For over 40 years, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) has supported the brightest minds in STEM, with its Astronaut Scholars making groundbreaking contributions—from launching payloads into space to pioneering agricultural innovations and advancing congenital heart disease research. The prestigious Astronaut Scholarship is known nationwide for being among the largest merit-based monetary scholarships awarded to college level STEM juniors and seniors. ASF has a life-long relationship with each Astronaut Scholar and provides them with mentors, professional and personal development and networking with astronauts, C-suite level executives and industry leaders to help advance their careers.

Started by members of the Mercury Seven, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has awarded over $10 million in scholarships to over 850 students.

What makes this scholarship truly special is its mentorship component: every Astronaut Scholar is paired with a mentor who guides their academic and professional growth. Now, in a full-circle moment, former Astronaut Scholars who once benefited from this mentorship are paying it forward as mentors themselves.

Tomas Collado is a 2024 Astronaut Scholar from Washington University in St. Louis studying mechanical engineering. His mentor Adero Paige is a 2004 Astronaut Scholar Alum who now also serves on ASF’s Board of Directors. Their stories illustrate the lasting impact of mentorship and the power of investing in the next generation of STEM leaders.

Connect with The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation:

• Website: astronautscholarship.org
• YouTube: @astroscholarfdn
• Instagram: @astronautscholarfdn

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

Support the show

When so many coding resources are just digital, it's great to see new resources that combine hands-on learning with on-screen coding.

Codie Blocks is a learning tool that brings the foundations of coding to children ages 3 to 7. Through a unique storytelling component with hands-on, block-based coding, Codie Blocks makes complex concepts approachable, fun, and developmentally appropriate.

Featuring the Mia & Codie series as seen on PBS member stations, Codie Blocks introduces characters and scenarios that help children build their skills as they think through situations in their everyday lives. The new Codie Blocks Block Dock brings coding to life for young learners through hands-on, screen-enhanced play. Designed for classrooms and homes, the Block Dock integrates seamlessly with the Codie Blocks App, pairing with lesson plans, activities, and interactive storytelling for a complete coding experience.

Caroline Rosenbloom is a Curriculum/Brand Ambassador at Codie Blocks, as well as a successful Principal and Instructional Leader in Canada.

Connect with Codie Blocks:

• Website: codieblocks.com
• YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCYSMmfIRgixy7SPxkijZuZA
• Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570616856924

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

Support the show

When can we begin teaching kids about coding and computer science? If you were to walk into Allen Tsui's classrooms, you'd see kids as young as 3 understanding and working with code. How can you start? Allen has some great ideas, and it just takes trying!

Allen Tsui is a Subject Specialist in Computing at Willow Brook Primary School Academy in London, UK. He has been the subject leader for Computing since September 2020 and specializes in teaching Computing to children as young as aged 3 (Nursery and Early Years) to 11 year olds (Year 6). Since September 2023, Allen has been on the path of the MA in STEM Education at King's College London, where he has been tasked with supporting a small group of GCSE as well as A-Level Computer Science students prepare for their examinations.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Intelino coding train sets intelino.com

Coding resources Scratch and Code.org

Robotical Marty robots robotical.io

Connect with Allen:

• Twitter/X: @tsuiallen
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allen-tsui-19b61623a/

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

Support the show