The Power of (STEM)2

Series 9 Episode 3: Island STEAM - Engineering and Ecology that Includes 3D Island Building Activities for Students —  In the third episode of our Island STEAM series we explore 3D island modelling and building can enhance students understanding of science and engineers in ways that particularly benefit our visually exceptional learners. Like information presented in previous episodes, the physical construction of islands can be deeply steeped in place-based learning and direct observation of arctic, temperate, tropical, desert and/or volcanic islands as an individual/class based learning activity that can be shared with the rest of your school and families at...

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...

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 relat...

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 (cl...

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 an...

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 ocea...

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 re...

Series 8 Episode 5: 10 Graduate and Doctoral Research Topics in STEM for 2026 (Topics 9 & 10 key research areas) -  In the fifth episode of this series, we continue exploring the most important educational research topics in STEM & STEAM graduate and doctoral students might want to consider in 2026. In this episode we examine educational research needed in the area of STEM/STEAM micro credentials at both the secondary and post secondary levels that analyzes credential effectiveness, professional standards, and academic recognition for more advanced studies in vocational colleges or public universities. This episode also examines the importance of educational research in the value o...

Series 8 Episode 4: 10 Graduate and Doctoral Research Topics in STEM for 2026 (Topics 7 & 8 of 10 key research areas) -  In the fourth episode of this series, we continue exploring the most important educational research topics in STEM & STEAM graduate and doctoral students might want to consider in 2026. In this episode we explore educational research topics in STEM related the need to more fully understand how STEM/STEAM educators and educational systems interact and/or collaborate at the international level through meta-analysis, policy/organizational examination or other internationally based case analyses at the macro level of educational research. This episode also examines t...

Series 8 Episode 3: 10 Graduate and Doctoral Research Topics in STEM for 2026 (Topics 5 & 6 of 10 key research areas) -  In the third episode of 2026 we continue exploring the most important educational research topics in STEM & STEAM graduate and doctoral students might want to consider in 2026. In this episode we explore educational research topics in STEM related the need to more fully understand the diverse cultural taxonomies for learning and design in STEAM lessons for K-12 students. This includes STEAM studies related to indigenous and linguistically diverse populations. Other case or meta analysis needed in the areas of gender, exceptionality and socioeconomically v...

Series 8 Episode 2: 10 Graduate and Doctoral Research Topics in STEM for 2026 (Topics 3 & 4 of 10 key research areas) -  In the second episode of 2026 we continue exploring the most important educational research topics in STEM & STEAM graduate and doctoral students might want to consider in 2026. In the second episode we explore educational research topics in STEM related the need to more fully understand the developmental taxonomy of children’s conceptions and misconceptions of STEAM based on theoretical model analysis and assessment design. The fourth educational research topic relates to how the use of educational AI tools and softwares impacts K-12 learners con...

Series 8 Episode 1: 10 Graduate and Doctoral Research Topics in STEM for 2026 (Topics 1 & 2 of 10 key research areas) -  In the first episode of 2026 we explore the most important educational research topics in STEM & STEAM graduate and doctoral students might want to consider in 2026. In the first episode we explore educational research topics in STEM related  the need to understand rapidly changing educational policies related to the STEM fields and education in Mexico, the United States and Canada as large scale quantitative educational studies. The second of ten research topics in STEAM education explores the need to better understand how the ch...

Series 7 Episode 5: The Big News in Science and Education in North America for 2025 - In the final episode for Series 7 we focus on the big science and education news in Mexico, the United States and Canada. Canada sees a surge in science research investment while there are significant reversals and funding challenges in the United States and Mexico in a critical time for STEM education and investment. We also explore three major science news topics as it relates to STEM teaching and learning including the possible discovery of fossilized life on Mars, rising cases of Measles in Canada a...

Series 7 Episode 4: The Unsung Heroes of Science Education - Elementary School Teachers - In the fourth episode we focus on the unsung heroes of science education - elementary school teachers! As academic generalists, elementary school teachers bring a lot to the table when it comes to teaching and learning in STEM. Educational strengths including their understanding of cross-curricular learning, cognitive development/understanding of children’s science ideas, and deep knowledge of student diversities & how to adapt lessons for diverse learners. We also discuss the most common challenges for elementary school teachers including the lack of professional development opportunities, bui...

Series 7 Episode 3: Understanding the Environmental & Labour Costs of AI in STEM Education - In the third episode we explore how the environmental and labour impacts of new AI technologies may be impacting educational systems. Like earlier episodes in this series, we start by exploring how transformational technologies such as refrigeration and lead fuel cars and trucks may have benefitted society but also carried huge environmental issues as it relates to CFCs degrading the Earth’s ozone layer and the public health impacts of leaded gasoline which were generally mitigated through public policy and further technological innovation. In education, the...

Series 7 Episode 2: STEM Education Opportunities in the United States and Beyond - In the second episode we explore how historical failures in STEM education including closing the US Department of Education in the United States as a model includes opportunities to re-imagine STEM education both in the United States and beyond. Like the first episode, we look at the history of public schools and how they were historically expanded due to technological, industrial and economic advancements during the industrial revolution and cold war eras. It is likely that technological innovation, combined with an increasingly complex international economic systems w...

Series 7 Episode 1: STEM Education at Risks in the United States and Beyond -  In the first episode we explore how the decision to shutter the US Department of Education in the United States will likely negatively impact STEM education at both the state and international levels. Starting with a historical discussion of federal involvement in STEM education since the landmark 1983 A Nation At Risk Report, this episode explores the likely risks and negative impacts to STEM education as it relates to curriculum standards, educational funding, professional development, and supporting STEM education for at risk and underserved schools and c...

Series 7 Episode 3: Understanding the Environmental & Labour Costs of AI in STEM Education - In the third episode we explore how the environmental and labour impacts of new AI technologies may be impacting educational systems. Like earlier episodes in this series, we start by exploring how transformational technologies such as refrigeration and lead fuel cars and trucks may have benefitted society but also carried huge environmental issues as it relates to CFCs degrading the Earth’s ozone layer and the public health impacts of leaded gasoline which were generally mitigated through public policy and further technological innovation. In education, the...

Series 7 Episode 2: STEM Education Opportunities in the United States and Beyond - In the second episode we explore how historical failures in STEM education including closing the US Department of Education in the United States as a model includes opportunities to re-imagine STEM education both in the United States and beyond. Like the first episode, we look at the history of public schools and how they were historically expanded due to technological, industrial and economic advancements during the industrial revolution and cold war eras. It is likely that technological innovation, combined with an increasingly complex international economic systems w...

Series 7 Episode 1: STEM Education at Risks in the United States and Beyond -  In the first episode we explore how the decision to shutter the US Department of Education in the United States will likely negatively impact STEM education at both the state and international levels. Starting with a historical discussion of federal involvement in STEM education since the landmark 1983 A Nation At Risk Report, this episode explores the likely risks and negative impacts to STEM education as it relates to curriculum standards, educational funding, professional development, and supporting STEM education for at risk and underserved schools and c...

Series 6 Episode 6: (STEAM)2, Bonus Episode -The Future of Artemis & STEM in 2025: 
In this bonus episode we look at the future of Artemis and biggest challenges in K-12 STEM education in 2025. More specifically, we look at the increasing challenges of science misconceptions and skepticism emerging in three key areas of science including research and education tied to climate science, the human body, and microscopic diseases. Recent elections in the United States and other parts of the world including significant research and policy changes within science, research and educational agencies suggest the need for increase efforts in climate literacy, p...

Series 6 Episode 5: (STEAM)2 - Multicultural STEAM and the Language of NASA's Artemis: This is a special series focused on my work at the national NSTA conference in New Orleans. In the 5th episode we explore mathematics and multicultural inclusion. More specifically we explore the language of NASA’s Artemis  program as it relates to multicultural inclusion in STEAM. Like its predecessor Apollo, the reich and complex language associated with Artemis provides a educational matrix for language development and understanding the diversity of cultures and people engaged in in lunar exploration as illuminated in some of the participating nations inv...

Series 6 Episode 4: (STEAM)2, The Art of Moonbases and Egg-o-nauts!: In the 4th episode we explore STEAM, Art and Aesthetic Design. In addition to talking about the private and public sectors design and work together in building the complex Artemis rockets, rovers, robots, and habitats together, we explore the creative elements connected to the arts and aesthetic design as it relates to transforming creative curiosity and problem solving into testable concepts in STEAM. More specifically, this episode explores the importance of including and infusing art into Artemis lessons as a way to help students imagine themselves as future participants in lunar...

Series 6 Episode 3: (STEAM)2 - Robots on the Moon and in Your Schools: In the 3rd episode we explore STEAM and exceptional learning. In addition to exploring robotics we explore the importance of inclusive and exceptionally based STEAM lessons and activities based on a learning model developed in a report called spiceE. We also discussed multi-sensory and team projects that are asset-based that can be connected to NASA’s Artemis program as well. In the news we look at NASA’s Astrobee and LASSIE robotics programs for Artemis 2 and introducing a VEX 123 lunar robotics challenge at the NSTA Conference in New Orle...

Series 6 Episode 2: (STEAM)2 - NASA Artemis Lunar Robotics Challenge: In the second episode, we explore STEAM and transformative learning. Like its predecessor program Apollo, there is a tremendous amount of innovation in technology evident in NASA’s Artemis program including the infusion of robotics, AI and 3D printing discussed in this episode. Artemis educators are also using media and technologies in novel ways to help students see the connection between these emerging technologies and society. In the news we look at NASA’s main rocket called the Space Launch System and comparing it to the SpaceX system that will...

Series 6 Episode 1: (STEAM)2, NASA and New Orleans NSTA Conference : In the first episode of (STEAM)2 we layout the purpose of this series which is to explore NASA’s Artemis 2 Program within the context of the (STEAM)2 learning model for K-8 educators. Then focus on STEAM and Society as it relates to lessons about Artemis 2. For teachers we explore the Artemis Accords which are an international science and research agreement related to lunar exploration that illuminates how this program may connect with students all around the world. We also discuss place-based learning connected astronaut training in Iceland imagining how hum...

In this bonus episode, we look at the rare emergence of two broods of cicadas in North America and how this rare double emergence of Broods 13 and 17 has not been seen in over two centuries. As trillions of noisy cicadas complete their life cycle, we discuss the benefits to ecosystems and share articles on how people celebrate cicadas around the world. In the news we share articles on Broods 13 and 17 (click here) and National Geographic resources four kids and schools (click here and click here). (Podcast 5E6).

Series 5 Episode 5: Earth Day Episode - How Can AI Protect Wildlife and Teach Families About Nature? 


Earth Day special education we look at ways AI is being utilized by scientists and wildlife experts to protect rare and endangered species around the world (click here). We also examine how NASA is utilizing AI to better predict extreme weather in order to help local communities (click here). The main part of our show explores a theoretical model of dynamic interpretive software that helps children in the primary grades learn about nature and environmental t...

Series 5 Episode 4: Thematic Experimentation and Prototyping with 6-8 Grade Students - Using AI for Thematic Problem Solving and Experimentation in STEM: 

What role does AI play in early secondary education? In Episode 4, we begin exploring AISE at the secondary levels in Grades 7-9 by introducing a forth class and educational model of science education that includes AI modelling and early prototyping of STEM tech that includes early AI coding and other elements. Secondary AISE also explores how lessons, topics and ideas beyond the local and regional cosmos that is more evident in e...

Series 5 Episode 3: Science Fairs and Experimentation with 3-5 Grade Students - Using AI for Phenomenon-Based Experimentation That Includes Authentic Testing and Critical Analysis: What role does AI play in the elementary school science fair? In Episode 3, we explore how the science fair might be transformed and enhanced by allowing students to utilize educational AI to explore experimental ideas which are then tested by the students to evaluate, confirm and/or further refine student ideas about the relationship between AI experimentation/modelling and actual physical testing and experimentation. Within this context, 3-6 Grade students participating in science fair...

Series 5 Episode 2: What role might AI play in K-3 science education?: Episode 2 starts by noting the value of science learning for K-2 students on “hands-on” and directly observable phenomenon about the “Local Cosmos” as experienced by children in these grade levels. As a result digital and virtual learning with AI technologies plays a minimal role as the educational focus within these grades is to provide foundational awareness and experiences that encourage children to observe and explore natural phenomenon about their “Cosmic” experiences in nature and 3D tech building that is predominately mechanical rather than digital in nature. Educational AI, when uti...

Series 5 Episode 1: Exploring “The Cosmos” with K-12 Students Augmented by AI - A Developmental Model for Science Educators: In Episode 1 of our fifth series we start with a discussion on phenomenon-based learning in science education. Starting with real life examples of how science researchers and developers utilize AI in medical research, wildlife conservation, and the development of advanced tech (robotics and rockets), we examine how AI might be used with K-12 students within the context of augmented phenomenon based learning related to a child’s understanding of “The Cosmos”. A brief taxonomy of educational AI tech (some existing - others i...

Series 4 Episode 5 (Bonus Episode): Big School Birdwatch in Britain and Nature Journaling - In the fifth bonus episode of Series 4 we will be exploring a fantastic birding program in Great Britain by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. The Big School Birdwatch of 2024 (https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/get-ready-for-big-schools-birdwatch) is one of the largest school and citizen science projects in Great Britain and serves as an excellent model at school and community partnerships. The Big School Birdwatch also provides teachers and students with the opportunity to combine writing and art together through the use of...

Series 4 Episode 4: STEM 2023 in Review and Plans for 2024 - In the fourth episode of Series 4 we will be looking at the biggest news articles in science (India's Rover) & (NASA's Bennu Program via Smithsonian), Technology (ht(AI Innovation via Smithsonian), and Engineering (Uht(US Fusion Engineering via CNN)lcompleting three summer engineering challenges students can complete and share at home. In the news we will be discussing engineering wonders from the United States.

Libraries, Museums, Parks and other STEM Programs - In the third episode we will be discussing free and low cost STEM programs and activities for children. In the news we will be discussing informal science activities for children in Canada (click here). You can find information on Canada's Live-it Program here as well (https://liveit.earth/).

Series 4 Episode 2: Finding STEM in Nature: In Episode 2 of our fourth series we are going to explore STEM activities students can easily complete in backyards, local parks, and other common outdoor settings. We will be connecting our outdoor adventures in nature to science journals and other writing/drasing activities. In the news we will be talking about Audubon Bird Count (click here) and UK's Big School's Birdwatch 2024 (click here).

Series 4 Episode 1: A Summer of STEM Explorations - In the first episode of our fourth series we will be exploring summer STEM activities that teachers and students can complete on their own or with family and friends over the summer. You can download the 2023 Summer STEM bookmark by clicking the link (bookmark) on our homepage. In the news we will be looking at summer gaps and opportunities for student learning (UK Report on Education Recovery): (Podcast S4-E1 Coming Soon)

Series 3 Episode 4: Multicultural STEM with Seeds from All Around the World - In the fourth episode of Series 3 we will be examining multiculturally inclusive gardens that can be cooperatively designed by diverse students and their families working in partnership with teachers and other garden experts. Our discussion will be based on a recent capstone project by Allegra Watson at the University of California, Davis (click here). In the news we will be discussing indigenous and First Nations garden projects from Canada (click here) and Australia (click here).

In the third episode we will be discussing Exceptional STEM ideas and practices for students in special education as it relates to learning about plants and gardens. In the news we will be discussing a special school garden project from England (click here). The Lane County School Garden Resource (click here) on the benefits and challenges of exceptional gardening will be explored as well.

In Episode 2 of our third series we are going to explore common misconceptions 5, 10 and 15 year olds have about plants and food systems. In the news we will be discussing research on protecting agricultural biodiversity (click here) and the use of drones and robotics in agriculture (click here). We will also be discussing the value of school gardens in K-12 education.