Cameron Ross is a Digital Learning Coach and teacher in Melbourne, Australia. His role includes helping teachers build ICT (Information, Communication, Technology) skills and make sure that they're not just using "tech for tech's sake." His classroom duties allow him to model lifelong learning for students while teaching them important computing skills.

Connect with Cameron:

• Twitter/X @cameronross3

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

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2024 begins the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, which empowers public school students in grades 6–12 to leverage STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to develop innovative solutions that address pressing local issues in their communities. Each year, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow awards more than $2 million in Samsung technology and classroom supplies to participating schools throughout the U.S.

The competition format incorporates video-based storytelling, building support for a concept, and live pitch presentations emulating the real-life environment STEM students face in higher education and the STEM workspace.

The Application Process

U.S. public middle and high school educators are encouraged to submit applications now through Thursday, October 24, 2024. The entry application asks teachers to answer just three questions, sharing an initial idea outlining how students would use STEM to address a critical need in their local community. And educators don’t have to be a STEM teacher to apply—History, Arts, Physical Education teachers, coaches, and administrators from public schools are all welcome!

To learn more about the annual contest, and for official contest rules, please visit samsung.com/solvefortomorrow.

(Listen to Ep 253, Ep 232, & Ep 217 for more ideas & info from Ann and contest winning teachers and Ep 246 for a conversation with Ann about the future of STEM education)

Connect with Solve for Tomorrow :

• Website samsung.com/solvefortomorrow
• Email solvefortomorrow@sea.samsung.com
• Twitter/X @SamsungNewsUS
• Instagram @solvefortomorrow
• Facebook facebook.com/SamsungSolveForTomorrow

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

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Kari Byron & Jenny Buccos are here to share all about the 2nd Annual National STEM Festival. EXPLR’s National STEM Festival inspires kids nationwide to engage with STEM, a mission more crucial than ever as we advance towards a technology-driven future and workforce.

Submissions for the 2025 National STEM Festival are open to young innovators across all 50 states and all U.S. territories until October 20, 2024. Top-scoring students, along with a caregiver, will receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, DC for the National STEM Festival, where they will share their project, network with top business and government leaders, and learn skills that will equip them for meaningful careers in the future.
Also, check out the Live & On-Demand conversations with people in super STEM careers on the National STEM Challenge website

EXPLR’s commitment to education includes work on a bill to establish National STEM Week, which will enhance STEM pathways for students across the country. The National STEM Week bill was introduced to Congress by U.S. Representatives Mike Carey (R-OH) and Joyce Beatty (D-OH).

Kari Byron (former member of Mythbusters) and Jenny Buccos are the Co-Directors of the National STEM Challenge and Co-Founders of EXPLR.
(Learn more about the origin of the National STEM Challenge from Kari on Ep 255)

Connect with The National STEM Challenge:

• Website nationalstemchallenge.com
• Twitter/X: @national_stem
• Instagram: @nationalstemfestival
• EXPLR Website explr.com

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

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Foldscope is the paper microscope that combines low-cost materials with precision optics. This innovation results in microscopes that are both high-quality and affordable, with a range of magnifications (50X-340X). From tiny microorganisms to larger samples like insects, plants, fabrics, and tissues, Foldscope can inspire kids to see beyond their own eyes wherever they may be! Foldscope can also attach to mobile phones for imaging and is very portable, durable, and waterproof. With that versatility, the possibilities are endless!
Look for the new projection microscope soon!

Connect with Foldscope:

• Website: foldscope.com
• YouTube: @FoldscopeInstruments
• Twitter/X: @TeamFoldscope
• Facebook: @foldscope
• Instagram: @teamfoldscope
• Microcosmos (where people can post their Foldscope pictures and videos): microcosmos.foldscope.com
• Foldscope Blogs (to get ideas for things to look at and explore): foldscope.com/blogs/blog
• Learn more from Ep 204: dailystem.com/2021/06/11/stem-everyday-204-inexpensive-microscopes-for-everywhere-feat-jim-cybulski/

Holly Stuart is an Education Specialist at Foldscope and has spent the last 10 years as a science educator in both indoor and outdoor classrooms. She uses her background in Chemistry and Environmental Studies to seek out innovative teaching techniques to use with students. As an avid outdoor person, Holly takes her Foldscope with her on every hike and enjoys making new discoveries in the microcosmos. Holly is excited to help get Foldscopes into the hands of teachers and students so they can experience the joy of discovery as well.

Connect with Holly:

• email: holly@foldscope.com
• Twitter/X: @hollyastuart

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

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Kim Collazo was a public school educator for over 30 years, with experience as a 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classroom teacher as well as an elementary STEM Specialist and Digital Integration Facilitator. Working in Regular Ed, Special Ed, Academically and Intellectually Gifted, and two cycles of National Board Certification, Kim built a passion for integrating technology and engineering in relevant ways at the elementary level. She continues to help educators by helping the curriculum development team at Drone Legends.

Kim fulfilled a life-long dream to become a picture book author when she began her Emersyn Blake series, named after her first grandchild.

Find out about the CAMOES Mission Kim talked about

Connect with Kim:

• Website: collazocove.com
• Twitter/X: @kcollazo

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

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Sharon Hagle is an entrepreneur and astronaut who founded SpaceKids Global™ in 2015 with the mission to inspire STEAM+ Environment Education, with the goal of bringing the possibility of space to children.

SpaceKids Global, a Florida-based national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating elementary students in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics), and Blue Origin’s nonprofit Club for the Future, announced the winners of the 2024 SpaceKids Press Squad Competition. The competition will give eight lucky students from across the U.S. the opportunity to travel to Orlando, FL, visit Blue Origin’s Rocket Park manufacturing facility, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and receive press training from a professional journalist.

Selected from over 1,100 entries across all 50 states, the eight lucky winners include:

• Zone 1: Noelle, age 11, Bellevue, Washington.
• Zone 2: Tobias, age 10, Ronan, Montana
• Zone 3: Nevaya, age 9, Bismarck, North Dakota
• Zone 4: Anahita, age 11, West Lafayette, Indiana
• Zone 5: Alethea, age 12, Burton, West Virginia
• Boys and Girls Clubs: Zoey, age 11, Orlando, Florida
• First Responder: Vivian, age 11, Ft. Collins, Colorado
• U.S. Military: Malaki, age 8, Mexico, New York

The SpaceKids Press Squad will meet with Club for the Future Ambassadors from Blue Origin, including engineers, spacecraft designers, and managers, to interview and learn about their careers and experiences. The Press Squad may also watch the official live webcast of a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launch taking place at Launch Site One in West Texas from the Blue Origin Mission Control center in Florida.

Follow SpaceKids Global to learn more about each winner leading up to the Orlando adventure. For more information about SpaceKids Global’s mission and to stay up to date on future events, visit spacekids.global

Learn more on Episode 266 of the STEM Everyday Podcast

Connect with SpaceKids Global:

• Website: www.spacekids.global
• Twitter/X: @spacekidsglobal
• YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCBbnk-mxgfULHMYkuVhCmKQ
• Facebook: @thespacekidsglobal
• Instagram: @spacekidsglobal

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

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Creating opportunities for young people to learn about patents by introducing invention education and IP literacy is an important part of STEM learning.
Lauren Strechay and Nicolette Buonora, recently graduated high school students, developed the Battery Swap System as their solution in a classroom challenge. After continued iteration, their Battery Swap System was recognized at the US National Invention Convention, earning a patent sponsorship and a finalist award, propelling Lauren and Nicolette to the global convention and ultimately a USPTO patent approval.
From the US Patent and Trademark Office, Juan Valentin is an education program advisor in the USPTO's Students and Learners Division in the Office of Public Engagement, where he is responsible for the development and implementation of educational projects of national and international scope, with a particular emphasis on directing and coordinating the development of STEM, design-thinking, or invention-focused projects infused with intellectual property (IP) concepts. A significant part of Juan's job is cultivating relationships and finding areas for collaboration with external organizations, academic institutions, and federal agencies.

Prior to joining the Students and Learners Division, Juan was a patent examiner at the USPTO for 12 years, specializing in the art of optical measuring and testing devices. Juan holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Clarkson University.

Resources & Opportunities mentioned by Juan:

• Kids, students, and educators | USPTO
• National Summer Teacher Institute | USPTO
• EquIPHQ (uspto.gov)
• Master Teacher of Invention and Intellectual Property Education Program (MTIP) | USPTO

Learn more about Lauren & Nicolette's Battery Swap invention in this news story

Connect with The USPTO:

• Website: uspto.gov
• email: education@uspto.gov
• Twitter/X: @uspto
• YouTube: @USPTOvideo
• Facebook: facebook.com/uspto.gov
• Instagram: @uspto

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

Tara Koehler and John Sammon have been educators in New York for over 20 years. From their roles in classrooms to their current roles as instructional coaches, they don't lead from the sidelines. They get right in the game with the teachers to help them incorporate STEM, STEAM, and PBL in practical and efficient ways.
In addition to their classroom work, they provide PD with STEAM learning, steammachinepd.com, and just wrote a book outlining their best ideas for PBL,

The Tapas Approach to Project Based Learning, presents an innovative perspective on PBL by advocating a 'small bites' methodology. This approach emphasizes the benefits of breaking down complex educational concepts and processes into manageable, digestible segments, much like enjoying a variety of tapas in a meal.

Tara says "students learn best by doing rather than being told, and learning is not one-size-fits-all. Students should be actively engaged in their learning." John agrees, "my intentions are to deepen understanding through authentic learning experiences, where children engage with fundamental questions about the world and how humans have investigated and found answers to those questions."

Connect with Tara & Mike:

• Website: pbltapas.com
• Website for their PD: steammachinepd.com
• Twitter/X: @steammachinepd
• Twitter/X for John: @SammonSTEAM
• Twitter/X for Tara: @TKtalksSTEAM

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