STEM Heroes

S1 E10- Jeremy Babendure- Global STEM Initiatives

In this episode of the STEM Heroes Podcast, host David Young interviews Dr. Jeremy Babendure, a scientist turned STEM education advocate. Dr. Babendure shares his journey from working with fluorescent proteins in the lab to launching the San Diego Science Festival and creating the Chief Science Officer program. He discusses how these initiatives have grown globally, connecting STEM education with workforce development. Learn about innovative approaches to engaging students in STEM, building community partnerships, and preparing the next generation for careers in science and technology.

S1 E9- Laurie Prewandowski- Integrating Drones in the Classroom

Join host David Young as he interviews Laurie Prewandowski, a technology integrator at Kearsarge Regional School District in New Hampshire. Laurie shares her experiences bringing drone technology into middle school classrooms to enhance STEM education. Key topics covered: * Laurie's role as a digital learning specialist * Using drones to teach math, science, and problem-solving skills * The Take Flight curriculum for drone education * Engaging girls in STEM through drone projects * Drone simulators and FPV racing drones in schools * Real-world applications of drone technology * Advice for educators looking to start STEM drone programs Discover how drones are revolutionizing education and preparing students for future careers in this insightful conversation about technology integration in schools. #STEMeducation #DronesinSchools #EdTech #MiddleSchoolSTEM

S1 E8- Amanda Bastoni- Empowering Middle School Girls with Drones

Join host David Young as he interviews Amanda Bastoni, an expert in STEM education and drone curriculum development. Amanda shares her journey from photography teacher to STEM advocate, and discusses her groundbreaking work with CAST, developing free drone curriculum for middle schools. Key topics include: * Innovative approaches to introducing drones in classrooms * Strategies for engaging girls in STEM * The importance of hands-on learning and reflection * Overcoming challenges in implementing drone programs * The future of drone education and its impact on STEM careers Whether you're an educator, STEM enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersection of technology and education, this episode offers valuable insights into making STEM accessible and exciting for all students. Don't miss Amanda's practical tips for teachers looking to integrate drones and robotics into their classrooms. Tune in to learn how drones are revolutionizing STEM education and inspiring the next generation of innovators!

S1 E7- Jason McKenna- Robotics in STEM Education

In this episode of the STEM Heroes podcast, host David Young talks to Jason McKenna of VEX Robotics. Jason shares his inspiring journey from being a classroom teacher who initially knew nothing about robotics, to falling in love with teaching STEM and coding through robotics. He provides a fascinating inside look at VEX Robotics, the largest STEM education provider in the world that engages millions of students from kindergarten through college. Jason discusses the immense value of robotics in developing critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, creativity and computational thinking in students. He gives insights into how schools can fund and implement robotics programs, whether through grants, corporate partnerships or their own budgets. A major highlight is Jason's description of the exciting VEX Robotics World Championship, where over 25,000 students from 70+ countries compete with robots they've designed and coded themselves. He shares incredible stories of students' enthusiasm, teamwork and ingenuity at these events. Throughout the conversation, Jason emphasizes the importance of embracing failure and complexity in the learning process, rather than just focusing on an end goal or final product. His advice is invaluable for teachers looking to bring more engaging, real-world STEM learning into their classrooms. Whether you're an educator, student, parent or simply someone passionate about STEM education, this inspiring episode provides a captivating look into the world of robotics competitions and their powerful impact on student learning.

S1 E6- Keith Pritchett- JROTC Instructor Integrates Drones into STEM Education

In this episode of the STEM Heroes podcast, host David Young talks with Keith Pritchett, a former Army helicopter pilot turned JROTC high school instructor in Alabama. Keith shares his fascinating background, including 26 years in the Army where he worked as an air traffic controller before becoming a helicopter pilot and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After retiring from the military, Keith became a JROTC instructor to continue mentoring and teaching youth. When Alabama provided funding for STEM education initiatives focused on computers or drones, Keith opted to integrate drones into his JROTC program. He found Drone Launch Academy to help teach his cadets to obtain their commercial drone pilot license (Part 107). Keith discusses how he incorporated the drone curriculum into his leadership lab classes, teaching topics like airspace, regulations and emergency procedures. He shares entertaining stories of his cadets' "aha" moments when complex concepts clicked. So far, eight of Keith's students have passed the Part 107 exam. Looking ahead, Keith plans to expand into drone mapping and have students use drones for tasks like monitoring parking lots during events. He even dreams of using drone mapping along with the school's robotics program to automatically paint parking lot lines! Tune in to hear this inspiring educator's innovative vision for using drones to prepare students for STEM careers.