Ep. 5 STEMing with Megan Olivia Hall

Introduction

Host: Charell G. Coleman

Podcast Name: Teacher Talk - The Ultimate Self-Care Podcast for Educators

Episode Name: STEMing with Megan Olivia Hall

Guest: Megan Olivia Hall, author and educator

Highlights

Purpose of the Podcast: A safe haven for educators to explore self-care and self-compassion; practical ways to incorporate self-care in daily lives while sharing teacher talk; creating a supportive network of like-minded educators.

Episode Topic: STEM in the Classroom

Guest: Megan Hall, STEM educator from St. Paul, Minnesota. Megan's work involves teaching middle school and high school STEM classes, writing STEM activity books for younger children, and working with teachers to create engaging STEM experiences. The importance of incorporating hands-on, playful STEM activities in the classroom.

STEM Project Suggestions: "Fast Plants": A short life cycle plant ideal for classroom experiments and investigations. Students can study its growth, flowering, and seed production in a short period; "Journey North Tulip Project": A citizen science project where students plant tulip bulbs in the fall, observe their growth in the spring, and record the timing of blooming. Scientists use this data to study climate change.

Incorporating STEM for Teacher Well-being: Encouraging teachers to find passion projects in their work that bring joy and fulfillment; creating authentic connections with colleagues and students; finding time for self-care outside of work, including rest, hydration, exercise, and quality time with family and friends.

Promoting joyful and playful learning: emphasizing the need for enjoyable learning experiences for both educators and students; highlighting the role of STEM in fostering curiosity, creativity, and positive mental health.

Conclusion

STEM is essential for preparing students for the future and should be approached with fun, creativity, and playfulness.

Teachers must find ways to balance workload and self-care, ensuring their time in the classroom is rewarding and fulfilling.

Educators can connect with Megan Hall on Twitter: @MeganOliviaHall and visit her blog and website: https://www.joyfulbiology.com/

Resources

STEM Books by Megan Hall

"Awesome Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids": Over 50 edible STEM experiments that encourage learning through food science and sustainable food production.

"Awesome Outdoor Experiments for Kids": Nature-focused STEM activities that allow kids to explore and discover in the great outdoors.

"Big Chemistry for Little Kids": A chemistry-based book for preschoolers introducing simple chemical reactions and concepts.

"Awesome Girls STEM Crafts": Using crafts to engage kids of all genders in STEM and promote gender equity.

Megan Olivia Hall's author page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Megan-Olivia-Hall/author/B0838NQYTD?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true 

Transcription

Full transcription can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jJMlGigzjqQwIO4y7srSCJbA9uHanXUI/view?usp=sharing 

Sponsor

This program is funded as a part of a $249,900 FY2022 Congressionally Funded Community Projects grant made to Mount Holyoke that provides 100% of the funding to support the Teaching for Our Moment project to equip educators with the tools and support they need for their own social and emotional wellness and to promote the social, emotional, and academic wellness of their students. The project includes both a one-day teacher conference and a six-month-long professional learning circle with mentorship for K-12 educators.