The STEM Space

Vivify STEM

Two engineers turned educators discuss resources, tips, and current events within the scope of STEM education.

  1. How to Turn Off Your Selective Attention

    18 HR AGO

    How to Turn Off Your Selective Attention

    Show Summary: What if turning off your selective attention could actually make you more creative? In this episode of The STEM Space, we explore how the brain filters information—and why loosening that filter might be the secret to innovation. You’ll also meet Ellen Swallow Richards, the chemist, environmental scientist, and sanitary engineer who transformed public health by revealing the hidden dangers in everyday water. Plus, we highlight several accidental scientific discoveries that changed the world in unexpected ways. Don’t forget to grab the free lesson that goes along with this week’s STEMist spotlight, and stick around for the latest STEM news from around the world! STEMist SPOTLIGHT: Ellen Swallow Richards (1842-1911) was an American chemist and a pioneer in environmental science and public health. Ellen became the first woman admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she studied chemistry and later worked as a researcher. Richards is best known for her work testing water quality and identifying pollution in drinking water, helping to establish modern sanitation and environmental safety standards. She also founded the field of home economics, applying science to everyday life, including nutrition and hygiene. Her work improved public health and changed how communities think about clean water and healthy living. As always, we have a free student activity that goes with our featured STEMist that you can find in our STEM Explorer Library using the image to the left or the link below (listed in under Vivify STEM Lessons). Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 48. What Is In Our Air? 205. Can You See Stuff in Your Head? 36. Are You A Visualizer? Vivify STEM Blog Posts Top 10 Ways to Encourage Girls in STEM A Neuroscientist’s Top 5 STEM Activities for Kids and Families! How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward Vivify STEM Lessons FREE! - Featured STEMist Lesson: Ellen Swallow Richards FREE! - What is in the Air? - A Middle School Environmental Science Unit STEM Creativity Tools: 5 Activities to Boost Brainstorming Power Mars Soil Testing STEM Mission (pH, Acids, Bases) Women in STEM BINGO Game Women in STEM History Engineering Challenges Bundle Who is an Engineer or Scientist? STEM Career Game & Activity Other STEM Resources Publications by Ellen Swallow Richards YouTube: Selective Attention Test That Fatigue You Feel Might Just Boost Your Creativity | Psychology Today In STEM News Why Mosquitoes Always Find You -Scientists from Georgia Institute of Technology and Massachusetts Institute of Technology discovered that mosquitoes don’t follow each other—instead, they independently respond to the same cues, especially carbon dioxide from breath and dark visual targets like clothing. Using 3D tracking and millions of data points, researchers found that the combination of CO₂ and dark colors is what most strongly attracts mosquitoes, helping explain their behavior and offering new ideas for more effective mosquito control. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260322020247.htm How Beavers Are Fighting Climate Change - Scientists found that beavers can transform rivers into powerful carbon-storing systems by building dams that create wetlands and trap carbon-rich materials. Over time, these beaver-shaped environments can store significantly more carbon than normal streams—making them a surprising and natural ally in reducing climate change. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260322020245.htm Keep Your Eyes Open - A study from Shanghai Jiao Tong University found that closing your eyes in noisy environments can actually make it harder to hear faint sounds. Researchers discovered that visual input, especially images or videos related to the sound, helps the brain focus, while closing the eyes causes over-filtering that can block out important sounds. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260320073819.htm THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP VIVIFY INSTAGRAM VIVIFY FACEBOOK VIVIFY X VIVIFY TIKTOK VIVIFY YOUTUBE

    38 min
  2. Can You See Stuff In Your Head?

    20 MAR

    Can You See Stuff In Your Head?

    Show Summary: In this episode of The STEM Space, we explore the fascinating world of the mind’s eye. Some people can picture vivid images in their minds, while others see nothing at all—so where do you fall on the imagination spectrum? We’ll dive into the science of visual perception while learning about modern neuroscientist Margaret Livingstone and her work uncovering how the brain processes visual information. Plus, grab your free classroom lesson inspired by this research and stay tuned for the latest top feats of STEM in the news. STEMist SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Margaret Livingstone has spent her career uncovering how the brain turns light into meaning, showing that what feels effortless - recognizing color, motion, faces, and form - is actually the work of specialized pathways working together behind the scenes. Drawn to both science and art from a young age, she earned her Ph.D. in neurobiology at Harvard and went on to map how different parts of the visual system process information. Her research revealed why certain artworks seem to glow or move and how artists have long tapped into the brain’s visual circuitry, insights she later shared in Vision and Art: The Biology of Seeing. Her work has shaped fields from neuroscience and psychology to art, display technology, and virtual reality, reminding us that while our eyes capture the world, it’s the brain that creates what we see. Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 16. Everything You Know About Learning Styles Is Wrong Vivify STEM Blog Posts How to Integrate STEM into Your Gifted & Talented Program Vivify STEM Lessons FREE! - Featured STEMist Lesson: Dr. Margaret Livingstone STEM Creativity Tools: 5 Activities to Boost Brainstorming Power Astronaut Training: 4C's of STEM Middle School Unit | Engineering Our Cosmos Other STEM Resources Vision and Art by Margaret S. Livingstone The Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire at Aphantasia Network In STEM News What Do Mummies Smell Like? The Answer Is Revealing Ancient Secrets - Scientists at the University of Bristol discovered that the distinctive scent of Egyptian mummies comes from chemicals left behind by embalming ingredients such as oils, beeswax, plant resins, and bitumen. By analyzing tiny samples of air around mummy fragments, researchers identified dozens of chemical compounds that reveal how mummification techniques evolved and became more sophisticated over more than 2,000 years. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260315225153.htm New “Jerk” Signal Could Warn of Volcano Eruptions Hours in Advance - Scientists from the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris and the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences developed a method called the “Jerk” detector that identifies tiny ground movements caused by magma rising underground. Tested for ten years at the Piton de la Fournaise volcano, the system successfully predicted **92% of eruptions—sometimes up to eight hours in advance—**offering a promising new tool for early volcanic warning systems. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260315004411.htm Smart Underwear Reveals the Truth About Farts - Scientists at the University of Maryland created “Smart Underwear,” a wearable sensor that measures hydrogen in intestinal gas to track how often people pass gas. Early results show people may fart about **32 times per day on average—more than twice previous estimates—**while the technology could help researchers better understand gut microbes and digestive health. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260314030516.htm THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP VIVIFY INSTAGRAM VIVIFY FACEBOOK VIVIFY X VIVIFY TIKTOK VIVIFY YOUTUBE

    30 min
  3. What Makes a Great Inventor?

    6 MAR

    What Makes a Great Inventor?

    Show Summary: In this episode, Claire introduces us to the fascinating inventor and engineer, Dr. Lonnie Johnson, who is best known for creating the super soaker water gun. However, that is the least of his accomplishments. Claire and Natasha follow with a discussion on what makes a great engineer and the difference between engineers and inventors… if there is a difference! STEMist storytime, a debate on important engineering skills, and more feats of STEM in the news are in store for you, dear listeners. Tune in to hear what it is all about and don’t forget to grab the free lesson to go with the STEMist Highlight in our STEM Explorer library. ENGINEER SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Lonnie Johnson (b. 1949) is an American inventor and engineer whose curiosity started early. Growing up in Alabama, he loved taking things apart and even built a working robot in high school, winning a statewide science fair as the only Black student competing. Johnson went on to earn engineering degrees and worked for the U.S. Air Force and NASA, contributing to major missions like Galileo’s exploration of Jupiter. While experimenting at home in the 1980s, he accidentally created a powerful water stream that sparked an idea. After refining the design, he invented the Super Soaker, one of the best‑selling toys of all time. Dr. Johnson used its success to fund research in advanced batteries and clean energy through his own company. With more than 100 patents, he continues to innovate and inspire young engineers today. Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 178. Getting Kids to Think 71. How to Create a Relevant STEM Challenge 193. Are You Manufacturing Engineers? 150. Screw the Standards! Or Should We? ft. Dr. Pedersen Vivify STEM Blog Posts Go On a Mission to Mars! 7 Activities Featuring Women in STEM History What to Teach in STEM: A K-8 Engineering Education Framework Vivify STEM Lessons FREE! - Featured Engineer Lesson: Dr. Lonnie Johnson Design a Lunar or Mars Colony Orbital Mission STEM Innovators lessons Who is an Engineer or Scientist? STEM Career Game & Activity STEM Innovators BINGO Game: 24 Game-Changing Thinkers in STEM! Astro-Rover Space Science & Engineering Design Unit Other STEM Resources Dr. Lonnie Johnson Official Website NASA Galileo Mission Book: Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton NASA Artemis Article: The 5 Traits of a Great Engineer In STEM News Boiling Space Oceans: A study in Nature Astronomy suggests that some icy moons, including Enceladus, may have underground oceans that can begin to boil as their ice shells thin. Light Control: Scientists at NYU have developed a new way to control how crystals form by using light as a “remote control.” Thing IRL: Researchers led by roboticist Aude Billard at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology have developed a highly flexible robotic hand that can grasp multiple objects at once — and even detach to crawl around independently. Lunar Construction: Astroport Space Technologies and Venturi Astrolab have successfully tested a robotic lunar excavator designed to help build future infrastructure on the Moon. Retinal Implant: A miniature wireless retinal implant is offering renewed hope to individuals who have lost their sight due to advanced age-related macular degeneration. THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP VIVIFY INSTAGRAM VIVIFY FACEBOOK VIVIFY X VIVIFY TIKTOK VIVIFY YOUTUBE

    32 min
  4. What Your Students Should Know About Robots

    27 FEB

    What Your Students Should Know About Robots

    Show Summary: In this episode, Natasha and Claire explore the fascinating world of robots and robotics—from the driver’s seat of their Tesla cars to the competition floor of First In Texas robotics. Natasha shares firsthand insights from her work in competitive robotics, while both hosts reflect on how robotics is already shaping our everyday lives. You’ll also hear the inspiring story of George Devol, the inventor who helped launch the modern robotics industry, and why his legacy still matters today. The conversation dives into how and when students should be introduced to robotics, practical ways to spark curiosity, and why robotics education is more important than ever in preparing the next generation for a rapidly evolving world. Plus, the episode wraps with exciting recent feats in STEM that highlight just how fast innovation is moving. Whether you're an educator, parent, tech enthusiast, or just robot-curious, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and a glimpse into the future. ENGINEER SPOTLIGHT: George Devol (1912-2011) was an American inventor who helped start the modern robotics industry. George, fascinated by circuits and mechanics, loved experimenting with electronics and machines. In 1954, he patented the first programmable robotic arm, a machine that could move objects automatically by following coded instructions. Working with engineer Joseph Engelberger, he built Unimate, the world’s first industrial robot. In 1961, it was put to work in a car factory, handling hot metal parts and doing dangerous jobs that once put people at risk. Devol’s invention changed manufacturing forever and helped pave the way for the robots we use today. Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 105. Explaining the 3 Stages of STEM 132. The Focus of an Engineering Design Competition Vivify STEM Blog Posts Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education How to Teach STEM Through A Story 5 Tips for Teaching STEM With Robots Hour of Code Resources + Unplugged Coding Activity Vivify STEM Lessons FREE! - Featured Engineer Lesson: George Devol Robot Hand Design Challenge Simple Machines STEM: Levers - Operation: Secret Lever Design a Pneumatic Device Middle School STEM Unit | Engineering Our Cosmos Intro to Coding: Unplugged STEM Activity Astro-Rover Space Science & Engineering Design Unit Other STEM Resources FIRST® LEGO® League FIRST® Tech Challenge FIRST® Robotics Competition NASA Robotics Alliance Project NASA Space Vehicle Mockup Facility (Building 9) Bee-Bot Ozobot Evo Entry Kit How to Teach STEM In STEM News Perseverance and AI!NASA’s Perseverance rover has achieved a major milestone on Mars by navigating with routes planned by artificial intelligence rather than human drivers. Using a vision-based AI system, the rover analyzed terrain images, spotted hazards like rocks and sand ripples, and mapped out its own safe path. Do cows have the smarts to use tools? Read more about this fascinating study and use this free accompanying lesson plan from the New York Times! New Dinosaur Species found!Scientists have discovered a new species of massive predatory dinosaur in Niger’s Sahara Desert: Spinosaurus mirabilis. It is only the second known Spinosaurus species and features a striking 20-inch, sword-shaped head crest likely used for display. Eat pecans! A new review published in Nutrients finds strong evidence that pecans support heart health, particularly by improving cholesterol and other blood lipid markers. THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP VIVIFY INSTAGRAM VIVIFY FACEBOOK VIVIFY X VIVIFY TIKTOK VIVIFY YOUTUBE

    33 min
  5. Trashy STEM and a Review of SEEC

    13 FEB

    Trashy STEM and a Review of SEEC

    Show Summary: We’re kicking off the new year with a spotlight on real engineers and scientists who inspire our work in STEM education. This week, we’re featuring Lillian Gilbreth and the incredible impact she made on engineering and human factors. We’re also sharing highlights from our time at the 2026 SEEC conference — including the ideas, resources, and classroom-ready activities we brought back with us. And don’t miss the end of the episode, where we round up some of our favorite STEM news stories from the week! ENGINEER SPOTLIGHT: Lillian Moller Gilbreth (1878–1972) was an American industrial engineer and psychologist who pioneered ergonomics and human-centered design. She helped develop the Therbligs, a system for analyzing basic human motions to improve efficiency, and applied these ideas to both workplaces and everyday objects, including the foot-pedal step trash can. With more than 20 patents, Gilbreth showed how thoughtful engineering can simplify tasks and improve daily life! Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 150. Screw the Standards! Or Should We? ft. Dr. Pedersen Vivify STEM Blog Posts Teaching Space Inspires Youth Go on a Mission to Mars! An inside look into Space Club’s Mission to Mars Vivify STEM Lessons FREE! - Featured Engineer Lesson: Lillian Moller Gilbreth Design a Pneumatic Device Middle School STEM Unit | Engineering Our Cosmos Other STEM Resources Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC) Titan Curriculum: COMING SOON! - Fill out this interest form to receive it as soon as it releases! Cosmic Leap Foundation Space for Teachers Blue Origin Educational Resources Astronaut Aymette Medina 3D Lunar Rock Files In STEM News Scientists Make Sound Waves Create “Levitating Time Crystals” Travel for Engineers Yeast That Could Survive on Mars AI Solves a Dinosaur Mystery Turning Air Pollution Into Something Useful THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP VIVIFY INSTAGRAM VIVIFY FACEBOOK VIVIFY X VIVIFY TIKTOK VIVIFY YOUTUBE

    26 min
  6. How to Structure a STEM Program ft. Sharon Boese

    06/12/2025

    How to Structure a STEM Program ft. Sharon Boese

    Show Summary: Claire sits down with Sharon Boese, a dynamic STEM educator from McKinney Christian Academy in Texas, to explore what hands-on, inquiry-based science education looks like in action. Sharon shares what a typical day in her classroom entails - from guiding 8th graders through Earth and Space Science to inspiring younger students in the school’s K–5 STEM enrichment program. We talk about how to balance multiple class preps and design unique experiences to prevent repetition across grade levels, and integrate creativity and rigor through project-based learning. Sharon also gives us a peek inside her students’ engineering notebooks and explains how documentation supports problem-solving and reflection. Whether you’re a fellow teacher looking for classroom inspiration or simply curious about how STEM education comes alive, this conversation offers practical insights and plenty of passion for learning. About Sharon Boese: Sharon Boese is currently an eighth grade science/STEM teacher and an Elementary School STEM Coordinator at McKinney Christian Academy in McKinney, Texas. She has a great passion for all things space and constantly encourages her students to reach for the stars. Sharon is happily married to Michael, an environmental engineer. They have three sons who all have no choice but to love the nighttime sky. All are Eagle Scouts who earned the Astronomy and Space Exploration merit badges! Sharon hopes that one day one of her sons will become an Astronaut! Credit: NASA Directory | Solar System Ambassadors - NASA Solar System Exploration Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 128. Preparing for the New Science Standards in Texas 131. How to Scaffold Engineering Design in K-12 105. Explaining the 3 Stages of STEM Vivify STEM Blog Posts How to Start an After School STEM Club Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education 10 Tips for Managing a STEM Classroom Vivify STEM Lessons Intro to Coding: STEM Distance Learning Activity Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - GROWING BUNDLE! STEM by Grade Level Bridge Engineering STEM Challenge FREE! - Engineering Design Teacher Slides (editable) FREE! - Editable Budget Sheet for Engineering Design Challenges Tower STEM Challenges Design a Car Engineering Design Challenge | 1st Grade STEM Discoveries Sailboat STEM Challenge - K-5 or 6-8 Simple Machines Toy Factory STEM Challenge Other STEM Resources NASA Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC) Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) | Texas Education Agency Vivify STEM Space Library - free (Explorer Library) and paid (STEM Space All-Access: ALL Vivify lessons, PD, videos, and MORE) options Vivify Scope and Sequence Sphero Bolt+ | Sphero Education Tinkercad THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP VIVIFY INSTAGRAM VIVIFY FACEBOOK VIVIFY X VIVIFY TIKTOK VIVIFY YOUTUBE

    33 min
  7. SUPER SPACE BUGS!

    21/11/2025

    SUPER SPACE BUGS!

    Show Summary: In this episode, Claire shares her recent discovery of a backyard superfood – the Black Soldier Fly! She and Natasha discuss how this creature plays a key role in ecosystems involving efficient decomposition, nutritional livestock feed, and even in future space habitats. Learn why you may want to get involved, too! Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 197. You Should Build a Rocket… Seriously (Part 1) 199. Chickens and Rockets (Part 2) Vivify STEM Blog Posts Design A School Garden STEM Project Go on a Mission to Mars! Vivify STEM Lessons Design a School Garden: STEM Project Guide Build a Colony on the Moon or Mars Other STEM Resources All About Black Soldier Flies | Grubbly Farms The Urban Farm Podcast Dr. Jeff Tomberlin | Texas A&M Transforming Waste into Wealth: Black Soldier Fly Frass Explained | Flybox Quick Tips THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP VIVIFY INSTAGRAM VIVIFY FACEBOOK VIVIFY X VIVIFY TIKTOK VIVIFY YOUTUBE VIVIFY BLUESKY

    21 min
  8. Chickens and Rockets (Part 2)

    14/11/2025

    Chickens and Rockets (Part 2)

    Show Summary: In this episode, Claire shares how she tells her story to inspire students and realistically see themselves achieving their dreams. Hear about her recent outreach day teaching about rockets using a home-built 8 foot tall model and of course an update on her chickens. Also get a taste of how STEM teachers can address the social emotional learning of their students. Natasha and Claire may not agree on the method of doing so. Tune in to hear more! Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 197. You Should Build a Rocket… Seriously (Part 1) 198. An Engineer's Guide to Thoughts and Emotions (ft. Alison West and Audrey Gilfillan) 153. Don't Tell Your Kid to be an Engineer Vivify STEM Blog Posts How to Launch Rockets I Didn’t Always Want to be an Engineer - Claire 12 Ways to Boost Social-Emotional Learning with STEM How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward Vivify STEM Lessons Straw Rocket STEM Challenge Upstairs Downstairs Brain Paper Circuit SEL STEM Activity Astronaut Training: 4 Cs of STEM FREE! - Engineering Framework Habits of Mind Posters Astro-Rover Space Science & Engineering Design Unit Other STEM Resources Chickens and Cold Weather: How Cold Can Chickens Tolerate? Mars Pathfinder Sojourner Rover - Jet Propulsion Laboratory Decompile Your Mind: An Engineer’s Guide to Thoughts and Emotions(book) Email us your questions! THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP VIVIFY INSTAGRAM VIVIFY FACEBOOK VIVIFY X VIVIFY TIKTOK VIVIFY YOUTUBE VIVIFY BLUESKY

    31 min
See All (206)

About

Two engineers turned educators discuss resources, tips, and current events within the scope of STEM education.

Information

  • Creator
    Vivify STEM
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    206
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All content is copyright by Vivify, LLC
  • Show Website
    The STEM Space

You Might Also Like