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creating a STEM culture

Creating a STEM Culture and High-Quality Teacher Support with Nichole Austion from NMSI [STEM in Action Series] [ep.165]

Creating a STEM Culture and High-Quality Teacher Support with Nichole Austion from NMSI [STEM in Action Series] [ep.165]

creating a STEM culture

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Episode Summary

Are you tired of feeling like you don’t have enough time to implement effective STEM lessons in your classroom? Or maybe you haven’t been able to get your school on board with incorporating STEM curriculum into your classroom. Today’s guest, Nichole Austion can relate to both scenarios. In this episode, she shares some great tips for creating a STEM culture and getting support as a teacher who wants to bring STEM to your school. 

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • How to create a STEM culture 
  • Why creating a STEM culture is important
  • Supports for effective implementation of STEM culture

Resources Mentioned:

Meet Nichole Austion:

Nichole Austion is the Vice President of Public Affairs at the National Math and Science Initiative where she leads marketing and government relations. With a focus on STEM advancement, she orchestrates strategic initiatives, bridging marketing and government relations to amplify NMSI’s impact nationwide. Austion’s expertise stems from global technology firms like Sabre Holdings and Teradata, where she drove multimillion-dollar revenue through innovative marketing strategies. She is the author of “Miles and the Math Monsters,” a children’s book that transforms math into a friendly presence, encouraging children to see it as a helpful companion intertwined with their everyday environment. She holds an engineering degree from Howard University and an MBA from The University of Texas at Austin.

Connect with Nichole:

Episode Transcript: 

Naomi Meredith [00:00:00]:

You are excited to implement STEM in your classroom or school building, but maybe you're feeling short on time, or you don't have enough training to plan effective lessons or even get your school on board, whatever that looks like for you. I definitely hear you. I have been in those exact same situations at various points in my career as a classroom teacher and also when I was a STEM teacher. So I completely understand where you're coming from, and I hear it all the time from you guys as well in my Instagram DMs and also in my email. So I definitely hear you and am here to help provide you support as always. And today's guest, Nicole Aschen, can resonate with what you're going through as well. She works with an organization that can help support your needs. Talking with Nicole was just so powerful because the National Math and Science Initiative, also NMSI, where Nicole is their vice president of public affairs, her philosophies and the things that she was talking about, what the organization stands for, really aligns with what I believe STEM education could be.


Naomi Meredith [00:01:21]:

And so we had a really, really awesome conversation, and it's one of those situations in the interview where you're just so glad that this is being recorded. There were some technical difficulties, but we're just so glad it's recorded because there's some really powerful stuff that you'll take away from our conversation. Nicole holds an engineering degree and focuses on STEM advancement, orchestrates strategic initiatives, and bridges marketing and government relations to amplify NMSI's impact nationwide. Nicole's experience stems from global technology firms, and she drove a multimillion-dollar revenue through innovative marketing strategies. She is also the author of Miles and the Math Monsters, which she does talk a little bit about, and I'm really excited for you to hear that part as well. The whole thing is great, but I also hear about that part too. Her book is a children's book that transforms math into a friendly presence, encouraging children to see it as a helpful companion intertwined with their everyday environment. Like I said, I'm so excited for you to hear today's interview and all the great takeaways you're gonna get for it in our STEM in Action series.


Naomi Meredith [00:02:42]:

And so, sit back, enjoy, and maybe take a few notes along the way.


Naomi Meredith [00:03:17]:

Alright. Well, thank you, Nicole, so much for being here today. We were chatting a little bit before we hit record, and once you guys watch the video version of this, Nicole has the best glasses on right now. They are beautiful. She's so beautiful, and then her glasses just accentuate that, but they're bright red. They're so cute. They're so cute. So you guys have to check out the video once that's posted, but thank you so much for being here.


Nichole Austion [00:03:45]:

Thank you for having me. I'm so pleased to be on your podcast today.


Naomi Meredith [00:03:49]:

I'm very excited to get into what we're gonna chat about today. But before we do that, if you want, thinking about you and just how you support STEM education and your background.


Nichole Austion [00:04:04]:

Absolutely. My name is Nicole Achin. I'm the vice president of public affairs for the National Math and Science Initiative. National Math and Science Initiative is a STEM solution provider, and we provide excellent quality STEM professional development for teachers in grades 3 through 12. I am a STEM woman in STEM. I have an engineering degree from Howard University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, which I thought at one point took me out of STEM. But the fact that I have, spent 20 years in technology companies made me realize that I am a woman in STEM and that I have spent my entire career doing that. In the last 6 years, I have been affiliated with the education industry.


Nichole Austion [00:04:56]:

I spent about 2 years with the Charter Management Organization working as their director of marketing, and I've been with the National Math and Science Initiative for 4 years. I'm also a mother and a wife, mother of a teenage son who has a little bit of math anxiety and is also neurodiverse.


Naomi Meredith [00:05:17]:

Well, I love how all of your experiences have blended together, and I sure help you so much with what you're currently doing with the organization that you are a part of because definitely having your background in STEM and then you worked in those companies, and now, helping out teachers with great training, which is definitely needed, hence why this podcast exists. I taught in the STEM classroom for 5 years and had limited supplies and zero curriculum. I personally didn't have a background in STEM. I ended up getting a master's in it, but I think it is so important with what you're doing and supporting teachers and, just with great high-quality professional development. So, what types of things with your professional development do you guys really focus on in terms of STEM? Like, what are the types of things that you really hope teachers will gain from the program that you're involved in?


Nichole Austion [00:06:21]:

That is such a great question, Naomi. So, at the National Math and Science Initiative, about 80% of our employees are former teachers. And being former teachers, they understand what quality professional development is and what professional development without quality is. And so we really wanna focus in on making sure that, number 1, we create community amongst the teachers. As a matter of fact, we are getting ready to have our content workshops in the Fort Worth area, where we'll have over 500 STEM teachers, and in Norfolk in the Virginia Beach area, sorry. Excuse me. Virginia Beach area, where we'll have over 300 STEM teachers. And so number 1 is we wanna create that community.


Nichole Austion [00:07:09]:

We want teachers to understand that they're not alone in the classroom. Secondly, we want to make sure that we have excellent content and pedagogy. We know that a lot of teachers come to STEM with a literacy lens, and they need the content and the pedagogy to be solid in their minds and build that confidence in them because there are so many other things to do within the classroom. Classroom data, try this one of my Yes.


Nichole Austion [00:07:36]:

Things that I hate the most. Right? But if you have that knowledge content and pedagogy knowledge, then you can focus on other things within the classroom. And then thirdly, and certainly not any less important than the other 2, are really creating a culture of STEM literacy. And we define STEM literacy as individuals who are critical thinkers who can apply concepts from science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the humanities to understand complex problems, innovate around those problems, and collaborate with others to solve them. And what we wanna emphasize is that that's not just a teacher thing. Right? That's a school culture thing. Yeah. That's a curriculum thing. Mhmm.


Nichole Austion [00:08:25]:

That's a career awareness thing. So we tend to put all of those things into our content workshops so that teachers have a broad view of and leaders have a broad view of how to create those STEM literate cultures in their schools, in their districts, and in their states.


Naomi Meredith [00:08:48]:

I think that's very important, and I think can be really tricky depending on what school you are at and even who your admin is. For me, personally, I had an admin who is super supportive of STEM and very, excited about it and, just that type of thinking, and then how to admin where that was not the case, then they never came into my classroom. So, I think that's really, really important as well. So, for people who might not have a strong STEM culture or have that type of support, what types of things does your program recommend for getting started and creating that type of community and support?


Nichole Austion [00:09:36]:

Absolutely. Thanks for that question. So we really do try to partner with districts and states in order to provide that STEM literacy culture. But if you are a teacher in an environment that does not have that support, one of the one of the ways you can really start doing that for your students is to present them with real world problems in the classroom. I think if you take a look at your teaching team, and you can work with your teaching team and present real world problems, things around climate change, how to grow food in a flood plain, how to get supplies to refugees. Those are examples of lessons that you can use cross-disciplinary, and interdisciplinary, and ways that you can start kind of introducing some of that critical thinking and problem-solving in the classroom. Another way that you can do that is to perhaps approach your administration about becoming a trainer. Right? So, train the trainer model.


Nichole Austion [00:10:46]:

So can I, a teacher, go and be trained on how to proliferate STEM literacy in our school and then bring that back? Right? That may be something that you can propose to your administration, in order for them to kind of see the benefits. Sometimes, they might wanna stick their toe in the water, just test it out a little bit, and then broaden that type of program. The other thing I think is critically important is really understanding the careers that we need in STEM. We are woefully short and will be woefully short for many decades to come in terms of the STEM professionals that we have. So get yourself well versed in what career options we need to staff up on in here in the United States and globally, and maybe hold a career fair. Introduce your students to different types of careers. And you can make that interdisciplinary as well. Yep.


Nichole Austion [00:11:47]:

But make sure you're exposing those kids to all of the breadth and depth that they could potentially have within the world of STEM. So those are just a few ways since you might be able to start.


Naomi Meredith [00:12:00]:

You are getting me so excited because, okay. Yes. Like, a 100%. I'm so glad you mentioned this because I was a classroom teacher for 6 years before getting into STEM, and my school did this. They did have, like, a train-the-trainer type of model. When we really focused on math that year, we started doing that with technology and, at the time it's technology, not so much stem, but still that project-based learning. So I a 100%, that's what we did. Then our teams, we had co-planning times, and we did plan those project-based learning experiences.


Naomi Meredith [00:12:39]:

And one of them even, like, your examples are so real, and they're so true and kids don't even know those exist and even things that happen in your own school. We did it even. The kids planned one of our parties, our class parties, and our fall party, and we actually used the data that we're learning about graphing and part, which is pretty cool.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:09]:

But I'm, yeah, so glad you said that because it can work. I've been in a school where it works, but also the STEM careers. Girl, I got a whole other podcast about STEM careers for kids.


Nichole Austion [00:13:20]:

That's fantastic.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:21]:

A whole other one.


Nichole Austion [00:13:22]:

Yeah.


Naomi Meredith [00:13:23]:

Yeah. So, if you guys haven't heard, it's the STEM Career Quest podcast, and I interview people in STEM and have done a whole series on this podcast about STEM career day. So I'm so glad we're aligned with this because I'm not just making this stuff up. Nicole is saying the things that are here, guys. This is real. This works.


Nichole Austion [00:13:44]:

Absolutely.


Nichole Austion [00:13:46]:

Absolutely. And I'll tell you, like, with this generation too, I love the idea of kind of that flipped classroom that you talked about, because as we all, you know, probably experience, these kids, especially when it comes to technology, they're so adept at such a young age. And what a great way to get them involved in their own learning. Present them with a project, you know, a project-based lesson that can flip that classroom and have them teach their peers or have them teach you about technology and having them presenting them with a real world problem that they can tap Alexa for with, you know, within ethics.


Nichole Austion [00:14:24]:

But how can we,


Nichole Austion [00:14:26]:

you know, how can we really engage them in the world that they're really gonna be growing up in, in a way that helps them to understand the linkages between what they, you know, like and love about STEM and those critical skills that they're gonna be building throughout the lab.


Nichole Austion [00:14:46]:

Mhmm.


Naomi Meredith [00:14:47]:

Really, Mark, and what you like with the program, the things that you're doing are more cross-curricular instead of being isolated, we are making this project, the end, like, everything kind of blends together and using all of those skills. Is that what you guys really focus on?


Nichole Austion [00:15:06]:

But we do wanna have that interdisciplinary approach. We also wanna make sure that we are helping teachers in terms of vertical teaming. Right? Mhmm. This was not a thing that I was aware of, having not been a formally trained educator, but you may sit, and you know this, you may sit in the 3rd grade.


Nichole Austion [00:15:28]:

Mhmm. You


Nichole Austion [00:15:28]:

don't have any idea what those kids need to know in 8th grade.


Naomi Meredith [00:15:32]:

Mhmm.


Nichole Austion [00:15:32]:

So what we'd like to focus on, as well as the interdisciplinary nature of what we train, We also wanna focus on that vertical team. Yeah. If you're sitting in a district, an elementary school, you need to know what those kids


Nichole Austion [00:15:47]:

have to


Nichole Austion [00:15:47]:

know when they get Yeah. In middle school.


Nichole Austion [00:15:49]:

You have


Nichole Austion [00:15:49]:

to have that communication along that vertical team. And it doesn't have to although we'd like for it to cross from elementary to middle, middle to high. But sometimes just within elementary school.


Naomi Meredith [00:16:01]:

Yeah. True.


Nichole Austion [00:16:02]:

Have to know: What do these kids absolutely have to know in order to be successful in the next grade, in the next grade, in the next grade? And everything that we teach in terms of our professional development is mapped back from AP standards. Now, that doesn't mean every kid is gonna take an AP class. Right? Yeah. But it's mapped from AP standards so that you understand as a teacher if this kid can grasp this, they can then perform in an AP class, and they can be ready to transition into a college-level course.


Nichole Austion [00:16:41]:

Mhmm.


Nichole Austion [00:16:41]:

So we really wanna make sure that that's solid in the minds of our teachers as they look to scaffold skills throughout the year.


Naomi Meredith [00:16:50]:

That is so important too that, yes, you're doing these really cool lessons, but why are you doing it? Like, how is this connected to the bigger picture? What standards are you relating this to? Because I hear that too when I talk with teachers and have done, like, professional development and group coaching. And even when I did coaching in my school, even classroom teachers might not always know what standards they're supposed to teach. And so it is important if you're doing even if you're doing hands-on things and engaging kids, it has a purpose, and it there's a reason why we're doing this. Like, it's a whole big thing. And so the standards like, maybe it's annoying, but it is important to understand what is this rooted in, how is this connected. You're not teaching to the test. It's that, can they achieve what's gonna be coming in the years to come? So, I'm so glad that you guys see that. When you work with teachers or even things that you have seen, are there any specific projects or cool things that you've done with teachers that they've really enjoyed, like STEM and project-based learning?


Nichole Austion [00:18:02]:

Yeah. The cool thing that we do are really hands on. Mhmm. I love watching some of the math and science teachers work with our teachers. At one of our recent new teacher academies here in Atlanta, we had a fabulous coach who was teaching about measurement in the middle grades. And as we went out into the foyer, all the teachers and the coach were out there. They were measuring things. I mean, they had actual projects that they were taking on and they would take back into the classroom, potentially.


Nichole Austion [00:18:38]:

And they were really thinking critically about how the project could be, executed. And it looked like they were the kids.


Nichole Austion [00:18:47]:

It was beautiful. Right? But they


Nichole Austion [00:18:49]:

were so engaged in, you know, making sure that, you know, they had the appropriate directions, that they, you know, where directions were missing, they could use those critical thinking skills. So I really like the fact that our coaches, who are current classroom teachers, which is wonderful, really provide lessons that are hands-on for our teachers so that they can experience being a student as well as experience being, have experience being the instructor, while they're doing their professional development. We've also partnered with some fabulous, organizations who are corporate organizations who want to provide information, and resources to to students. We currently work with Deloitte and their Smart Believers Factory project, where they provide rovers to our school. We develop the curriculum behind that particular program, and that's fun because it's a little robot,


Naomi Meredith [00:20:01]:

And


Nichole Austion [00:20:01]:

all of the curriculum is standards-aligned, but it's all about getting that rover working. And it was fun to see the teachers doing that, too.


Naomi Meredith [00:20:09]:

Like Does it look like a Mars rover? Does it look like a real rover?


Nichole Austion [00:20:14]:

It looks like a little rover, and there are exercises to help lights blink and get it actually moving and put it together. So we really love having some of our corporate partners who are leaning into that investment in STEM education and leaning into that quality professional development coming to us because they know that our program is curriculum agnostic and customizable, but it's it's a program that teachers love. Right? And that's the Yeah. Right? We want teachers to love the professional development that we provide. And let's face it. Mine have another 10 professional development. It's not fun. But we wanna make it fun and applicable for Oh, yeah.


Nichole Austion [00:20:57]:

Our


Naomi Meredith [00:20:58]:

Oh, absolutely. And, you know, I mean, if the teacher is bored, like, do they really wanna teach what they're saying? I would wanna teach about a rover, though.


Nichole Austion [00:21:06]:

Mhmm. For sure.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:09]:

So one thing with teachers, maybe you see this too because I know you have all sorts of teachers, like classroom teachers and maybe some who teach STEM. And some schools, like, I know there are teachers who listen to this. They don't have a STEM teacher, and that's okay. But I one thing I really hear is with the time, the limited time, and sometimes the projects are too long. Are there things that you guys recommend? Like, there are a lot of teachers who listen and only see their kids once a week for 1 hour. They see the whole school within the week. And so these longer projects, they really want to do, but then they don't have a lot of time. They're like, I only see them for 1 hour, and then I'll see them for 1 hour next week, and the kids forget.


Naomi Meredith [00:21:58]:

And how do I store everything? Are there projects you have in mind or things that you guys recommend where they are still doing these high-level things but just in a shorter amount of time?


Nichole Austion [00:22:08]:

Yeah. I think that is really where the interdisciplinary nature and teaming within the schools is gonna be critically important. Because if you can take a portion of a social studies lesson, right, And you can make it applicable, design a lesson in science or design a lesson I mean, math, probably not the right example, but biology or design a lesson, chemistry, that kind of goes along with that particular social studies lesson. You might be able to have more traction,


Nichole Austion [00:22:43]:

with


Nichole Austion [00:22:43]:

those students. And then working in your grade level team to integrate, you know, some of the concepts and things that you wanna teach in your particular STEM class into those that history class or that social studies class. And look, don't don't ignore physical education. Don't ignore Yeah. You know, some of your extracurricular types of activities. You know, make sure that you're learning, especially within STEM, is interdisciplinary because there are so many applications and so many ways to connect the dots for those Mhmm. Those students. So try as much as you can to work as a team if you only have that short period of time.


Nichole Austion [00:23:24]:

Yes. And then, once again, you know, make sure that you're doing things that could be really impactful, especially if it relates to culturally relevant education. Talk about


Nichole Austion [00:23:35]:

Mhmm.


Nichole Austion [00:23:36]:

Different cultures, ethnicities, and gender identities that are STEM Mhmm. Professional. Right? Try to bring in STEM professionals from your local, Yeah. Companies to talk to the kids. Right? Mhmm. Because there's nothing like seeing somebody in a profession, talking to somebody, in that profession to kind of spur that imagination about what a child would be.


Naomi Meredith [00:24:03]:

Mhmm. That's really, really good advice, and I love that too because I think, well, not that I know when I was, coming from a classroom to being a STEM specials teacher, I felt very isolated where I don't have I had a team, PER and music. However, I didn't know what the teachers were doing. I did co-teach for a while, but I think that's really helpful if you only see them once a week, like you said, that what they're doing in their regular classroom can help build that background knowledge. And even too, I know some teachers will have a like, it's just a lot teaching science, and don't teach science, but maybe you could take on, oh, maybe I can have a different stem to it. It's sort of like what I try to do with my projects that were standards-based and having a stem perspective, like, maybe you're learning about life cycles, but now we're gonna create a 3 d model of the life cycle that can be printed on our 3 d printer. So making those connections, I think, is so important because we're not teaching in silos. Like, you might be a different room, but we're all on the same team.


Nichole Austion [00:25:16]:

That's right. That's right. It's very important to remember that. Yep. Absolutely.


Naomi Meredith [00:25:21]:

Okay. So I'm gonna ask you, do you have any fun projects that you might be working on that might be helpful for teachers to your organization that you're a part of does amazing things? But is there anything in particular that you have going on that you wanna share?


Nichole Austion [00:25:40]:

So, I do have a project that I'm working on, so you can probably see a little bit of it in the video. I just produced and published a book called Miles and the Math Monsters. And it is all about a young man, a little boy named Miles, who has a bit of math anxiety. As most teachers and educators know, math was the 2023 word of the year designated by Education Week. Mhmm. And I Mhmm. I was inspired to write this particular book because I had a very math intensive journey as an engineer. There math I didn't have a choice, but math is interdisciplinary.


Nichole Austion [00:26:25]:

You showed up everywhere.


Naomi Meredith [00:26:27]:

Yes.


Nichole Austion [00:26:27]:

School. Right? And I have a child who struggles with math. And so I've had to be barely creative in trying to get him to understand certain concepts. He struggled a little bit with working memory, so we utilized things that he loved. So, he is a Fortnite fanatic. Right? And he's really good. Alright. So to get him to kind of understand the concept of addition and subtraction, he's in the game.


Nichole Austion [00:27:03]:

And if he's in the game, and he's one of 7 players left, okay. So, if you're one of 7 players left, how many players then do you have to eliminate? Right away. Right? So, utilizing things that are in his everyday life to really get him to understand the concepts of addition, subtraction, and multiplication, and then building upon his strengths. Now, I will tell you, he will struggle with certain concepts, but he does exponents like a champ, and most people don't.


Nichole Austion [00:27:37]:

Oh. Yeah.


Naomi Meredith [00:27:38]:

I know. 


Nichole Austion [00:27:40]:

That's hard.


Naomi Meredith [00:27:41]:

Good skill.


Nichole Austion [00:27:43]:

Yeah. He's really, really good with exponent and all of the operations with exponent. But really, I was inspired to write the book because of him. You know, we were kind of on the opposite end of the spectrum.


Nichole Austion [00:27:54]:

I had all this math. He struggles with math. And, I wanted to show, you know, young children that you don't have to be afraid of numbers. Numbers are everywhere. Math is a language, and it's a language we're all gonna be using for the rest of our lives. And there that may look scary on a board, but it doesn't look scary when you're ordering 2 scoops of ice cream or when you're counting players on the basketball court, the ones who are on the bench versus the ones who are playing. It's not scary to see the number of trees in your local park. You know, it's not scary when you recognize that numbers are everywhere and math is everywhere, and it's a part of our lives.


Nichole Austion [00:28:36]:

And so that was the inspiration for writing the book. I'm hoping that they'll become a series of books, around STEM. So that's one of my projects.


Naomi Meredith [00:28:47]:

Yeah. That's a great book. I know, Jers, we, especially in elementary, love using books and using that as a good talking point. And that's a great book for any time of year, but especially for back to school when we're talking about growth mindset and how we think through problems, especially math, and how math can be scary. But we're all math people. So, I love that. Put that in the show notes so teachers can grab it for their extra school bookshelves.


Nichole Austion [00:29:18]:

Absolutely. Absolutely.


Naomi Meredith [00:29:20]:

Well, thank you so much. Is there anything else that you would love to share that I missed out on or anything else that you think teachers should know?


Nichole Austion [00:29:29]:

I think what really I wanna emphasize is the fact that you know, you're not alone, teachers. Especially when we talk about the National Math and Science Initiative. We are here to help you build the content and pedagogy that you need. We understand that teaching is a valuable profession, and we treat it as such. Right? And I know there are so many challenges in the classroom these days, but I want teachers to understand that if they're looking for quality STEM professional development, they have allies. Right? You have allies outside of the National Math and Science Initiative, but certainly with our organization as well. And on our website, which is nms.org, we have free lessons that teachers can download. So if you go to our website, go to the resources page, we have a wealth of free lessons that you can utilize in your classroom, and this is really for teachers in 3 grades 3 through 12.


Nichole Austion [00:30:32]:

We also have culturally responsive lessons that we've put together with partners like 3 m and the Leiden Hill Institute. So check out our website. It can't hurt to have a free lesson, something to help you build that STEM literacy culture in your school and in your classroom.


Naomi Meredith [00:30:52]:

I love that. Thank you so much for sharing those, and, definitely, if teachers want to dive in this summer, if you're chilling this summer, look at it during back to school. That's fine, too. We'll link all of that for sure, but we appreciate your insights so much, Nicole, and what you're doing, helping support teachers through your book and also the organization that you're a part of. And, thank you so much for all of your insight today.


Nichole Austion [00:31:20]:

Thank you, Naomi. I really appreciate you having me on your platform.


Naomi Meredith [00:31:25]:

Thank you.

creating a STEM culture

 

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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!

From Lab Coats to Experiments: Behind the Scenes with Middle School Science Teacher Kayla Norville [ep.15]

From Lab Coats to Experiments: Behind the Scenes with Middle School Science Teacher Kayla Norville [ep.15]

middle school science teacher

Check out the full episode on From Lab Coats to Experiments: Behind the Scenes with Middle School Science Teacher Kayla Norville:  

 

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Episode Summary

Since I was 5 years old, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. Whenever me and my younger brothers and sisters would play school, I would be the teacher. After I became an adult, I decided to live out my childhood dream and become a teacher with STEM being my favorite subject to teach. 

Did you know that there are so many types of teachers in the world? In today’s episode, we get to hear from middle school science teacher Kayla Norville! Kayla takes us behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a middle school science teacher, what led her to choose this STEM career, some of the fun projects she’s worked on with her students, and so much more. This episode is full of so many fun facts about her role as a middle school science teacher. Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about what it’s like to be a middle school science teacher.

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 Kayla Norville:

My name is Kayla, and I have a passion for all things middle school! I have a Ph.D. in STEM Education with a focus in science education. I do have teaching experience in science, as I mentioned before, but I also have some other experience that has help me to build a knowledge base to create rigorous, relevant, and engaging resources as well as the ability to help many teachers out with a variety of things.

I’ve had experience as a university supervisor for student teachers, been a cooperating teacher myself, and have researched and published literature on teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge. In addition, I have served as a STEM Coordinator in a middle school.

Saying all of that…my heart totally lies in middle school students and helping middle school teachers teach these wonderful students. I’m currently a content creator, curriculum designer, and a mentor for middle school science teachers!

Connect with Kayla: 

middle school science teacher

 

 

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.

environment education

Exploring Birds, Critters and Nature with Coordinator of Community Outreach & Environment Education Jeremy Pearson [ep.13]

Exploring Birds, Critters and Nature with Coordinator of Community Outreach & Environment Education Jeremy Pearson [ep.13]

environment education

Check out the full episode on Exploring Birds, Critters and Nature with Coordinator of Community Outreach & Environment Education Jeremy Pearson:  

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

Episode Summary

Have you ever been bird watching or just watched the birds you see when you’re outside? I recently added two bird feeders at my house, and after a few days, birds started coming to eat at my bird feeders. Nature is so fascinating, and there is so much you can learn about the animals and plants where you live. There are even people who research and explore nature where they live and teach others about it through different types of activities and adventures, which is what we are going to learn about in today’s STEM career quest!

In today’s episode, we get to hear from Jeremy Pearson, who is a Coordinator of Community Outreach and Environment Education. Jeremy takes us behind the scenes of what he does as a coordinator of community outreach and environment education. He also shares about some of the exciting things he gets to do in his job, what led him to this STEM career, and so much more. This episode is filled with so many exciting facts about his role as a Coordinator of Community Outreach and Environment Education. Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about what it’s like to be a Coordinator of Community Outreach and Environment Education.

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 Jeremy Pearson:

Jeremy Pearson is an Environmental Coordinator for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

With over 15 years of work in the environmental field Jeremy has done it all. From catching fish in Windsor, Ontario to flying into remote lakes in Thunder Bay, to sampling water and tracking wolves. Jeremy has had a passion for the environment ever since he was a child, catching fish and finding frogs with his family in Canada. Now, he has the pleasure of sharing his love of then environment with interested families and volunteers in Southern Ontario. From bird watching and Hoot n Howl events where Jeremy and his participants look for owls and coyotes to Learn to Fish events where people learn how to ethically and sustainably catch fish, Jeremy is always eager to share his passion for the environment.

When Jeremy isn't working he is camping, preparing for his next triathlon or cuddling up with his two kitties, Meep and Mr.Grr.

Connect with Jeremy: 

See a Coordinator of Community Outreach & Environment Education in Action:

education environment

education environment

environment education

environment education

environment education

environment education

environment education

 

 

 

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.

illustrator and speaker

Visualizing Science through Stories: Behind the Scenes with Children’s Book Author, Illustrator and Speaker Rachel Ignotofsky [ep.12]

Visualizing Science through Stories: Behind the Scenes with Children's Book Author, Illustrator, and Speaker Rachel Ignotofsky [ep.12]

illustrator and speaker

Check out the full episode on Visualizing Science through Stories: Behind the Scenes with Children's Book Author, Illustrator, and Speaker Rachel Ignotofsky  

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

Episode Summary

Have you ever done a school project where you had to research a new topic? You may have had to learn a lot of new facts that you had to share with your class. Did you know that there are people who do this for their STEM careers? They take the research they find and use it to write and illustrate their findings to teach others about this topic. The STEM career we’re going to explore today is what it’s like to be a non-fiction author and illustrator.

In today’s episode, we hear from illustrator and speaker Rachel Ignotofsky. Rachel is a New York Times Best Selling Author and Illustrator. She takes us behind the scenes of what it’s like to write and illustrate books that teach kids a variety of science topics. She also shares what led her to pursue this STEM career and so much more. This episode is filled with so many exciting facts about her role as an illustrator and speaker. Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about what it’s like to be a non-fiction author and illustrator.

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 Rachel Ignotofsky:

Rachel Ignotofsky is a New York Times bestselling author, illustrator, and designer. Rachel and her work have been featured in many print and online media outlets such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Scientific American, Science Friday, Brain Pickings, and more. She is the author of Women in Science, Women in Sports, Women in Art, The History of the Computer, and The Wondrous Workings of Planet Earth, What's Inside a Flower? and her newest book What's Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon? She is a graduate of Tyler School of Art's graphic design program.

Connect with Rachel: 

See a Non-Fiction Author, Illustrator, and Speaker in Action:

The History of the Computer “Bedtime Story” from Rachel Ignotofsky on Vimeo.

illustrator and speaker

illustrator and speaker

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.

industrial hygienist

Science Solutions for Environmental Health: Behind the Scenes with PhD Chemist and Certified Industrial Hygienist, Dr. Yasmine Daniels [ep.11]

Science Solutions for Environmental Health: Behind the Scenes with PhD Chemist and Certified Industrial Hygienist Dr. Yasmine Daniels [ep.11]

industrial hygienist

Check out the full episode on Science Solutions for Environmental Health: Behind the Scenes with PhD Chemist and Certified Industrial Hygienist Dr. Yasmine Daniels:  

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

Episode Summary

Have you ever noticed all of the ways you are kept safe at school? There are fire alarms that let you know when there is a fire. You even practice how to safely exit the building in case there ever is a fire. The air vents at your school blow out warm air when it’s cold outside and cold air when it’s hot outside. Did you know that there are people who make sure that each of these safety practices is working correctly? This STEM career is called an industrial hygienist.

In today’s episode, we get to hear from Dr. Yasmine Daniels, who is a PhD chemist and certified industrial hygienist. She shares behind the scenes of what it’s like to be a PhD chemist and industrial hygienist, the exciting things she gets to do on her job, and so much more! This episode is filled with so many exciting facts about her role as a PhD chemist and industrial hygienist. Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about what it’s like to be an industrial hygienist.

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

Follow along with the episode with the listening comprehension guide:

Grab it HERE in my TeachersPayTeachers Shop

Find it HERE inside the STEM Career Quest Club

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 Dr. Yasmine Daniels:

Yasmine Daniels has a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry with a focus on Environmental Remediation and has conducted research aimed at developing fundamental tools to help design eco-friendly ways of removing toxic substances (like heavy metals) from the environment. With over 20 international and peer-reviewed journal publications, she is well-known within the science and social media community as the “Classy Chemist.” Dr. Daniels is also an Adjunct Chemistry Professor, an Occupational Safety and Health professional and STEAM advocate. She currently works full time as a Certified Industrial Hygienist in the US government, reviewing and assessing industrial & chemical hazards.

She is also a full time mom and wife, volleyball coach and mentor..

In 2021, she wrote a bestselling children’s book, Building My Self-eSTEAM in Science which helps to motivate youth to pursue STEAM. Her book has since appeared on Amazon Bestselling lists in three individual STEAM categories:

  1. Children’s Engineering Books
  2. Children’s Computer Hardware and Robotics Books
  3. Children’s Math Fiction.

In 2023, she wrote an award-winning children’s book, Black and Brown are Beautiful Crayons too!, which was featured on ABC7 News, on a segment which highlighted books that inspired and uplifted children during a time when literacy rates had plummeted.

Dr. Daniels has been highlighted as a Chemist who is, “breaking barriers” by the American Chemical Society Axial Journal and as a “Chemist Star” by the Chemical and Engineering News Magazine. She has a passion for ensuring that students are provided the tools that foster an equitable learning environment and she hopes to continue to inspire and support youth through her work.

Connect with Dr. Yasmine: 

See an Industrial  Hygienist in Action:

industrial hygienist
Yasmine working in the lab.

 

industrial hygienist

industrial hygienist

industrial hygienist

industrial hygienist

 

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.

edupreneur

From Numbers to Knowledge: Behind the Scenes with Edupreneur, CEO & Founder of Math N’ More, Dr. Christopher Roblész [ep.10]

From Numbers to Knowledge: Behind the Scenes with Edupreneur, CEO & Founder of Math N' More, Dr. Christopher Roblész [ep.10]

edupreneur

Check out the full episode on From Numbers to Knowledge: Behind the Scenes with Edupreneur, CEO & Founder of Math N' More, Dr. Christopher Roblész  

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

Episode Summary

Did you know that we use math in everyday life and not just at school? I use math each time I go to the store to buy my cute little dog Frederick new fluffy toys when he rips apart his old ones. I have to check the price tag to see how much it costs and look at my budget to see how much money I can spend that’s within my budget. Math is literally all around us! In fact, there are people out there who do this for their job who help kids feel confident and excited about math and help them think through problems and how it is used in everyday life. Those people are called edupreneurs!

In today’s episode, we get to learn more about what it’s like to be an edupreneur from our special guest, Dr. Christopher Roblész. As an edupreneur, Roblész has taken his classroom teaching experience and turned it into a business. Roblész gives us an inside look at what it’s like to start a business as an educator, his favorite part about being an edupreneur, what led him to choose this STEM career, and so much more! This episode is such a fun one filled with so many exciting facts about being an edupreneur. Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about what it’s like to be an edupreneur.

 

Follow along with the episode with the listening comprehension guide:

Grab it HERE in my TeachersPayTeachers Shop

Find it HERE inside the STEM Career Quest Club

 

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 Dr. Christopher Roblész:

Dr. Christopher Roblész, the Founder and CEO of Math N’ More, is an experienced Mathematics enthusiast. Commencing his career in NYC in 2009 as a math interventionist, he has contributed to Math communities across the East Coast.

Throughout his educational career, Dr. Roblesz has undertaken various roles, including Math Interventionist, Network Math Specialist, Special Education Director, and School Administrator. When Dr. Roblész worked at SEED Miami, he achieved groundbreaking results as the 9th-grade cohort witnessed an outstanding 111% increase in passing scores on the Algebra 1 EOC within a single school year.

Approximately 60% of scholars attained Satisfactory – Mastery, surpassing both Miami Dade County Public Schools and the State of Florida on the Algebra 1 EOC (End-of-Course) exam. Dr. Roblész possesses a profound passion for Mathematics, holding professional teacher certification in Mathematics and Special Education across various states. He recently completed his Doctorate in Education in Applied Learning Sciences, Application of Metacognition in a Secondary Mathematics Classroom.

Beyond his dedication to education, Dr. Roblész enjoys flying and traveling, with his preferred vacation spot being Grand Turks.

Connect with Roblész

See an Edupreneur in Action:

Pi Day:

edupreneur
Pi Day Skyline (Image Courtesy of mathnmore.com)

edupreneur

 

 

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.

airline pilot in training

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

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

 

Subscribe to the podcast HERE on your favorite podcasting platform.

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.

aerospace engineer

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

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.

spacecraft systems engineer

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

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.

software engineer at NASA Goddard

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

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.