This episode of The STEM Spark I share three fun and easy STEAM experiments families/friends/caregivers can try at home using simple materials: dancing raisins, paper towel art, and marshmallow towers. Each activity sparks curiosity while teaching real science concepts like buoyancy, capillary action, and engineering. Parents will also get an at home guide giving Materials, instructions, guiding questions and background science info to make the experience both playful and educational.

In this episode of The STEM Spark, we explore the power of “What If” STEM experiences—those imaginative questions that inspire hands-on experiments and creative problem-solving. By asking “What if?” learners can deepen their understanding, build resilience, and spark curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math. Tune in for practical ideas to bring “What If” scenarios to life at home or in the classroom!

Easy STEAM Experiments – Adult Guide

When I review STEM products, I look at how well they teach important skills and concepts while keeping learners engaged and having fun. I share my honest thoughts on ease of setup, quality, value for money, and any tips to get the most out of the product. My goal is to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your classroom, home, or STEM adventure. This episode I review Magnet Tiles and the Crayola STEAM Paper Flower Kit.

In this episode, I share my love for incorporating picture books into STEM, focusing on What to Do with a Box by Jane Yolen and Chris Sheban. I explain how I choose books that spark creativity, reflect STEAM concepts, and inspire exploration. I highlight the book’s poetic storytelling and open-ended illustrations, which make it perfect for sparking imaginative STEM projects for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. I recount how my students transformed simple cardboard boxes into everything from guitars to scale models, culminating in a school-wide celebration for National STEM Day. I emphasize how books like this encourage divergent thinking, connect projects to real-world contexts, and show that sometimes all you need for STEM inspiration is a box and imagination. The episode wraps up with the listener challenge: What would YOU do with a box?

This episode is about all things STEM/STEAM for a classroom setting. Many tips and tools shared can easily be applied to a homeschool, tutoring, or small group situation. We will discuss things such as materials, setup for success, expectations, student buy-in, the engineering design process, and how everything fits together to create a wonderful environment for exploration, learning, and fun in a safe and friendly way.

Welcome to The STEM Spark! This is the first episode where I share why I started this podcast and what it's all about!