The Power of (STEM)2

(STEM)2 S9E2 Island STEAM - How Arctic, Desert and Tropical Islands are Utilizing Science and Technology in Schools and Society

In the second episode of our Island STEAM series we explore how science and technology are utilized in helping islands adapt to the technological and environmental challenges posed by climate change explored in our first episode. More specifically we look at how Greenland is using long range drones to document receding ice pack and how small Pacific Island nations and the Canary Islands are integrating renewable energy systems to build more resilient energy and water purification systems. Each of these examples illuminates just one of thousands of ways diverse island communities are adapting in the 21st century that can also be utilized in teaching and learning activities. (Coming Soon) News Link: Windracer Drones in Greenland Climate Research [https://www.meteorologicaltechnologyinternational.com/news/climate-measurement/windracers-ultra-drones-to-be-deployed-in-greenland-on-glacier-surveying-mission.html] News Link: Pacific Island Nations Invest in Renewable Energy [https://theconversation.com/how-pacific-nations-plan-to-go-from-spending-up-to-25-of-gdp-on-fossil-fuels-to-running-on-100-renewables-269402] News Link: Using Tidal Energy to Desalinate Water in the Canaries [https://www.offshore-energy.biz/canary-islands-kick-off-wave-powered-desalination-initiative/]

Series 9 Episode 1: Island STEAM - Why Teachers & Students Should Explore Island Life in Schools

Series 9 Episode 1: Island STEAM - Why Teachers & Students Should Explore Island Life in Schools —  In the first episode of our Island STEAM series we explore STEAM education within the context of the world’s diverse islands and communities. There more than 600,000 diverse islands around the world with at least 11,000 of them inhabited by people. More specifically, we explore how large scientific studied phenomenon such as climate change impact Arctic, desert and tropical islands around the Earth. More specifically we look at how teachers can use islands in STEAM as diverse models for scientific research and change as it relates to how diverse communities adapt to significant environmental challenges in the 21st century. In the news we discuss how Pacific Islander secondary students are advocating for increased scientific literacy in schools and communities and the UN’s recent report on how rising sea levels threaten many low lying islands and communities.

(STEM)2 S8E8 Earthday - Integrating Diverse Questioning in STEAM Lessons & Activities

Series 8 Bonus Episode 8: Integrating Multicultural & Environmental Questioning into Earth Day STEAM Lessons/Activities  -  In this bonus episode of the 8th series, we explore the importance of integrating critical questioning strategies into STEAM lessons and activities. More specifically, for Earthday lessons, we look at ways to tie inquiry based learning around the value of community-based and multiculturally inclusive approaches to Earthday lessons for teachers and students. Connecting your lessons to diverse communities, cultures, and ecologies is an increasingly essential skill in todays AI and increasingly robotic world. In the news we look at the environmental impact of AI (click here) [https://www.earthday.org/the-true-price-of-every-chatgpt-prompt/] and seaside robots studying salt water intrusion and climate change (click here [https://insideclimatenews.org/news/27092025/california-san-rafael-startup-sea-level-rise-ai-solution/]) as secondary case studies for school discussions.

(STEM)2 S8E7 - EarthDay News in STEAM Education

Series 8 Bonus Episode 8: EarthDay News in STEAM Education  -  In this bonus episode of the 8th series, Michael explores changing seasons and STEAM news related to April’s Earth Day. In world with major events, it is particularly important for primary and secondary teachers to find ways to get learners outside into nature and/or develop lessons showcasing how different societies and local communities are addressing many of the most significant challenges as it relates to climate change and healthy environments both now and into the future. In the news we look at conservation rates in the world’s oceans and partnerships between small island nations and governments and universities on Canada’s West Coast.

Series 8 Bonus Episode 6: Vygotsky, Piaget, Driver and New Research in Children’s Cognitive Development in the Age of AI

Series 8 Bonus Episode 6: Vygotsky, Piaget, Driver and New Research in Children’s Cognitive Development in the Age of AI  -  In this bonus episode of the 8th series, the host explores the need to revisit Piaget’s Stage Theories, Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development and Driver’s seminal work on understanding children’s conceptions and misconceptions in science. Revisiting this work is particularly important in AI as a flawed educational technology that hallucinates may impact children’s understanding of science and nature in a wide variety of unknown ways. The episode ends with a call for new educational research that explores children’s cognitive development in science in the Age of AI in order to better understand both the benefits and possible impacts AI and other generative technologies may have on children’s ideas and conceptions of nature and STEAM.