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why STEM is important for students

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

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

 

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!

advocating for girls in STEM

Inspiring and Advocating for Girls in STEM with Alexandrina Satnoianu [ep.141]

Inspiring and Advocating for Girls in STEM with Alexandrina Satnoianu [ep.141]

advocating for girls in STEM

Check out the full episode on Inspiring and Advocating for Girls in STEM with Alexandrina Satnoianu:  

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

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

Episode Summary

With so many studies and statistics out there signifying that there is a significant gap of women who work in the STEM fields compared to men, advocating for girls in STEM is important. By closing this gap, we are giving more opportunities to various careers, creating a more diverse workforce, and helping limit bias in various projects. In today's episode, I interview Alexandrina Satnoianu, who is a gender equality expert and communications professional. Alexandrina shares about her work in advocating for girls in STEM and so much more.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why advocating for girls in STEM is important
  • How Alexandrina Satnoianu is advocating for girls
  • Tips and strategies for encouraging girls to participate 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 Alexandrina Satnoianu:

Alexandrina Satnoianu is a gender equality expert and communications professional, running communications campaigns at the European Institute for Gender Equality. She’s originally from Romania but has been living and working in Vilnius for the past 13 years and calls Lithuania her adoptive country.

She is the mother of two girls: a 23y glider pilot, aerospace engineer and commercial pilot in training, and an 12y intrepid and creative girl, whom she also raises with an interest in science and technology.

Inspired by her background in gender studies and parenting experience, Alexandrina is currently working on an innovative concept for STEAM education that aims to empower girls to feel they have the right, the skills, and the confidence to pursue a STEAM career. Her dream is to open a STEAM centre that would bring her ideas about girls’ science education to life.

This year, she took one step closer towards her dream and volunteered to run a STEAM Girl’s Club for 6th graders, at her daughter’s school. She is an active member of the international school community, gives lectures to parents on opening STEAM opportunities for their children and documents the journey towards her BIG dream on a #STEAMparenting blog.

Alexandrina loves hiking, pole dancing, running, biking, strives for a healthy work-life balance and a reduced carbon footprint.

Connect with Alexandrina:

Episode Transcript: 

Naomi Meredith [00:00:00]:

Why is it important to advocate for girls in STEM? There are so many statistics and studies out there that show there is a significant gap of women in STEM careers compared to men. By closing this gap and making it smaller, we are giving an abundance of opportunities to various careers in the STEM fields. This also helps create more diverse work environments and limits bias when it comes to the different types of perspectives when working on various projects in these spaces. For us as educators, we have the opportunity to inspire our young students, especially girls in our education space, to bring to light these amazing opportunities that are out there, specifically in STEM. And our guest today definitely has that same passion as we do in this elementary STEM space. Today, we are hearing from Alexandrina Satnoianu, and we first connected over on Instagram. And what is so amazing about this virtual world is, well, we've never met in person, son, and she's all the way in Lithuania, and we have the opportunity to connect and chat on Instagram. She is also a member of my STEM teacher bookshelf membership.


Naomi Meredith [00:01:35]:

And when I had her in on a call, she was so amazing. It was the middle of the night for her, but just hearing her story and her passion and what she is doing, advocating for girls in STEM is absolutely amazing and I knew that I needed to have her as a guest on this podcast. Alexandrina is a gender equality expert and communications professional and the work that she is doing is so important for not only girls in her community but her own children. She is the mother of 2. One of them is an adult, and one of them still is a child. And it is so amazing to hear all of the things that she has done to raise her girls where one of her daughters, her adult child, is actually in the STEM field today where her daughter is an aerospace engineer and also a pilot. Likewise, Alexandrina is doing amazing work for her younger daughter to advocate for her in STEM and is also starting up and continuing a STEM club for her daughter and girls at her school to expose them to lots of different ways to collaborate, critically think, and get excited about STEM. Alexandrina finds her inspiration from her experience of gender studies and also her experience as a mother and providing those opportunities in the STEM and STEAM space where we can close that gap when it comes to women in STEM and make a positive difference.


Naomi Meredith [00:03:15]:

She is working on so many more projects that I am mentioning here. So when you are done listening to this episode, make sure to go and check out her bio, which will be linked in the show notes because her full story and also the things that she'll be describing today are absolutely amazing and powerful and also inspirational to help us as educators and also other parents who are out there listening to this, how we can make STEM more accessible for all children but specifically girls in this space. I am so excited for you to listen to this episode. So let's jump on in and get inspired.


Naomi Meredith [00:03:55]:

Well, thank you so much, Alexandria, for being here today. We have connected over on social media, and you send me some blog posts. And, I know that you are a listener of the podcast and even join in our STEM your bookshelf community, and I'm so glad that you're here as a guest because when I knew what you were doing was so impactful and powerful, but when I heard you speak about what you're doing, advocating for girls in steam, and we'll get into that. But just, like, hearing your story, just a little snapshot in our book club call.


Naomi Meredith [00:05:00]:

I knew I had to have you as a guest, and then, side note, I'm grabbing your daughter for some other secret project coming up. But I'm really curious as to you have such a big background in the business world and everything that you've done. How did you get into the actual work of advocating for girls in STEM or STEAM?


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:05:23]:

Yes. STEAM is, what I, prefer. So thank you so much, Naomi, for your invite and having me here. You know me. I'm really passionate about the STEM education, and I have to thank you and the amazing content that you are putting up for deepening my interest and knowledge into STEAM. Actually, my background is in, gender equality. I graduated from gender studies, and I think that's the start, with my interest in in STEAM. Having access to the evidence and having, seeing that there are not enough, women professionals Working in science, technology, engineering, art, and math altogether. Actually, made me, become more of an advocate.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:06:18]:

I am of a curious nature, always, passionate about scientific discoveries. I think I got this from my father and from my mom, the appreciation for math. She was a seamstress. So, basically, thanks to her measurement and calculations, she was making dresses, and I've witnessed this, in my childhood. So I think because we do not have enough, women working in these areas, we are not yet that 40% gender balance, then there is not this critical mass, that, would help them Push through the innovations and take advantage of the existing technologies. So the work that they are doing, does not actually end up, representing, different, realities and needs of of women. And I can give a very trivial example. I think many of us, women, passing through the airports were queuing at the toilets.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:07:17]:

Yes. You have 2 toilets for women, 2 toilets for men, but the reality is that we need more time. This is a physiological reality, and sometimes due to our caring responsibilities, We also come in with with children, so that takes us even more time. But maybe there are not enough women to reflect on these needs, and there are maybe not enough women in the decision making positions to actually approve The constructions of 2 extra toilets that would be solving these needs. So I guess this is a very simple, out of everyone's realities type of an example of why we need more women in STEAM.


Naomi Meredith [00:08:01]:

That is a great example and so true. I actually was just at the airport last night, but I even listened to this book. It's not a STEM book, but it's great. It's called Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, who is the CEO of Facebook. Right? Book. Yeah.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:08:20]:

Right?


Naomi Meredith [00:08:21]:

Yeah. And she talks about that in her book. She's not an engineer. She has a STEM job, but she advocated for, having parking spots that are actually closer to the building for women who are expecting because she didn't ever think about that until she was super pregnant, and she said that her pregnancies were horrible. And she was so uncomfortable, and she advocated for that, but she's, like, being in an industry that's male dominant that that wasn't ever something that was talked about or even thought about, and she felt bad not even noticing that because she was experiencing it, and they actually kept the parking spot. So that's really great that that's something. But like you said, like, trivial but also important, it's daily life


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:09:07]:

too. Yep. Yep. Yep. And, I think women, just because they are encountering the situations, are more prone to finding solutions or innovative, solutions to solve these issues. So that's why I think, it is a matter of Democratic representation, but it is also a matter of having, women working in these fields having access to the resources and opportunities to bring in big change, that would solve some of the problems. And I think You and I and all other women, viewers and listeners can come in with many other examples, but these are, Yes. Just 2.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:09:50]:

So let's push for having more girls and women in STEAM because, honestly, just the numbers are going to be saving or changing the situations.


Naomi Meredith [00:10:02]:

Oh, absolutely. I even notice with girls, even in my LEGO, robotics club that I'm hosting right now at different schools. It's so interesting, and I've seen this too in other clubs where the girls, they can definitely tackle a challenge no problem, but they always not always, but very often, they add these artistic elements in the design part and the storytelling And just that little bit of creativity, not to say boys can't, but I've noticed that as a trend especially where, Oh, we need to have this part here so that the kids can wash their hands, or we need this part for the family. And so there's that element of that empathy and realizing how everything's connected together. So the next time you are doing a project with girls, Listen to how they're talking about things because the way that they discuss their, projects and their ideas have a different flow than typically what groups of all boys do, and I don't know if you've seen that in your STEM clubs with your girls.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:11:12]:

Actually, I was, thinking whether to start the STEAM club as a girl's club or not, but it was the book of Gitanjali Rao, an innovator's guide to STEM. Yes. This is hard to refer the acronym, that she kind of convinced me that the girls need a safe space in which they could have the freedom and feel they have the right to tackle, problems a bit differently or at their own pace or If they want, however they want, because it might be that sometimes, they don't know how to do it, and they are questioning, and They are turning the problem, to see it from different angles, and only once they have some sort of a deeper understanding, they actually work on developing the solutions where the boys are more prone to taking action, Testing and improving and testing and improving. There are different, approaches to to innovation that girls and boys take. And in the mixed class at this age, just because boys, they also might feel more confident. They could have even taken more space. Girls could be feeling more intimidated, and they would not get involved as much. So in the end, I decided to run a STEAM girls club, and I have to say that there are issues that they are bringing to the table that I think pertain to their experiences.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:12:47]:

And I'm super happy because, in my opinion, it's not only about having the skills and knowing how to work with the tools in the case of girls just because, as I said, they are a minority in all these, Fields, they also need to feel they have the confidence and the right, and they need constant empowerment From my point of view, from my gender studies, from my reading, from my parenting experience, yes, it kind of led me to believe that we need a bit of an Innovative approach with, with STEM education that takes this, empowerment into account.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:27]:

I agree with you, and I actually ran an all girls STEM club at my school, my 1st or couple years in that position, and it was a wonder workshop, wonder lake competition where it was robotics and building to solve the problem, and that was really important for me to start off with that because The kids don't really have STEM anyway as a class, but having that where it was girl specific and just really and I even recruited some girls where They didn't actually sign up. I sought them out knowing that they would I really wanted to push them in that direction. So if that's something as a teacher. I know it can be hard if you're teaching all the kids in the school or you have your own class. Maybe if you're a classroom teacher, you do a girls' STEM club, like a lunch club, and you do it once a week, or, you do run an after school club because I think those connections where girls are empowering other girls too, like, we're empowering them as the teacher, but also Them empowering each other is so important for them to learn at a young age so that they can be supportive and, like, it's healthy to have good disagreements and come to a conclusion, and so it's really teaching them those soft skills that are essential in whatever career they decide as they grow up. What are you doing in your club? What are your what kinds of things are you guys doing in your girls' club?


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:15:00]:

Well, you know, it's, fresh. We've just started this, year. So this the school year started in September, And it is actually open to girls, from the 6th grade. Also, because my little one, I have two daughters. So my little one, she's a 6th grader as well. So, yeah, I kind of had this Double agenda on one hand, to put my ideas in practice, on the other hand, to create this entourage which, my daughter and some other girls, they feel safe to develop their kind of interest in science and Get to play with the tools and get to experiment. So, yeah, we started by, I started by introducing the girls to Gitanjali Rao, and they were very, very surprised that a girl almost their age. Well, they are 12.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:16:03]:

She and Gitanjali were 15, at the age she received the prior. But they were really impressed that you can be an innovator at such young age, and we discussed about The problems that they encounter in their real life and which would be the ones they would pick, for which they would like to work for their own developing solutions. And, I was really surprised that most of them in one way or another said climate change. It's either fighting pollution or, mitigating climate change effects or, getting to improve the rights of the of the children in Africa working in in mines, Also a bit connected. So we kind of agreed together, took a bit of, democratic approach. So we took climate change, as a topic, and the girls, wanted to work on developing Scratch, animations or videos through which they would be kind of inspiring their colleagues on, what they could be personally doing to mitigate the climate change effects. Like, really, don't take the elevator, compost the, organic, leftovers. Don't buy new clothes, sell your games, and board games on Vinted.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:17:38]:

We have here an application, an app that is quite successful for, commercializing secondhand items. All sorts of ideas they came up with, and this is what we are currently working on. But just because it was Halloween, we had a very special edition Inspired also by your podcast on, how to work with pumpkins, for steam activities, And we developed, pumpkin batteries, which was super, super cool. So let's see.


Naomi Meredith [00:18:16]:

Definitely send pictures if you have any, and we can put them on here. This could be a whole blog post for you. You could write a blog post about each of those.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:18:26]:

I do have. I do have tons of pictures because the girls, they were honestly So involved and so happy. And it was for real estate project because, it was the Electricity part, the surprise part in which we got to connect the pumpkins. We had 4 pumpkins. We connected, In in a series, and they add, altogether, they had enough voltage for light up, LED, like, and then it was actually the whole, pumpkin battery experiment for, a pumpkin competition, pumpkin contest at school, and they created a poster. So there was also the artistic, aspect of it. And they were really, really, really Well together, and, I was super proud of them. Unfortunately, they did not win, but they are winners to me.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:19:24]:

Yeah. And I have a prize with them. Oh, that's so


Naomi Meredith [00:19:27]:

sweet. Oh, I'm sure they love it. How many girls are in your group?


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:19:31]:

Well, this is it. I was not so I'm sure how to take it. We started with 5 girls, and I was a bit bummed, but Then I thought, well, this is the reality. It's true that the club was announced a bit late. So 3 weeks after school started, many many of the kids have already enrolled to some, after school activities. And there was also this perception that, it's not so much for girls even if it's dedicated to girls. So there is this issue that girls do not see themselves, as working or studying or being passionate about this area. But I'm super happy also because I do not have the hands on experience.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:20:22]:

I don't know if I would have handled a bigger number of girls. So 5, he's already quite a lot, to be honest, because I'm not I'm more than teacher, and I do not impose, the authority of a teacher. And sometimes it's really they it's after school, and they are so relaxed with me that, I have to say, yes. I I need to improve also my way of getting them, involved and keeping them focused on what it is that we are actually working on. But the battery experiment was a super hit. I think they love this kind of activities.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:03]:

Oh, definitely. And they're gonna talk about it more and more. Like you said, it's not they don't see themselves in this type of club, which is why you should have that. So you're doing great work. Yeah. And having a small amount, you can for you as the teacher, you'll learn your tips and tricks, and I'm sure more girls will want to start joining, and they'll talk about it. And, I mean, it's great you have your daughter in there so she can help promote for you.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:21:31]:

Yes. Yeah. I was actually not sure how she would see it because it's the age that we, you know, kids, they tease each other. So I was very gentle, to be honest. Really asking her if she wants to join, if she's okay with it. And she's a big, big Support her. I think she does a great job talking about this the STEAM club with with the other girls, and She seems very cool and at ease with it. So just because she's, so authentically seeing herself as a steam girl, I think it it is convincing for the other girls.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:22:12]:

And to be honest, I've also read in a study that this is what makes the difference. So they looked back in the study, and asked the girls that they graduated and become engineers. What exactly made them, choose this, career? And they had some some options. And among The most important factor, it was also that they saw themselves as engineers. They picture themselves in this role. Besides having good math skills, having a good impression about education in general, an interest in natural sciences. So I think it's very important to normalize. That's why I say that we have to give the girls this feeling that they have the right to be in this air in this area.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:23:05]:

They don't need to be special in many ways. I also think the parents expect the girls to be geniuses, but that's not the case. Any normal Girl can be a steam girl. And, yes, I know what I'm talking about since I have a graduate girl who graduated aerospace engineer at home. So yeah. She's very normal.


Naomi Meredith [00:23:30]:

Yes. Yes. Well, tell me. Okay. You told us in the book club, the STEM teacher bookshelf a little bit more about this, and your daughter's actually gonna be helping me with a project that is aligning with exactly what you're saying, helping kids see themselves in STEM. So you have done some things at home since that you're so passionate about this, but also just to help your daughters. What types of things have you done for your daughters? Because your daughter didn't just step into aerospace engineering. I know you were doing some things at home to kinda help her see that could be a possibility for her and also your little one too.


Naomi Meredith [00:24:07]:

You told me you do things with her as well.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:24:09]:

Yeah. Yes. Well, I am happy that I've overcome my negative experience in high school, where I encountered a misogynist teacher who was telling us, the girls in the class, You are beautiful but stupid? Well, those were the times. You know? Many, many years


Naomi Meredith [00:24:31]:

ago. Bitch.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:24:32]:

Yes. And, of course, it stirred me away for good because I was studying math and physics high level in in high school, but encountering On daily basis because I had math day daily classes of math, encountering this type of an attitude, it's Totally steered me away from, studying sciences or math. But somehow, it it It remained with me and this appreciation for for math. I passed it on to my daughter. Actually, we were, solving problems together as a mother daughter activity, helping her out to participate in some math competition that she wanted to to score the highest, 1 100 points, and she had very good math skills and confidence in her math skills. So there is a bit of a difference because girls nowadays, they do have good math skills, but they don't have, the confidence. So I think it it makes a big difference. Other than that, both myself and my husband, I think we took, nongender stereotypical, bringing, approach in a sense that, She got really exposed early on to robotics classes, coding classes.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:25:57]:

She was taught how to fix her bike. We treated her not really as as a girl that should be in a certain way, but this a child that should have many, many opportunities. And we opened up, I think, in this way, and her interest in STEAM, but that onwards, it's her own merit for Keeping up, for not being intimidated. Of course, I was coaching her and supporting all the way, But sometimes it's difficult since you are the only girl in the or there is another colleague, in the computer science class are, later on when she decided she wants to study, aerospace engineering to be among the few girls in in, in her group or in the hangar or whatever project it can be deterring. So this empowerment, I think it's very important. It played a huge role. And I wanted to learn or to think in retrospect and see what can I learn from this experience of raising my older daughter that I can apply with my little one, but she's totally different? She's an alpha generation child, digitally native. She doesn't do things just because I say so or give, the example of her older sister doing stuff.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:27:32]:

So I had to take a bit of a different approach. So with with her, again, very gentle, giving examples, providing opportunities to do things together, just to Play along to tease her interest, but no real push. Stepping aside if I see that it It's something that she doesn't like, so totally honoring, and respecting her her interests. And so far, it worked Well, and this is what I'm writing about in my STEAM parenting blog. Yeah. This generation is totally totally different, and we raise them. I think to have a voice, to be aware of who they are and their interests, and you cannot overstep that.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:28:30]:

So I think yeah. STEAM education has to take into account, their interests. Yeah.


Naomi Meredith [00:28:39]:

Oh, you're doing you you're a great job, mom. Like, I love that. Like, if I ever had kids, like, that's like, feel like I'll call you up. Hey. Can you just, like, raise my kids for me? Can you just do it


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:28:52]:

for me? Well, you know, every kid is different. Then they, I don't see this with my girls, so you have to you have to adjust. But, you know, there are some Principles, and I also know that I don't want to do things that I wouldn't want to be done to me. So I think that's that's the basics.


Naomi Meredith [00:29:17]:

Yeah. You're doing great, and you're sharing that with other kids in the school community, and that's going to grow. Yeah. What are all the different projects that you have going on that teachers and parents can check out?


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:29:31]:

Yes. I've mentioned that I am documenting my parenting experience with my little one on a teen parenting blog. I am fully admiring, the pace with which you are developing content and podcast. I am still catching up. Oh, good. But I would love I would love to to, to write and post, With an increased frequency at the moment, Yeah. It's, it's still a project to to grow. I started, as you also said, to talk with parents at school.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:30:11]:

So I'm, I'm involved. I'm a school counselor. I'm involved, with the community. I held presentations. Also, I kind of became aware of maybe 10 small improvements that we could make or micro adjustments to our parenting. I've made a a presentation, at the Spring International Steam Summit. I always seem to forget the title. And the presentation is on the ten things, or 10 steps you could be taking for more intentional STEAM parenting.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:30:58]:

Mhmm. I'm sure that many of us are doing all these. Just to give you an example, not, restricting, steam, or connecting STEAM only to Lego Robotics coding. STEAM can be just because of the use of technology can be any area. Something I said earlier, do not expect your girl to be showing, signs of genies. She can be very, very much herself with her interest in unicorns and, pink, fairies, whatever, take her from, where she is and just, provide her with an opportunity to know more. So include visits to museums in your travels or in your Weekends routines, make experiments, integrated scientific vocabulary, or, prone, conversations that lead to more inquiry. So there are many small things we can do that in a way leads to a big change.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:32:19]:

So I think This is, one of my, my strengths, my interests overall, having, As I said, my background in gender equality, the, reads, the studies, and then my Parenting experience, it kind of led me to believe that we need this innovative approach in STEAM education where we make the girls feel they have the confidence, the right and the skills to pursue a STEAM career. And I'm working on this innovative concept of steam education. I will I will see how I will be, able to develop it yeah. Presented at conferences or just study more, but it's definitely, I need an interest, a a passion, for me. So, yeah, this would be, my interest, I'm talking about it on my blog, on my Instagram. So I think, peer viewers, parents, teachers, if they have questions, interested, want to reach out to me, I'm fully open. I'm really, really happy to be part of this team community.


Naomi Meredith [00:33:45]:

Well, you are definitely walking the walk, not just talking the talk. You are doing great work, and you should be so proud of what you're doing. And you're doing this in such a kind way, and not you're it's just like a very welcoming way in the way that you are presenting this where it is so needed, did, and it's not making people feel bad, but making others be aware. And we'll have the links to everything in the show notes. So the International Steam Summit, by Wonder Workshop. You might still be able to watch it. I think they leave them up. It's free.


Naomi Meredith [00:34:20]:

Yeah. You might still be able actually to go and watch it. But then if not, you guys have to follow her on her blog and Instagram and see what where she's presenting next. So, I appreciate all the work that you're doing, Alexandrina, and, definitely a topic that isn't talked about enough, whether it's in the parent community or even in the STEM teacher community or teacher community in general. And so I'm So grateful that, you are a guest on our show. Thank you so much for being here.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:34:53]:

Thank you so much for the invite. It felt really, like, long needed conversation between the 2 of us, and I hope that, many more will follow. And thank you once more for everything that you are doing. It it's really inspirational. So much of my work is also, thanks to you.


Naomi Meredith [00:35:15]:

Oh, thank you. That's so kind of you. We need we need a big community to help keep this going in our world. So, we'd


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:35:24]:

Yeah.


Naomi Meredith [00:35:24]:

I can't do it alone. So we need everybody to, raise up their voices and keep doing great work in our STEM world and overall world for kids.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:35:36]:

Yes. And this is how we will be actually bringing In the change that we've talked at the beginning that it's so much needed. So, yeah, let's, let's promise each other that we will be talking in 5 years From now and hopefully with improved statistics and Yes. More positive outcome.


Naomi Meredith [00:35:56]:

Absolutely. And I can't wait to see what your little one ends up doing, how she pursues her dreams and uses her talents. So I'm excited to hear. She'll be way older in 5 years, so she might always be done in high she'll be close to being done at high school. So I can't wait to hear what she ends up doing too.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:36:13]:

Yes. Correct. That would be a perfect timing. So by then, I think she would have to be decided on what she wants to study because now she is so much gravitating between, different careers. But honestly, I don't feel…how to say? I'm not worried at all. I feel like I'm doing my best. I'm opening up my heart's interest in STEM. As I said, many of the areas, they are potential team areas.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:36:46]:

So whatever she's choosing or will be choosing, it's going to be fine. She's going to be great.


Naomi Meredith [00:36:53]:

Well, I can't wait to hear it. I know we'll keep in touch over the next 5 years, but I thank you so much again for being on the podcast. You're amazing, and keep up the awesome work that you're doing as an advocate.


Alexandrina Satnoianu [00:37:05]:

Thank you so much. I will.

advocating for girls in STEM

Connect with Naomi Meredith:

 

More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is a former classroom teacher turned current K-5 STEM teacher and coach. Her role not only includes teaching over 500 students in her school, but also leading professional development and co-teaching with teachers to help them integrate STEM & Technology.

With over a decade of experience along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM certificate, she helps teachers navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM & Technology 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!