it. So maybe think about renaming your programs. But that's why I thought it would be really cool to add this component.


Naomi Meredith [00:06:36]:

And when I talk about the prep work for this, it is way low prep on the materials. You're gonna absolutely love it. So, I'll talk about those materials in a second. Also, you're thinking, wait. Did you do this with kindergarten and 1st graders? I absolutely did. Kindergartners and 1st graders definitely want to make videos, and the process for that is not as complicated as, say, what a 5th grader did. But little kids can still make high-quality videos that work for their age. It is possible, and I wanted them to build up those skills at a young age.


Naomi Meredith [00:07:14]:

And I tell this to all the grades. It's different just taking a video for fun and snapping something that you are doing really quickly, sending it to your friends, or putting it on social media. When you're really creating informational videos, there is a lot more behind-the-scenes than when it comes to the time to record. The same is true on this podcast. You are hearing the finished and polished version of all of this, but it takes a lot of research and prep work behind the scenes, all of the editing with my podcast manager, and all of the video from me. There's a lot more that goes into before and after the show. So I really wanted students to see that process even at a young age where, yes, you see this beautiful thing, but there's a lot of things that go into it as well. Alright.


Naomi Meredith [00:08:05]:

So how do you even go about setting up a video and audio type of unit? Is it a lot of materials? Do I need a lot of expensive and shiny things? No. You don't. That was also a big part of it because I always am thinking about how I want to show my students things that, yes, these units are really well thought out by me, where they probably wouldn't play be planning these lessons at home. But when it comes to the actual tools that we're using, I wanted to keep it very, very simple so that they could replicate it at home. So here are the tools that I used and the purpose behind them. You don't have to use all of these. These are definitely suggestions. There could be even more updated things after the fact when this podcast comes out, but it really doesn't take as much as you think it does.


Naomi Meredith [00:08:57]:

When it comes to the actual devices, use what you already have. If you have iPads or tablets, great. If you have laptops or Chromebooks, awesome. Use what you have. I actually didn't have any laptops in my classroom. When they remodeled the space, they took out all the desktops, and it was totally fine. But it was actually a habit where I had students bring in their devices to STEM, so I wanted them to connect the learning from what we're doing in this physical space in the STEM classroom to their regular classroom. For our laptops or Chromebooks, we use the platform called WeVideo.


Naomi Meredith [00:09:33]:

And I'm not sponsored by WeVideo, but for both of my podcasts, the Elementary STEM Coach this one and the STEM Career Quest podcast. But it's an awesome platform, and it is made with students in mind. So, if you don't have any experience with video editing, it is very simple. It is very visual, where you drag and drop your video clips. If you wanna put any fun things on top of your videos, like text or images, or if you wanna edit the green screen, you are able to do that within WeVideo. There are ways to get started for free, so check that out. And then there are some options if you wanna buy a subscription for your classroom or even your school district. And maybe you had a subscription at your school district, and you never knew how to use it.


Naomi Meredith [00:10:31]:

I definitely recommend it, and they're always improving and making it better. So I love WeVideo. I'm obsessed. There is an app for the iPads as well, so I'm gonna talk about iPads in a second. So, really, really great. You can also do iMovie, which is very similar. That was where I actually first started doing computer editing with iMovie. The one thing I don't love, and maybe it's changed now, is that it takes up a lot of room on your hard drive.


Naomi Meredith [00:10:57]:

I do have a Mac, and I do have iMovie, but I switched to WeVideo because I wanted everything not on my hard drive and saved in a cloud. So, if anything were to happen to my computer, I wouldn't worry about where my video is. It wasn't on the hard drive. So 2 really great platforms. You might have heard of some other things. I know some people are playing around with Canva and trying different things with Canva. You can record in Canva. Canva for Education, at the time of this recording, is free for teachers, but you can try that as well.


Naomi Meredith [00:11:29]:

And I've also seen some people edit some green screen. So those are some three options to look into and get started. For iPads, most of these things are actually the same. When I did my video recording with younger students in kindergarten and 1st grade, we just used Seesaw. And the reason behind this is that it is a tool we are actually always using in STEM anyway. I wanted my students to get better at using Seesaw, not only in my classroom but in their classrooms as well when they were recording their own work at their level, of course. We know those little kinders and first graders. They have the cutest little things. They might tack forever and ever and ever, but I wanted them to get a little bit better in Seesaw as well.


Naomi Meredith [00:12:13]:

Also, WeVideo does work on iPads that I know of, and, also, iMovie has those capabilities as well. And then I also, for a green screen, used a green screen by Do Ink. It is a paid app, but it's an awesome, awesome app for younger students to really visualize how the green screen actually works. So if you invest in it now, you will have it for a very long time. There's also an animation aspect. So, if you wanna merge in some animations as well, that's really great. But I love that app so much, and I have it on my own personal devices because it just works really well for that visual green screen editing. So those are some really good things to look into and check out based on the devices that you have.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:04]:

For other physical items, these are definitely all optional. And if you do wanna spend a little bit of money or invest, try it out. The video recording can get really loud, and I definitely understand that. And one thing I did tell my students is it's not going to be the most perfect audio in the whole wide world. We're in school. There are lots of us, and there's no way we can all move around where it's the perfect rerecording space. I told them when I'm at home, I'm in a great environment, but sometimes my dog will bark, or there's an airplane that goes by. You guys will hear it.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:44]:

It is what it is. Sometimes my husband will come on and come home and start playing with the dog, and you might hear it. But I tell the kids, it is what it is. Like, it's totally fine. Like, you're not getting graded on, oh my gosh. I can't get the perfectest, quietest space ever, and that's okay. But I do really recommend spreading them out the best you can and using those fabric boxes, like, from IKEA or, like, those storage cubes, and lay them on their side. What I would have students do is put their script inside of the box and then put their heads in there.


Naomi Meredith [00:14:21]:

And if you have a microphone, great. If not, that's okay. Your devices have a microphone already built in. But they'll put their head inside of the box, and that would kind of help center that sound and block out any external noise the best that you can. It's kinda like your own little sound booth. If you wanted to make it even more fancy, you could add in some spongy layers as well to block out more noise. I would use my fabric cubes for a lot of different things all the time, and I love it because they can fold up and store really easily. So I did not do that with my cubes, but if you wanted to, sure, go for it.


Naomi Meredith [00:14:59]:

If you want to have microphones, like I said, you could invest in some external microphones or some external cameras. Just play external microphones or some external cameras. Just play around with different options, but you don't have to at all. When I did our school-wide video news, I just used the cameras on the laptops, and I love laptops actually for their cameras because the camera stays steady. The kids do not hold still when they are holding an iPad. It is not great. Even grown-ups have a whole hard time with this too. So, laptop cameras are perfect for the elementary space. I don't think you need to invest in anything fancy.


Naomi Meredith [00:15:36]:

Microphones are really handy. You can get those tiny microphones. Ours were hit or miss with our laptops, but I know it wasn't the microphones. It was actually the permissions and security that were on the devices, so that's why they didn't work. But those are options. If you had to pick between the 2, get microphones. If you do want to do green screens, I had these awesome pop-up green screens that I got for writing a grant, where it's on a tripod, and it has a t at the top. And then with the fabric, one side was blue, and one side was green.


Naomi Meredith [00:16:08]:

Both are really great. So I really loved having those, and then you can fold them up and store them when you are finished. During the whole video and audio unit, I had them up for, like, a month and a half. They were just sitting in the back of my room, and I even had one myself. I purchased one for my office, and I have it set up all the time because I'm a little lazy and don't feel like putting it away. It's actually really easy to put away, but I just leave it up all the time. So those are really, really awesome. I love them, but maybe you have a blue or green wall.


Naomi Meredith [00:16:38]:

I like the portable option, and I know there are some other options too that people have where I could move kids in the hallway if it was possible to record or in our library to try to spread them out. When we did our school-wide news, we did put them away at the end of class, so I showed kids that it was part of their responsibility to set up the tripod and also take it down. But, also, just something to keep in mind, you could use butcher paper or Dollar Tree green tablecloths if you really wanted to. Okay. So, I know I talked about the materials for a bit, but I know that's what people really worry about. Like, oh, I can't do it. I don't have anything fancy. It really wasn't that fancy, you guys.


Naomi Meredith [00:17:16]:

Like, I'm all about, like, let's use what we have. Let's keep it simple. If I don't have it, we don't have it. Maybe I'll write a grant. Maybe I won't. We're gonna use what we have. Okay? So, alright, what did they actually do in this STEMsational space unit? Kindergarten and 1st grade were very simple with our lessons, and I kinda I did about the same system and process for this. It took them about 1 to 2 days to create their videos, and then for the rest of the week, we did STEM stations.


Naomi Meredith [00:17:46]:

So I do have a whole workshop all about STEM stations if you wanna hear how I plan it. But in kindergarten, we talked about the sun and shade. Then, in 1st grade, we talked about day and night and the season. So, we did not do this video for the whole week. At the time of this recording, I didn't have the lessons in my TPT shop when it came to the actual video lessons. I do for STEM stations. But these were things that I actually beta-tested with my students, and it worked out great. In kindergarten, we talked about the sun and how it is important to Earth and how it brings us life, and, also, we also have to protect ourselves from the sun to stay safe.


Naomi Meredith [00:18:25]:

So we created our videos and our scripts about that. Then, in 1st grade, we talked about how the Earth orbits the sun and how it also determines how long the days are and the seasons. Students created props that were on popsicle sticks to help visually show their video, and then we also wrote the script together. Everybody's script was exactly the same because I wanted them to understand what a script was and how it is helpful for making their video. Then, in Seesaw, students took turns with the iPads and helped out their partner where they would read their script and then use the props to demonstrate what was happening. Their face could be on camera, or they could actually just hold the props in front. I show them both options because some kids are shy, so giving them options is okay. Both kinds of videos are a thing.


Naomi Meredith [00:19:21]:

But that was their video. And so so cute because they knew, oh, I messed up really bad. Let's try it again. And I said it's okay if you make mistakes, like, if you don't have to restart the whole thing. But it was really good for them to make a video that made sense and was on topic. In 2nd grade, we got into that green screen recording, and depending on the year, sometimes I would use the iPads and the Do Ink app. Once we got licenses for WeVideo, I actually switched to using WeVideo since I was able to use that, and I wanted students to have that experience. And 2nd graders were able to do it.


Naomi Meredith [00:20:00]:

So if you're worried about it, can a second grader use WeVideo? Yes. They were totally fine. Mind you, this is, like, more than halfway through the year, so they have more skills. But that's where I was at with those apps. For 2nd grade, they created a green screen video where they were telling us all about a natural disaster, what it is, where it typically happens, and how to stay safe. So I gave them all sorts of different research resources to pick their one natural disaster, and then they made that fun in informational video and had the pictures in their background changed based on when it happened in the script. In their script, there actually was a storyboard part where they would kinda sketch a picture of what they were looking for and how they would add that in their video. By the way, the lessons I'm talking about for 2nd through 5th grade are in my TPT shop, and so those will be linked in the show notes with all of the research resources, the scripts we used, and the whole process for that.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:02]:

In 3rd grade, we continued our work on the green screen because I wanted them to continue building up that skill and how to create that type of video, but they created a worldwide weather report. And it was a more not so much a meteorologist report, which most people do for their first green screen project, and that's a great project. Keep doing it. It's really relevant, and people still use that today. That's how weather videos are made. But I wanted it to be more like a travel video and more informational about what is the weather and climate in different locations in the world and what you need to pack when you go there at different times of the year. So when you actually have this lesson in your classroom, I will give you my examples of the video. And this one is really fun because I do like to travel, so I made a video that was really bad on purpose of me in Costa Rica, and so I talked about that.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:57]:

The picture in the background is actually from when I was there. And then I made a really good example of what it could be. So, it's more like a travel video and that information, and again, using those different research resources to help them create their script. There also are places for these older students, second and up, where they don't have to do the video by themselves. They actually determine who is saying what part, and I teach them too to create clips where you don't have to record the video all in one set. You can actually break it up into chunks and merge those together. And, yes, even 2nd graders are able to do this. So, actually, that's a better way to make a video.


Naomi Meredith [00:22:36]:

When I do this podcast, I do pause and do little chunks, or if I mess up, I say it again. So, it's the same kinda thing, I pitch that to my students. In 4th grade, we change the style of the video that they are creating. So we start with kindergarten and 1st grade, where they are using props, like physical props, to create their video. Then we have 2nd and third grade, where they are talking to the camera in front of the green screen. And then, in 4th grade, I wanted them to change it up where they're creating a video that has animations, pictures, and video clips and has audio on top of it. So their face isn't necessarily shown in this video, but I wanted them to learn these skills. So, when you think about this unit as a whole, there is a progression of learning in just the type of video that they are creating.


Naomi Meredith [00:23:27]:

There is a method to the madness when you see it as a whole picture. This was really interesting because we were talking about ways to take care of the Earth, but also really, in a bigger form, outside of the Earth. We talked about space junk or space trash and how we are not only polluting our Earth but also the orbit around it. So we learned all about that. So the kids were super interested in that. Then they created an informational video to teach others about what space junk is, why it is a problem, and what possible solutions are out there or their ideas on how to solve it. So this is really cool to help them show those researching tools, not only in how to research about the topic but also finding images that would relate to the topic to help explain and make it engaging for their audience. And moving into 5th grade, taking those skills that they have learned throughout the years, or if you're starting it off fresh, that's okay too. And 5th graders created a short, tiny podcast, only a few minutes long.


Naomi Meredith [00:24:29]:

It's not that long. However, they created a short podcast to take on the role of a citizen scientist to teach others about what light pollution is. What is light pollution? Why is it a problem? And what are some ways that you can help solve it? So similar questions to Space Junk, different topic. This one was really cool, too, how we were analyzing podcasts, and they created the style of podcast that they wanted. Then, they started learning how to overlay music and make that exciting and interesting as well. So you actually get to hear some of those examples when you grab this lesson and also the resources. And honestly, I didn't even know what light pollution was. And, like, you know what it is.


Naomi Meredith [00:25:12]:

We didn't think about it until I got my master's in STEM leadership. And this actually sparked a lot of this unit. While I was in this program, I had to create a lesson. So I actually created this lesson during my masters, and then, in turn, it helped inspire the whole sensational space. As a recap, here is what we chatted about in this episode to help you wrap around your mind when it comes to video and audio production and merging it in the STEM space. So, I shared with you all about the origin of Sensational space and where it all came from. Next, we talked about ways to set up this unit, specifically when it comes to video and audio production in your classroom. Then, I talked through the different types of lessons that you can do with your students.


Naomi Meredith [00:26:02]:

Everything that you need is linked in the show notes that you can find in my TPT shop, Naomi Meredith, where all the research is done for you and uses the whole engineering design process, and you get examples of those videos. If you are looking for more ways to learn about video and audio production and then get it into your school as a whole with news, I invite you to join my school-wide video news workshop. And then, over on my kid podcast, the STEM Career Quest podcast, we are going to have some guests coming up. So if you're listening to this episode live, who work in the space industry and space and flight industry, you can hear more about their amazing STEM jobs. Thank you so much for being here, and I'll see you in the next episode.

video editing lessons for kids

 

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

 

Connect with Naomi Meredith:

 

More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there. 

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

More About The Elementary STEM Coach Podcast

Are you tired of scrolling online for your next great STEM lesson? Do you feel like there is no time to plan, research and test meaningful STEM lessons, so you throw together a hands-on activity and hope that it works? What systems and routines should you set in place to help students be creative, critically think, and collaborate? 

The Elementary STEM Coach is a podcast for K-5 STEM teachers, classroom teachers, GT specialists, and homeschool parents looking for actionable STEM solutions. Each week, Naomi Meredith will share tools, resources and lesson ideas that are actionable in your classroom and create highly engaging experiences with your students. You’ll learn systems and routines that will create control in the chaos and that will keep you organized all year long. 

Your mindless scrolling days are over! Your new STEM-best friend is now here in your ear buds!

software engineer at NASA Goddard

Coding the Cosmos: Behind the Scenes with Software Engineer at NASA Goddard, Aaron Shepard [ep.4]

by Naomi Meredith

Coding the Cosmos: Behind the Scenes with Software Engineer at NASA Goddard, Aaron Shepard [ep.4]

software engineer at NASA Goddard

Check out the full episode on Coding the Cosmos: Behind the Scenes with Software Engineer at NASA Goddard, Aaron Shepard  

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

Episode Summary

Hey, my little Questies! Today’s STEM career quest takes us far, far away into outer space! Now I have a question for you: Did you know that just like Earth orbits or moves around the sun, there are telescopes that orbit Earth? These special telescopes require a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure they work correctly. It takes careful planning, communication, and coding, all done from Earth!

To tell us more about these amazing telescopes, we will hear from Aaron Shepard, a software engineer at NASA Goddard. Aaron uses his software engineering skills in computer science to build projects, solve problems, do coding, and so much more! This episode is full of so many fun facts that I know Questies like you will think are out of this world! Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about what it’s like to be a software engineer at NASA Goddard.

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

Want more ways to enhance your podcast listening experience? 

Click HERE to join our STEM Career Quest Club!

Inside you get access to

  • a private community of other STEM Career Quest listeners
  • comprehension guides for each episode
  • teaching slides for each episode where it is broken up into chunks so you can listen in smaller segments
  • related STEM activities you can complete with with simple materials
  • one monthly virtual STEM field trip

And more!

software engineer at NASA Goddard

 

Meet Aaron Shephard:

Aaron Shepard first fell in love with science while watching astronauts blast off in the Space Shuttle. He dreamed of one day building cool technology while floating in a lab in space. Aaron was devastated to hear NASA announce the end of the Shuttle program during his freshman year of high school. Fearing that the space age was coming to an end, he decided to “grow up” and pursue a more realistic career.

After briefly attending medical school, Aaron decided to chase his childhood dream of working in the space industry. He graduated from Clemson University in 2022 and has since joined the Flight Dynamics team at NASA Goddard as a contractor (a.i. Solutions). Aaron currently develops orbital tracking procedures for the Roman Space Telescope which is scheduled to launch in 2026.

Since changing career paths, Aaron has become an active contributor in the aerospace and science outreach communities. As a lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, Aaron has worked with thousands of students through outreach initiatives and public speaking.

Connect with Aaron: 

See a Software Engineer at NASA Goddard in Action:

software engineer at NASA Goddard
NASA Goddard Software Engineer, Aaron Shepard, working with students in a STEM outreach program.

software engineer at NASA Goddard

software engineer at NASA Goddard

software engineer at NASA Goddard

software engineer at NASA Goddard

software engineer at NASA Goddard

 

More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there.

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

Connect with the Host, Naomi Meredith:

More About The STEM Career Quest Podcast

Have you ever found yourself asking this question… “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Maybe you already have an answer to that, maybe you don’t.

Both are ok!

Welcome to the “STEM Career Quest” podcast! A show made for kids like you to help you build your dreams, or even find new ones, in science, technology, engineering and math. Each week, hear captivating stories and interviews to explore the exciting world of STEM. Oh! And grown-ups and teachers, you can listen too!

We’ll talk to experts in STEM who are passionate about what they do in the real-world and how they make a positive impact in their careers. Created and hosted by K-5 STEM Coach, Naomi Meredith, this show will spark your imagination and passions.

Join us each week on our quest to explore the possibilities of careers in STEM, one episode at a time.

why STEM is important for students

Why STEM is Important for Students with Tiffani Teachey [ep.148]

by Naomi Meredith

Why STEM is Important for Students with Tiffani Teachey [ep.148]

why STEM is important for students

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Episode Summary

We always hear how STEM is important and the importance of STEM in schools. Whether you’re a teacher or a parent, you know STEM is important for kids. The real question is, why is STEM important for students? What impact does STEM have on children’s education? That’s what we’re talking about today. In today’s episode, I chat with Tiffani Teachey, who wears many hats, including Sr. Mechanical Engineer, STEM advocate, and TEDx international speaker, to name a few. Tiffani shares so many great insights into why STEM is important for kids and how you can encourage student engagement in STEM.

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why STEM is important for students
  • Tiffani’s STEM education journey
  • How Tiffani inspires kids to pursue a career in STEM
  • How to encourage student engagement in STEM

Resources Mentioned:

Some items are linked to my Amazon Affiliate account. When you purchase through my link, there is no added cost to you, but I receive a small commission in return.

Meet Tiffani Teachey:

Tiffani Teachey is a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) advocate, TEDx international speaker, and international best-selling author of the children's book What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z, the STEM Crew Kids Adventures series, and three transformative books on women's empowerment and entrepreneurship. She is the host of the Read It Right Radio Show on WDRBmedia and also host of the Engineering Management Institute (EMI) Women in Engineering Podcast. She is the founder of STEM Crew Magazine. Tiffani is the owner of Thrive Edge Publishing and the owner and publishing consultant of Inspired Authors Publishing. She helps underrepresented industry and business leaders publish children's books about their field to inspire children to choose the same path.

Tiffani holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, as well as a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management, both from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is a Leadership Studies Ph.D. student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

As an engineer with over 19 years of experience, Tiffani is very interested in getting young people interested in STEM careers. She was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and enjoys traveling and being a youth mentor.

Connect with Tiffani:

Episode Transcript: 

Naomi Meredith [00:00:00]:

We always hear about why STEM is important. Whether you are a teacher, an educator, or a parent, you are here listening to this podcast because you keep hearing about why STEM is important and why we need to teach it. But, really, why? Why is it important? Today, I am speaking with a guest who actually works in the STEM field as a senior mechanical engineer. Our guest also educates children about the possibilities in STEM, and she sees it currently in her real job and when she is doing her various projects and outreach as to why STEM is important. It is our future that is where we are going, and she sees it each and every day. Today, I am speaking with Tiffani Teachey, who wears many different hats in the various projects and outreach that she does in the STEM education field. Outside of her role as a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, which influences all the many amazing things that she does, Tiffani does so many things to help us in the STEM education space. She is a STEM advocate, a TEDx speaker, a radio show host, an international children's book author, the STEM Crew Magazine founder, and a publishing company founder.


Naomi Meredith [00:01:31]:

Make sure you check out the show notes for this episode and read her full bio to see all of the amazing things that she is doing. I appreciate her work ethic and all the possibilities and ways that she is positively influencing STEM education. So definitely go see what she is working on because it's absolutely amazing and also helpful to give you the resources that you need to be successful in this elementary STEM space. Also, you're gonna be hearing more from Tiffani over on my kid podcast in a little bit, the STEM Career Quest podcast, where she is going to be talking to kids more about her role as a Sr. Mechanical Engineer. So I can't wait for you to hear the teacher and educator's side of her experiences and why STEM education is important. And then, in a few weeks, go and check out the STEM Career Quest podcast when she's on there. You can go check it out now. Totally fine.


Naomi Meredith [00:02:30]:

But, go check out her episode when that comes out because what she has to say is really powerful and influential for our kids. I really enjoyed my conversation with Tiffani, and I know you are too. So, let's jump into this episode. Well, thank you, Tiffani, so much for being here today.


Naomi Meredith [00:03:22]:

We connected over on Instagram, and I think you had a giveaway going on. And someone told me about you. And then you and I started chatting, and I was on your radio show. And I'm like, you need to be on my podcast. So we've connected past in a lot of ways, and then I'm sure many more, but thank you so much for being here.


Tiffani Teachey [00:03:39]:

Thank you so much for having me. Yes. I'm so glad we've connected.


Naomi Meredith [00:03:42]:

Yeah. Me too. And if you guys watch the video version, she has the cutest background, with books behind her. Are those your books or a combination of others?


Tiffani Teachey [00:03:51]:

These are my books. These are mine. But I do I do have my clients’ books, but these are mine up here.


Naomi Meredith [00:03:56]:

I love that. You're gonna have to tell us about your books because I love a good STEM book, and they're for kids. Yes. So we'll chat more about it, but it's such a perfect background. We might as well show off your work.


Tiffani Teachey [00:04:08]:

Yeah. There you go.


Naomi Meredith [00:04:10]:

So with your background as an engineer, you also do so much when it comes to helping kids in STEM. So how did you get into this space of combining your engineering background and inspiring kids? How did that all happen?


Tiffani Teachey [00:04:28]:

Right. Okay. So getting into the engineering background, initially, I wanted to be a lawyer, and so I thought I could debate and do all that. But my parents, my mom was an educator, and my dad was an entrepreneur. They had my brother and me, he's also an engineer. He's a civil engineer. I'm a mechanical engineer. But, he had us go into STEM.


Tiffani Teachey [00:04:44]:

They had us go into a math and science Saturday academy. So every Saturday, we go sit there. So from there, I learned about how engineering was about problem-solving, and critical thinking. And then also in those math classes, I was asking questions and everything too. And so and then my dad had a client who was a civil engineer. He said you might need to get your kids into engineering. So that's called social capital. And then from being a part of the programs of the Saturday programs, that was what got us into, wanting to do engineering.


Tiffani Teachey [00:05:13]:

So fast forward to knowing that it's a male-dominated field, knowing that, you know, representation matters in this field, I would go and talk to the kids and, you know, they always want us engineers to become teachers love when we come in come in and talk


Naomi Meredith [00:05:26]:

to the kids.


Tiffani Teachey [00:05:26]:

And so when we come and talk to them, I would go and say, how many men are engineering? Not many hands go up. And so after doing hands on activities, after, you know, doing the talk about how engineering is fun, I would say how many men in engineering. So all hands should go up. And it was that moment, that pivotal moment, where I said, okay, I need to put this in writing. These kids need to learn about STEM careers. And so, hence, why I was able to say, let's connect through writing a book and getting these kids exposed to STEM.


Naomi Meredith [00:05:53]:

I love that so much. And you are absolutely right because I have seen the same exact thing, and that's why we're collaborating because, like, I say the same thing. And when I was a teacher, I hosted a STEM career day, because kids need to see themselves in STEM jobs. You've read the studies, I'm sure. And you being in the field, you see, like, the actual facts, which is really sad how, just that underrepresentation. So we need to expose kids when they're young. Yeah. We can't wait until middle school and high school, and you've seen it firsthand.


Naomi Meredith [00:06:28]:

And now you're creating resources for the kids.


Tiffani Teachey [00:06:30]:

Yeah.


Naomi Meredith [00:06:31]:

What are some of the books that you've created? Because we have a bunch, but what are some of the ones that you've done?


Tiffani Teachey [00:06:38]:

Well, that first one was an alphabet book. So I kept it simple, you know, trying to be all creative. I said no, and I'm not even gonna try to rhyme and do all that. I stayed in my lane. I learned to stay in the lane. And so the first book was, what can I be STEM careers who make disease? That rhymes, but that was about it. And so like it has different careers in STEM, starting with an astronaut. And I didn't just do engineering.


Tiffani Teachey [00:06:57]:

I said I wanted all different careers. So, that was my first book back in 2019. And so I've been rolling since with the color and activity book to Spanish, French, Swahili, and Italian translations for the book. And so then I said, okay, I need to start. And then, I have a journal and a teacher's guide. I have a teacher's guide with it, too. But then I said, okay. I need to start writing the storyline.


Tiffani Teachey [00:07:17]:

So, I have the STEM Crew Kids Adventures series. And so they're building up a little powered car. And so also next month after this is coming up is the building of a magical spaceship. And so now the STEM crew kids that's in the, you know, initial book are now doing different activities. And so they get to learn about teamwork and working together. And so those are many of the different, yeah, types of books I've been able to spin off with and be able to get out there for resources.


Naomi Meredith [00:07:44]:

I love that. I'm gonna have to read the alphabet one to get ideas for my STEM Career Quest podcast because there are a lot of STEM jobs I haven't heard of. And I was a STEM teacher, so it was different where I don't have a STEM background in a STEM field. I have a master's in STEM. Completely different. So I'm gonna have to read your book


Tiffani Teachey [00:08:03]:

to get some ideas


Naomi Meredith [00:08:05]:

for some jobs. But I know teachers are going to love that because STEM teachers and classroom teachers are always looking for those connections in different ways to incorporate literacy into their STEM blocks. So we'll link all of your books in the show notes for sure because we're always looking for those resources. So, with you being in STEM, you know it's important, but, like, we should talk about it a little, but why do you think kids need to know about this? So we know the jobs are important, but why else do they need to learn about STEM?


Tiffani Teachey [00:08:40]:

I mean, STEM is everywhere. And when I talk to the kids, I'm like, you know that when you wake up in the morning, some type of STEM career has played a role with this. And because there are so many jobs, there are so many unfulfilled jobs in STEM, you've gotta start early, and these kids gotta get exposed early. So it's just letting them know by hands-on activities, going to do different, you know, visits, going to do a job shadow. I tell the parents a lot of times, take a kid if they wanna be a veterinarian, maybe go have them. If they have a pet, go for days, job shadow them for a day so they can see and learn about those careers and they can start early with that. And so it's just letting the kids know you are making a difference. Why I got into it? Because I knew I'd be challenged.


Tiffani Teachey [00:09:22]:

So kids know that they can make a difference with the work that they're doing with STEM. And that's why I try to share the importance of it because everything we do somewhere, somebody has tapped into it that's in a STEM career. And because the jobs are out there, why not take advantage of being a part of it? And so that's why I say kids should be a part of STEM because it's you're making a difference, and I think that's ultimately it.


Naomi Meredith [00:09:44]:

Absolutely. And do you see that in your job? Like, with you being an engineer during the day, do you see that there are a lot of unfulfilled roles? Is that something they talk about or the trend? Yes.


Tiffani Teachey [00:09:57]:

I mean, the numbers are out there. I've seen where it's 35,000,000 jobs that are out there, unfulfilled jobs for STEM. The statistics are out there. It's just getting in those positions, going, you know, going to school, doing the internships, that really helps with your resume. I tell you that I pushed that a lot, too. I had 3 or 4 different types of internships, but it let me know career wise. So even starting before you go into the job, get those internships, and it lets you know what you wanna do and what you do not wanna do. And so I pushed that a lot with trying to decide if there are STEM jobs out there.


Tiffani Teachey [00:10:28]:

Yes. They're out there but go ahead, getting your go and starting early, getting exposure that helps build your resume to get into those positions as well.


Naomi Meredith [00:10:38]:

It's so true. You do have to experience it. We have a school near me, and it's not a trade school, but it's like an option with, like, electives in high school where the kids can actually try out different, they call them pathways. Mhmm. So some of them are a trade where they do actually, do some mechanical engineering on air local airplanes.


Tiffani Teachey [00:11:00]:

Mhmm.


Naomi Meredith [00:11:01]:

Some do some nursing type of things. Some are, like, doing cybersecurity.


Tiffani Teachey [00:11:04]:

Yeah.


Naomi Meredith [00:11:05]:

But they always talk about, like, because they are partnering with local businesses, a lot of them can get jobs right out of high school if it's that type of job. But, also, like you were saying, maybe you don't really like blood. Let's say you're doing the nursing pathway.


Tiffani Teachey [00:11:21]:

That was not my field. I said I knew it was not going into health care. I said I'm, you know, that I said I'm not trying to see all that. So I knew, yeah, that wasn't it for me.


Naomi Meredith [00:11:29]:

Yeah. Right? And so you're, like, not spending all this money. Like, oh, I'm not this isn't for me. I wasted 3 years of college, and I can't do this anymore, which is fine, but we like, that exposure the younger they argue. Little kids are always thinking about what they wanna be when they grow. We ask them all the time. That's a kindergarten question when they graduate. What do you wanna be when you grow up?


Tiffani Teachey [00:11:51]:

And they're like, woah. I wanna be this, so I wanna be that. Just like I thought I'd be a lawyer. Thought I could debate Yeah. Do all that. But, no, that wasn't my calling for that. So okay.


Naomi Meredith [00:12:00]:

Yeah. I mean, I do I wanna be a teacher, but also, who would have thought in kindergarten I was gonna be a podcaster? Like, did I say that? No.


Tiffani Teachey [00:12:10]:

No. Not at all. Either.


Naomi Meredith [00:12:12]:

Yeah. Right? So, like, there's even, like, you know, there are jobs out there that are going to be in the future that doesn't exist, but all of the skills that they are doing now, like, the problem-solving you talked about, the collaborating, That is so important because whatever job you choose, you need to be a good employee.


Tiffani Teachey [00:12:31]:

Right. And that's where soft skills play a role with it. I see a lot of presentation skills. I mean, those are key things. I tell the kids when I'm talking to them, I'm like, okay, what classes are needed? Math and science, but do not forget English and writing. You cannot forget these things because you gotta have these skills. You do the research, but how will you relate that research that you did? You gotta be able to present it. You gotta be able to write it.


Tiffani Teachey [00:12:54]:

So, I also incorporate that when I talk to the kids. So, not just math and science, but English is just as important as well. So


Naomi Meredith [00:13:01]:

Yeah. It is. It's all connected. Even when I talk to teachers that, like, planning STEM lessons, I just talked to a teacher, and they're all, oh, well, STEM isn't reading and writing. Right? And I said no.


Tiffani Teachey [00:13:13]:

It is.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:13]:

Like, your face. If you guys see Tiffani's face, your eyes got really big when I said that.


Tiffani Teachey [00:13:19]:

Because I'm like, I mean, I have to do it for work. Every day, we've gotta relate a message. We have to be able to present. You've gotta be able to say what is going on. So, reading and writing are definitely important.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:30]:

I know. Oh, oh, no. No. No. Like, it is all of that. Like, I know it's not in the name, but it's what you need to do I'm all the kids research. They're researching for the project. They have to write how they're gonna plan, what went well, what didn't, and collect data.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:46]:

Gotcha.


Tiffani Teachey [00:13:46]:

Gotcha. And so Yeah.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:49]:

Like, no. No. It's everything. So, even if you're not a STEM teacher, you don't have to be. And that's actually really common. I teach some STEM field trips. Actually, why we rescheduled because of that STEM field trip. But I teach them, STEM field trips, in my community, and it's so interesting, Tiffani, that most schools do not have STEM, and they don't know what it is.


Naomi Meredith [00:14:11]:

And I yeah. They don't even know what it is because I'm, like, hey. What's STEM? And I can tell like, that's my first question. And when we do these hands-on projects, it is so clear. Even if they didn't tell me they didn't have STEM, I know that they don't have STEM because the way kids are talking to each other, the ones who do not have it give up a lot faster


Tiffani Teachey [00:14:31]:

Yes.


Naomi Meredith [00:14:31]:

They fight more. They don't collaborate well. They draw, like, if we're doing, like, a planning for a project, they'll draw one way and just sit there. They won't think of anything else.


Tiffani Teachey [00:14:42]:

Know the options. Yeah.


Naomi Meredith [00:14:43]:

Mhmm. And that's the same yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Go ahead.


Tiffani Teachey [00:14:47]:

No. That's it. I mean, the thing is failure, I mean, the whole fixing it, testing it out, you know, going through that that's the whole design process we talk about with, definitely with the engineering design process of knowing you create it, you brainstorm, you go through the whole process, but how do you fix it and how does it make it work? A lot of times, it doesn't work the first time. So those are things, you know, that play a role in it. So when you said that, I had to at least emphasize that piece.


Naomi Meredith [00:15:11]:

It's so true. And you see it in your job, and you teach the kids, like, you know. And I see it, too. And I saw it when I first started when I was in my STEM space, I saw the same thing. And so, like, reiterating those skills, it takes practice. It's not gonna be an overnight thing. It took 5 years for my students to get to where they were in the beginning and at the end, and it needs to keep going. And so even if you don't have a STEM teacher or if you're not a STEM teacher, you still need to do these types of things Mhmm.


Naomi Meredith [00:15:39]:

Because you're actually doing it this service for your students. Like, you don't have to have a background in it. We have both of us together. Tiffani and I Tiffani and I have everything for you to get sort started.


Tiffani Teachey [00:15:50]:

Yes. We sure do.


Naomi Meredith [00:15:53]:

So, speaking of that, you talked about your bugs. Do you have any fun projects going on or what are outside of your or it could be your regular job too, but what are some things you have going on in the STEM world?


Tiffani Teachey [00:16:04]:

Well, I do I mean, as far as different, I'm I make sure that there's opportunities. So I've done STEM Magazine. So, oh, STEM Crew Magazine. That's one thing as far as not just the books, but now I've got STEM Trailblazers. So now I've reached out to other STEM Trailblazers and have them in there. And then I have like 5 activities in each of the magazines where they can do different hands-on activities in it. And then of course contributing articles. So yeah, the STEM Crew Magazine, is another one of my parts of the journey of getting the message out there.


Tiffani Teachey [00:16:33]:

And yeah, the sky's the limit. I'm always going on different platforms and talk, talking on different platforms, to make sure to message out there. Like I was able to do TEDx, in South Africa, University of South Africa. So, just getting the message out there, those are some of my projects, and I'm always making sure that the message is out there about the importance of STEM, especially with our kids.


Naomi Meredith [00:16:52]:

How do you get connected with schools? How do you go to schools, or do you do them virtually? How do you do all that?


Tiffani Teachey [00:16:59]:

Combination. I they said I get asked all the time. So often, their support with the books is like, okay, we want to get these books into the schools. And so, of course, you get the bulk sales with the schools. We're getting asked to, been able to go and talk to the kids. And so I'm able to do reading, book reading, so virtually or either, you know, in person type of activities that's been involved with us. So, yeah, it's a combination. So, Yeah, definitely.


Tiffani Teachey [00:17:22]:

I've always done where I've done talks to the parents. I've done those types of talks, not just to the kids, but to the parents of the kids. I've had those types of sessions where we talk and try to get them engaged with it as well. As far as activities, as far as not just for the kids, I also have a playbook that's coming out, a STEM playbook. The STEM playbook is gonna be where not just, you know, for the schools, but parents and families can now have different activities that they can look at for the kids as well. So, yeah, they're getting into the schools. I'm constantly getting into the schools to get the message out there for the kids as well.


Naomi Meredith [00:17:55]:

Absolutely. We need a lot of people in the line because there are so many kids out there. We need a lot of us help influencing. And if you guys wanna hear Tiffani talk to kids. Actually you're gonna hear this episode before the other one, but Tiffani's gonna be a guest on the STEM Career Quest podcast, so you will get to hear her style chatting with the kids. So Yeah. You'll we were gonna record that after this episode.


Tiffani Teachey [00:18:23]:

Love it.


Naomi Meredith [00:18:23]:

Love it. And so you've talked about it, like, getting the parents in excited, but is there, like, if someone doesn't know or get started or if there's, like, a big takeaway, what advice do you have for teachers and parents who might be hesitant, trying anything in STEM? It might sound overwhelming.


Tiffani Teachey [00:18:43]:

Mhmm.


Naomi Meredith [00:18:43]:

What advice do you have for them?


Tiffani Teachey [00:18:46]:

Well, my advice is don't get discouraged, even if you don't know. You can do a lot of stuff even at home. There are things at home, and it's just getting your kids to start being that inquisitive, asking questions, getting them, I say just that that's the start. Do some hands-on activities and find some materials. Now, let's build something and work together. I think that's key, and just getting the questions start stimulating their minds. I think that's a great start. And then, like I said, the different field trips, the different going to a museum, going to different, you know, natures out here.


Tiffani Teachey [00:19:19]:

There are so many opportunities, not just inside, but you can also outside. So I would say just get started and if you don't know, there are a lot of resources online. And by the way, I can't give a free resource, 10 STEM Scholarships to Organizations. I've looked up and researched, www.stem is the way dot com. And so there are so many resources, and that's a good start. If you can get some organizations where there's definitely a Society of Women in Engineers, there's the National Society of Engineers. There are so many professional organizations that if you look them up online, look up different engineering or STEM organizations. They probably have some volunteer opportunities or mentoring opportunities that you can also get started.


Naomi Meredith [00:19:58]:

That's really good advice. I haven't heard about some of those resources, so we'll link all of that because that's why we're so lucky with the Internet. Like, there's no excuse not to get started. Yes. So with that, where you have a lot of different places, but where can teachers find and connect with you and, learn all the things they're doing in STEM?


Tiffani Teachey [00:20:21]:

I'm pointing them to 1, just like I just mentioned. And then from that point, we'll be able to allow them to connect because then it'll show the books and all that. So www.stemistheway.com. Go there, and then get to get you where you can get free gift of 10 STEM scholarships to organizations, and then it'll connect you to where you can also get the books and everything. And you'll learn more about me and everything I'm doing.


Naomi Meredith [00:20:45]:

And you guys, she has a full-time job. She's doing all of this. So you're a busy lady, Tiffani. I get it. I get get it.


Tiffani Teachey [00:20:53]:

And I'm also getting my PhD. I'm also getting my PhD as well. Yeah. That's another I get it. Yeah. Yeah. I'm almost finished, but yes, I'm getting my Ph.D., in the leadership studies program for applying A and T. My undergrad is in mechanical engineering and engineering management from Winston-Charlotte.


Tiffani Teachey [00:21:08]:

But I also am getting his PhD as well, full-time job as well as the business itself. Yeah.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:12]:

You go, girl. I'm I'm rooting for you. That is awesome. I appreciate that so much. Like, from one hard worker to another, I get you. I totally understand. That's great. Well, you guys heard it here first.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:28]:

There's no excuse. You guys got this. We're here for you, and we appreciate all of your insight, Tiffani, and all the amazing things that you're doing to impact STEM Education.


Tiffani Teachey [00:21:39]:

Thank you. Thank you so much for having me.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:41]:

Thanks.

why STEM is important for students

 

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More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there. 

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

More About The Elementary STEM Coach Podcast

Are you tired of scrolling online for your next great STEM lesson? Do you feel like there is no time to plan, research and test meaningful STEM lessons, so you throw together a hands-on activity and hope that it works? What systems and routines should you set in place to help students be creative, critically think, and collaborate? 

The Elementary STEM Coach is a podcast for K-5 STEM teachers, classroom teachers, GT specialists, and homeschool parents looking for actionable STEM solutions. Each week, Naomi Meredith will share tools, resources and lesson ideas that are actionable in your classroom and create highly engaging experiences with your students. You’ll learn systems and routines that will create control in the chaos and that will keep you organized all year long. 

Your mindless scrolling days are over! Your new STEM-best friend is now here in your ear buds!

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Fingerprints and Fibers: Behind the Scenes with Forensic Scientist Kelly Knight [ep.3]

by Naomi Meredith

Fingerprints and Fibers: Behind the Scenes with Forensic Scientist Kelly Knight [ep.3]

forensic scientist

Check out the full episode on Fingerprints and Fibers: Behind the Scenes with Forensic Scientist Kelly Knight  

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

 

Episode Summary

All right, my Questies, we’re back for another STEM Quest! Now, I have a question for you. Have you ever eaten a yummy chocolate chip cookie and got melted chocolate all over your fingers? What happens when you touch something with your chocolate covered fingers? Your fingerprints get all over whatever you touch! Our fingerprints are so special because no one else in the world has them. 

On today’s STEM quest, we will be taken into the world of fingerprints, hair samples, and DNA and how they are used to help solve crimes with forensic scientist Kelly Knight. We will get to learn all about the cool things Kelly gets to do as a forensic DNA scientist and why she decided she wanted to study fingerprints and DNA for a living. This episode is full of fun facts that I know Questies like you will love! Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about the world of forensic science.

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Click HERE to join our STEM Career Quest Club!

Inside you get access to

  • a private community of other STEM Career Quest listeners
  • comprehension guides for each episode
  • teaching slides for each episode where it is broken up into chunks so you can listen in smaller segments
  • related STEM activities you can complete with with simple materials
  • one monthly virtual STEM field trip

And more!

Get the listening comprehension guides and teaching slides for this episode as a set HERE or get them inside of the STEM Career Quest club HERE

 

Meet Kelly Knight:

Kelly Knight is an associate professor with the George Mason University Forensic Science Program and a STEM Accelerator. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in forensic DNA and forensic chemistry and is also the principal investigator of the forensic DNA laboratory. As a STEM Accelerator, she guides and mentors undergraduate students in the Forensic Science Program and coordinates K-12 STEM outreach including the Females of Color and those Underrepresented in STEM summer programs for middle and high school girls.

Prof. Knight obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in chemistry from The George Washington University in 2006 and her Masters of Forensic Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2008. She is currently completing her doctoral degree in Science Education Research program.

Her career in forensics began in 2005 as a DNA technician for the Bode Technology DNA laboratory. She then worked in the Dawson Cruz forensic biology laboratory as a research associate and laboratory manager while completing her studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduating from VCU, Professor Knight worked for years as a forensic DNA analyst with the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division in the forensic biology technical unit. As a part of the technical unit, she processed casework, performed research and validation, trained other forensic biologists, and was involved in quality assurance and quality control.

Having qualified as an expert in both forensic serology and forensic DNA analysis, Prof. Knight has testified in several court trials involving crimes such as homicides and sexual assaults. At some point between testifying in court and leading tours as the laboratory tour coordinator, Prof. Knight discovered her love for teaching. She realized how passionate she was about sharing the science she loved with others. This passion inspired her to begin her career as an adjunct professor while still working for the Maryland State Police.

Prof. Knight enjoys staying involved in the forensic science community and has remained active in professional organizations since beginning her education in forensic science. She has served as the biology section chair for the Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists twice and was promoted to the rank of Fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 2020.

Connect with Kelly Knight: 

 

See a Forensic Scientist in Action:

forensic scientist
Forensic Scientist, Kelly Knight, conducting tests in the lab.

 

forensic scientist
Kelly drilling a bone in the lab.

forensic scientist

forensic scientist

forensic scientist

More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there.

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

Connect with the Host, Naomi Meredith:

More About The STEM Career Quest Podcast

Have you ever found yourself asking this question… “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Maybe you already have an answer to that, maybe you don’t.

Both are ok!

Welcome to the “STEM Career Quest” podcast! A show made for kids like you to help you build your dreams, or even find new ones, in science, technology, engineering and math. Each week, hear captivating stories and interviews to explore the exciting world of STEM. Oh! And grown-ups and teachers, you can listen too!

We’ll talk to experts in STEM who are passionate about what they do in the real-world and how they make a positive impact in their careers. Created and hosted by K-5 STEM Coach, Naomi Meredith, this show will spark your imagination and passions.

Join us each week on our quest to explore the possibilities of careers in STEM, one episode at a time.

entomologists

It’s a Bug Life: Behind the Scenes with Entomologists Kristie Reddick & Jessica Honaker [ep.2]

by Naomi Meredith

It's a Bug Life: Behind the Scenes with Entomologists Kristie Reddick & Jessica Honaker [ep.2]

entomologists

Check out the full episode on It's a Bug Life: Behind the Scenes with Entomologists Kristie Reddick & Jessica Honaker  

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

Episode Summary

Hey, Questies! We are embarking on our very first STEM Career Quest. We are diving into the tiny yet magnificent world of insects with The Bug Chicks, Kristie Reddick and Jessica Honnaker. Kristie and Jessica are entomologists, which means they study bugs.

On today's quest, we are taken behind the scenes of what entomologists actually do. We also get to hear about some of the fun adventures Kristie and Jessica have had with their bug friends and about some of the cool bugs they get to work with as entomologists. This episode is full of interesting and fun facts – a perfect quest for questies like you to learn all about a bug's life. Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about the world of insects!

 

Want more ways to enhance your podcast listening experience? 

Click HERE to join our STEM Career Quest Club!

Inside you get access to 

  • a private community of other STEM Career Quest listeners
  • comprehension guides for each episode
  • teaching slides for each episode where it is broken up into chunks so you can listen in smaller segments
  • related STEM activities you can complete with simple materials
  • one monthly virtual STEM field trip

And more!

entomologists

Get this set of comprehension guides for FREE here

 

Meet Kristie Reddick & Jessica Honaker, The Bug Chicks:

Kristie Reddick and Jessica Honaker are The Bug Chicks – entomologists, educators and scicomm professionals who work at the intersection of STEM and social-emotional learning. They teach about the incredible world of arthropods and specialize in using these incredible animals as a vehicle to help people foster empathy for themselves, others and the natural world. They are the creators and developers of the DIFFERENT: STEM + SEL curriculum, an award-winning, evidence-based program aimed at creating a positive mindset shift in students. They received their Master’s degrees from Texas A&M University. Kristie’s research focused on the biodiversity and biology of solifuge arachnids and Jessica’s work focused on the effects of blackmargined aphids in agroecosystems.

 

Connect with The Bug Chicks: 

See an Entomologist in Action:

entomologists

 

 

 

 

More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there. 

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

Connect with the Host, Naomi Meredith:

More About The STEM Career Quest Podcast

Have you ever found yourself asking this question… “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Maybe you already have an answer to that, maybe you don’t.

Both are ok!

Welcome to the “STEM Career Quest” podcast! A show made for kids like you to help you build your dreams, or even find new ones, in science, technology, engineering and math. Each week, hear captivating stories and interviews to explore the exciting world of STEM. Oh! And grown-ups and teachers, you can listen too!

We’ll talk to experts in STEM who are passionate about what they do in the real-world and how they make a positive impact in their careers. Created and hosted by K-5 STEM Coach, Naomi Meredith, this show will spark your imagination and passions.

Join us each week on our quest to explore the possibilities of careers in STEM, one episode at a time.