The STEM Class Podcast

In the world of STEM education, the Engineering Design Process (EDP) is always being discussed as an integral part of any worthwhile program.  What is the EDP and why are there so many variations of it? Join the STEM Class Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Kerry Tracy, founder of STEM CON and Beyond all about the EDP and how it compares to the scientific method. Highlights from this episode include: A side by side comparason of both methods

Join The STEM Class Podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Ken Sheel, cretor of Keva Planks.  These wooden planks are a major part of every STEM classroom and the Makerspace movement. What are Keva Planks?Origin of Keva nameComparason to other building toysApplying Keva Planks across the curriculum with sample activitiesBuilding the Resilence Muscle and Failing ForwardBlocks versus Planks designBall Run ChallengesClassroom MangementWorld Record for tallest Keva Plank TowerKeva Museum Displays at regional science centersDisplay for Dreamworks Shrek Castle What's next for Ken Scheel?   WEBSITE: Keva Planks YOUTUBE: MUSEUM EXHIBIT

Join The STEM Class podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Emily Morgan, co-author of the Picture Perfect STEM series. The series published by the NSTA features a wide array of elementary STEM lessons supported by the most popular picture books in classroom. Additional Topics Include: Most memorable teachers in schoolEarly teaching career7 Myths of STEMSTEM or STEAM or STREAM?Variations of the Engineering Design ProcessThe Power of Picture BooksPartnering with Karen Ansberry to write a STEM bookThe 5E Model of teaching STEM: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, EvaluateSample Books and Activities Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin solved a mystery that baffled all of FranceThe Inventors Secret: What Thomas Edison told Henry FordThe Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Lower and Upper Elementary level comparisonWhat a new STEM teacher should focus on in the classroomKeeping track of time and calling the students back on taskEssential supplies on a limited budgetPopular Picture Perfect STEM activity requiring minimal materialsProfessional development for teachersAdditional projects that Emily is working on

The talent portion of the Miss America pageant typically consists of contestants singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. All that changed when the most recent Miss America, Camille Schrier, carried out a STEM demonstration during her talent portion. The STEM Class Podcast host Anthony Arno talks with Schrier about her lifelong passion for science and her decision to showcase a STEM activity as part of her talent portion, and the reaction from other contestants. Additional topics covered include: Early educators who made a differenceTeachers as role modelsEarliest interest in scienceEntry into first beauty pageantDecision to present a STEM activity over performing arts during talent portionFollowing a passion for science Initial reaction from other contestantsMost unusual talent segments through the years of Miss AmericaThe final seconds before the winner is announcedComparing Miss America journey to the scientific methodOfficial platform as Miss America: Mind Your MedsHow to encourage girls and minorities to consider STEM careersHow the pandemic affected Miss America's reignCollaboration for 3M Science at Home seriesCooking Up Science with Miss America (PBS 9 part mini-series)Most memorable story as Miss America while visiting schoolsMost memorable souvenir received as Miss AmericaPassing the Miss America crown to the next recipientDoes Miss America get to keep the actual crown?What other STEM demonstrations were being considered for pageant? Final Minute before the Final Bell Morning Person or Night Owl: MorningMac or PC: MacFavorite Childhood Book: Millions of CatsFirst Paying Job: Parents CompanyFavorite TV Show: NewsLatest Music Download: Podcasts Unexpected Snow Day: Play with the dog in the snowNext Item on Bucket List: Travel Internationally

Louisiana state Teacher of the Year Nathalie Roy has taught Latin for most of her career, but was recently asked how she could incorporate STEM into her middle school curriculum.  After her initial research, Nathalie discovered that the ancient Romans literally wrote the book on technology from use of catapults to advanced construction techniques. Join The STEM Class podcast host Anthony Arno as he talks with Nathalie about the following: Story of an inspiring teacher (her own parents teaching Nathalie's high school classes)Transitioning from Latin to STEM teacherPopularity of Latin for middle schoolersFulbright to Italy to study classical Roman archeologyWhat can a STEM teacher learn from the Romans?Importance of Vitruvius in Roman historyAnalemmatic interactive sundialsTeaching STEM during the pandemicWhat should new STEM teachers focus on?Importance of focusing on the Engineering Design ProcessResistance from Latin teachers to teach STEMAnnouncing the Louisiana Teacher of the Year with a Mercedes Benz White House visit with President BidenImportant message for educators from TOYPlatform:  Trauma  Informed Resilient SchoolsLatest STEM Class: Myth MakersMost popular STEM challengesRecommended supplies for any STEM teacher An inspiring story from a former studentReflecting on the biggest mistake in her teaching careerA Great Course Series: Ancient Greek & Roman TechnologyNathalie's recommendations for STEM teachersMost exciting thing about being a STEM teacher today Final Minute Before the Final Bell Morning Person or Night Owl Morning Mac or PC Niether: Chromebook Favorite Childhood Book A Wrinkle in Time First Paying Job Selling popcorn at grandfather's movie theater Favorite TV Show Project Runway - Best maker show ever! Latest Music Download  The Disappearing Spoon Podcast One Famous Person You Would Invite for Dinner Stephen Sedaris or Dr. Stephen Ressler What would you do during an unexpected snow day? Build a snowman Next item on your bucket list? Trip to UK to see Roman archeological sites   Fact or Fiction? A fully loaded Kindle weighs the same as a brand new, factory sealed Kindle without any books on it?  Hear the truth on the podcast episode!   Email: Fabricatrix@gmail.com  WEBSITE: Creative Classics Video: Launching catapults during the pandemic Twitter: Nathalie Roy A Great Course Series: Greek & Roman Technology WEBSITE: Engineering with Paper  Quote: Acta Non Verba (Deeds, not words) Podcast: Peopling in the Past (Ancient Culture and People Who Study them)

Biosphere 2 was originally meant to demonstrate the viability of closed ecological systems to support and maintain human life in outer space.  Its mission was a two-year closure experiment with a crew of eight humans. Join host Anthony Arno, as he speaks with Deputy Director of Biosphere 2 John Adams about: Earliest memory of a teacher in school Academic background Is there a Biosphere I Biosphere II Size comparison Funding Biomes included Filling the ocean biome with sea water Easiest and Hardest biomes to maintain The Biosphere Lung Engineering Marvel Biosphere Challenges A failed experiment? Mental and Physical limitations Selection process for Biospherians Where are the biospherians today? Additional Biosphere missions LEO (Landscape Evolutionary Observatory) research project Educational programs for students in Grades K – 12 Biosphere accommodations for overnighters Professional Development for Educators Columbia University involvement with Biosphere 2 Feedback from locals on Biosphere 2

Dr. Frances Carter is a real life Rosie the Riveter. In 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attached, Carter left her studies to become a teacher to work in a Birmingham B-29 refurbishing factory. Join The STEM Class Podcast host Anthony Arno, as he talks with Carter about not only her life as a Rosie the Riveter, but as an educator as well. Highlights from the show include: Growing up during the DepressionRemembering December 7, 1941Job responsibilities as a Rosie the RiveterWearing pants and lipstick to work as a womanOpening up the STEM door for women in the workplaceMeeting her husband, John CarterJohn proposes to Fran while serving in the US Army in FranceThe American Rosie the Riveter ClubAnnual American Rosie the Riveter ConferenceFamous Rosie the Riveter postersWhat todays generation can learn from the WW II generationGood advice for teachers todayCelebrity status as a Rosie the Riveter Website: American Rosie the Riveter Association

At the age of 15 as a Navajo Native American, Peter MacDonald enlisted in the US Marines simply because he admired the official uniform.  Shortly after boot camp, he was recruited into a secret military program that would rely on a language that has no written form for what would later be known as a Navajo Code Talker. The code talkers were pivotal during the Battle of Iwo Jima, a 6week intense battle that resulted in 25,000 casualties on both sides.    From a group of 450 Navajo Native Americans, MacDonald is only one of five surviving Navajo Code Talkers and he shares his life experience with The Route 66 Podcast.  After the war, MacDonald was sworn to a code of secrecy for the next 23 years while working as a Project Engineer for Howard Hughes on The Polaris Missile Project.  MacDonald also served as a Chairman of the Navajo Nation for four terms. In addition to MacDonald, Route 66 realtor Jacque Kellogg talks about her initial reaction when a local motel owner in Flagstaff reluctantly decides to list the El Reno Motel on the market.  Unknown to her, Kellogg later learns that the motel has a historic place in history regarding the Navajo code talkers and the motel was later taken off the market. Episode Highlights Flagstaff realtor Jacque Kellogg talks about the El Reno Motel and role in recruiting Navajo code talkersPeter MacDonald’s earliest memory of Route 66Enlisting at the age of 15 into the US MarinesThe Native American art of storytellingUnderstanding a language with no written wordThe turning point on Iwo JimaA 23 year code of silence after returning homeA recent visit to the White HouseAn impressive career as a missile defense specialist with Howard HughesHopes of establishing a national Navajo code talkers museumWhat everyone should know about Navajo code talkersToday’s biggest challenges for the Navajo Nation Route 66 Patreon Program The Route 66 Podcast has launched a Patreon campaign, where you can pledge a monthly donation to help support both the podcast and 2021 Scholarship Program.  The Route 66 Scholarship Program not only includes awards for students in grades K – 12, but will include a 2021 college level award.  More information about the Patreon program, including monthly prizes for supporters can be found here.

Kobie Boykins, is the NASA Project Engineer for the solar panels on all of the Mars Rovers- Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and the newest project- Perseverance.   Boykins talks all about his most memorable teachers growing up, how he approaches playing with LEGO's and other toys with his young children, and NASA rovers that have jammed up at 150 million miles from earth and what was learned from that experience.   The STEM Class Podcast  is the show where teachers looking to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics into their classrooms can hear the latest ideas taking place by people just like you.   Whether you're teaching a specialized STEM class or you just want to sprinkle a bit of STEM into your everyday lessons, this is the place for all things STEM.   You’ll not only hear from STEM teachers, but also popular authors, and leaders in the STEM field to discuss best practices for incorporating STEM into your everyday teaching routine.  Be sure to catch both current and past episodes at TheSTEMClass.com.

Lynette Stant is the current Arizona State Teacher of the Year, teaching elementary school with a strong STEM emphpasis.  She is also the first Native American Teacher of the Year, as a member of the Navajo tribe. Join host Anthony Arno as he talks with Lynette all about the challenges that she faces as a teacher on a Reservation, her award winning grant of $500K to promote STEM in a district with less than 400 students, and what she expects to say to the President when she meets him.   The STEM Class Podcast is the show where teachers looking to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics into their classrooms can hear the latest ideas taking place by people just like you.   Whether you're teaching a specialized STEM class or you just want to sprinkle a bit of STEM into your everyday lessons, this is the place for all things STEM.   You’ll not only hear from STEM teachers, but also popular authors, and leaders in the STEM field to discuss best practices for incorporating STEM into your everyday teaching routine.  Be sure to catch both current and past episodes at TheSTEMClass.com.

The very first episode of The STEM Class Podcast features Andy Weir, author of The Martian and motion picture featuring Matt Damon. Andy talks about what it was like writing his very first book, The Martian, which took almost 10 years to write- and knowing whatever else he did would never be as big The Martian; the only 1 thing in the movie that might not be accurate but everything else could occur someday; and his thoughts on teaching STEM in the classroom. The STEM Class podcast is the show where teachers looking to incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics into their classrooms can hear the latest ideas taking place by people just like you.   Whether you're teaching a specialized STEM class or you just want to sprinkle a bit of STEM into your everyday lessons, this is the place for all things STEM.   You’ll not only hear from STEM teachers, but also popular authors, and leaders in the STEM field to discuss best practices for incorporating STEM into your everyday teaching routine.  Be sure to catch both current and past episodes at TheSTEMClass.com.

An introduction to The STEM Class Podcast, hosted by Anthony Arno. Arno successfully bicycled across America as a college student with the support of Calvin Klein while drawing attention towards the plight of cancer patients.  After college,  Arno worked as a social worker with disabled adults. Arno began his teaching career in Brooklyn and has received many awards and grants, including being named a 2003 Fulbright Memorial Fund recipient to Japan, participating in an Earthwatch study of the endangered spotted owl in the Sierra-Nevada region of California, participation in NASA’s Space Camp, and presenting at the annual NJEA Conference. In the 1990’s Arno used the schools only computer connected to the Internet to learn about historic Route 66 while his students bicycled 2000 miles aboard an exercise bicycle in the back of the classroom. During the year long teaching journey students corresponded with people living and working along the famed highway, including Chicago Mayor Daley and the songwriter Bobby Troup, who wrote the famous tune for Nat King Cole in 1946. Since the Route 66 experience,  Arno hosts a popular podcast highlighting the storied life of Route 66.  Guests include cast members from the animated Pixar-Disney classic CARS talking about the research of creating a movie highlighting Route 66, a German POW camp in Oklahoma that allowed the prisoners to work in the community to assist the local economy, and most recently the mayor of Times Beach, a once thriving community of 2,000 residents that was completely purged after dioxin was unknowingly sprayed on the dirt roads to suppress the dust.  To date, the town is the largest Superfund site in American history, having spent over $200 million during the 1980’s for a clean up.  Every home, every government vehicle, and even the water tower has been buried into a specially created vault the size of four football fields. Arno recently retired from teaching 5th grade in New Jersey and began his second teaching career in Pennsylvania as middle school  STEM teacher.  During the summer Arno has taught enrichment classes, including Soda Bottle Rockets, Micowave Cooking, History of Magic in America, and Forensics 101: The Lindbergh Trial. Arno has also hosted a podcast for educators that features talks with nationally recognized teachers.  A recent guest was former educator June Scobee Rogers, widow of Challenger Space Shuttle Commander Dick Scobee.  June talks candidly with Arno about being raised by a mentally ill mother,  marrying at the age of 16 so that she could raise her younger brothers, working with Teacher in Space Christa McAuliffe,  and life after Challenger, where she has created a network of space education centers that has benefited over 4 million children since the Challenger accident 30 years ago. In this inaugural episode of The STEM Class podcast, Arno talks about his background and upcoming guests on the podcast, including author of The Martian (Andy Weir) and a real life, 97 year old Rosie the Riveter.