Katie Minihan, Chief Impact Officer of Project Lead The Way (PLTW), shares why engagement might be the missing metric in education and how students who solve real-world problems through hands-on, collaborative learning see stronger attendance, achievement, and long-term outcomes.

School and district leaders need a solution that cultivates confidence and career readiness for kids from elementary to high school. As a nonprofit organization founded by educators and driven by education leaders, they've spent more than 28 years equipping students with the technical knowledge, transferable skills, and career confidence they need to thrive—through programs that integrate real-world industry partnerships, and best-in-class teacher training.

PLTW’s partnerships with industry leaders, universities, and other nonprofits ensures the curriculum stays at the cutting edge and mirrors modern workforce realities of today, while also building the lifelong skills needed for tomorrow.

Check out the Success Stories of PLTW alumni in their careers pltw.org/experience-pltw/national-awards/awards

Connect with Katie & PLTW:

• Website: pltw.org
• X/Twitter: @PLTWorg
• YouTube: @TeamPLTW
• Instagram: @pltworg
• Facebook: @pltworg
• Katie's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/catherine-minihan

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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What happens when storytelling meets science? What happens when learning the periodic table becomes as common as other foundational skills like the alphabet or adding facts?

Dr. Colleen Kelley is a retired chemistry professor turned storyteller, creator, and champion of "Molecular Literacy." As the founder of Kids’ Chemical Solutions, she’s on a mission to make chemistry fun, visual, and unforgettable through comic books, graphic novels, and games. Her award-winning work has reached audiences around the world — from the Emmy-winning PBS short “Comic Book Chemistry” to her TEDx talk “Molecular Literacy for Ages 8–108.” Through her M.C. Detective Agency series, Dr. Kelley transforms chemistry into an adventure, where kids solve molecular mysteries, uncover clues in the periodic table, and discover that science is simply the story of everything.

With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Penn State University and a Chateaubriand Fellowship at the Université Pasteur in Strasbourg, France, under Nobel Laureate Jean-Marie Lehn, Dr. Kelley spent over 30 years teaching and researching environmental toxicology, medicinal chemistry, and chemical education. She’s authored four textbooks, 30+ peer-reviewed publications, and presented her work globally — but her greatest joy now comes from helping the next generation see chemistry in living color.

Colleen's M.C. Detective Agency is a comic book series that turns complex chemistry concepts into thrilling, kid-friendly mysteries. The series invites readers to join Poppi, Ray, and the mysterious M.C. as they solve cases that only science can crack. Every case blends storytelling and science to build Molecular Literacy — a new way of learning chemistry that helps kids see, feel, and understand the molecular world long before high school chemistry begins. Young detectives learn that atoms, ions, and molecules aren’t just symbols on a page — they’re the building blocks of everything!

Connect with Colleen:

• Website: kidschemicalsolutions.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colleen-kelley-ph-d-049aa91ab/

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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How fitting that the 314th episode of STEM Everyday would be about Math and in March (if you know, you know π).

For more than 18 years, World Maths Day in March has brought together millions of students in an epic celebration of learning. From record-breaking speeds in the Live Mathletics platform, to incredible displays of problem-solving skills, it’s a day where numbers truly unite kids.

Created by 3P Learning, kids age 5 to 18 compete in 20 60-second contests to earn points by solving math questions. As an individual or as a school, kids can sign up for free and compete to earn a spot on the World Maths Day Hall of Fame! Learn more and sign up, or make plans to join next year!

Sheila Robitaille is an innovative educational leader who is passionate about quality instructional practice, and believes that educational opportunities must inspire engaged and active learners. Sheila is a veteran teacher and educational leader with 27 years of experience as a classroom teacher, program director, professional development specialist and principal. She is currently the Professional Development Manager at 3P Learning, the hosts of World Maths Day.

Connect with Sheila & Learn More about World Maths Day:

• Website: 3plearning.com/world-maths-day
• Sheila's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sheila-robitaille-8823864b/

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

Support the show