STEMTech Co. Navigator Feature: Lisa Yaker

STENTech Co. Navigator Feature: Lisa Yaker

STEMTech Co. Navigators are teacher representatives for Naomi Meredith’s brand. These educators are here to help other teachers all over the world navigate STEM & Technology in their K-5 classrooms. They have the opportunity to implement and use STEM and technology lessons sent monthly, created by Naomi Meredith.

To learn more about this program and to apply, click here.

In this post, we will learn more about fellow Navigator, Lisa Yaker, a STEAM & Technology coach at an International school in Panama.

How many years have you been teaching?

I have been teaching K-5 as Media Specialist for 7 years… this is my first year as STEAM coach and also first year adding PK.

State/City/Country You’re Currently Teaching In

Panama

What are your top 5 favorite STEM and/or Tech tools? 

1. Cardboard

2. Paper

3. Tape

4. Laffy Taffy

How did you become interested in STEM & Technology in relation to teaching? 

As the librarian, I really wanted to add technology and digital citizenship training to my classes. 

My students always wanted to use the computers in the lab, but I realized they didn't even have a basic technology vocabulary. So I knew I needed to start adding this immediately to the curriculum. 

Soon, I began teaching digital citizenship, parts of a computer, typing skills, etc… Luckily this was just in time when the pandemic hit and they all needed that computer knowledge ASAP! 

STEM was something the school wanted to add and asked me if I would teach it. Honestly, I was apprehensive at first. I have an art background and I am not that good at science. But I have honestly fallen in love with STEAM and just want to keep learning new things to share with my students.

 

What do you love most about integrating/teaching STEM & Technology? What are some positive changes you have seen in your students and/or school? 

I love teaching them how to problem solve, how to think critically. 

Like when these types of conversations happen, “Oh, you don't have any beads? Ok, so what can you use instead?… OMG YES Penne Pasta has a whole in it! That works perfectly”. 

The other amazing change I've seen is in my LP students (students on a learning plan). 

Students on learning plans typically have some form of learning difficulty or behavior that makes school more difficult for them. STEAM allows them to express themselves, discover new strengths and succeed.

Unlike math, where there is a specific right and wrong answer, STEAM does not have right and wrong answers. Just a rubric to assess if they accomplished the objective or not. It isn't about how pretty or perfect it is.

 

What is a project or lesson that you’ve seen be very successful in your classroom that you think other teachers might be interested in? 

OMG Ice Cream in a Bag was hands-down the most fun and amazing project we have done. 

I had parents and siblings all joining the class to dance around the room with our “ice baby” (that's what we called our bag of ice wrapped up in a towel). A student said it looked like a baby and “ice baby” stuck! 

Then, we all ate yummy fresh made ice cream sundaes together! We learned about matter (turning liquids into frozen) and how salt makes ice even colder. 

Making Oobleck was a very close 2nd place. Kids LOVED it and I promised to do a huge one in a baby pool when we get back to school in person.

Where can teachers find you to connect with you?

Instagram: @storytime_steam

Other blog posts you might enjoy:

Have questions about this program? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ or send me an email at contactnaomimeredith@gmail.com and I would love to chat with you!