Episode #209
209. 5 Mistakes Almost Every New STEM Teacher Makes (And What to Do Instead)
Show Summary: Are you making one of these common STEM teaching mistakes? Don't worry! Most of us have! In this episode, Natasha and Claire break down five mistakes that are especially common when teachers are new to STEM education. They'll talk about why focusing too much on the finished product can actually get in the way of the engineering design process, how real-world connections can transform a simple building challenge, why students sometimes need us to stop giving them the answers, and why great STEM teachers don't try to do everything alone. They also explore the importance of reflection and iteration—and the story of James Dyson's 5,127 prototypes reminds us that a design that doesn't work isn't necessarily a failed learning experience. Whether you're brand-new to STEM or you've been teaching it for years, this episode is an invitation to look at your STEM lessons through a different lens: less emphasis on making something that works the first time, and more emphasis on creating students who know what to do when it doesn't. Links from the Show: Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 8. STEM vs STEAM+ 205. Can You See Stuff In Your Head? 120. Prioritizing Prototypes & Assessing STEM Vivify STEM Blog Posts Why Early STEM Matters: Data-Driven Strategies What to Teach in STEM: A K-8 Engineering Education Framework How to Teach Growth Mindset and Failing Forward STEM Teacher & Classroom Essentials Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education Vivify STEM Lessons Intro to STEM: Think Like a Scientist & Engineer! Simple Machines | Inclined Planes: Operation Swift Escape (Part of our NEW 5th Grade STEM Innovators Series!) Biomimicry 5E Science Unit + STEM Design Lab (Nature-Inspired Design!) Stem Explorers: Antarctica Shelter STEM Challenge Space Capsule Heat Shield 5E Engineering Challenge Other STEM Resources Vivify STEM Facebook Reels: Let the Neighborhood Science Club Commence! How to Teach STEM “ Enjoy your failure and learn from it. You never learn from success. ” About Sir James Dyson Cosmic Leap Foundation: Space Colony Competition Boeing Community Engagement Access FREE STEM Lessons! Become a Member of The STEM Space by Vivify STEM THE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTES THE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUP VIVIFY INSTAGRAM VIVIFY FACEBOOK VIVIFY X VIVIFY TIKTOK VIVIFY YOUTUBE
