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
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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

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YouthRoots has a mission to bridge the gap between generations, fostering connections that open up a world of opportunities in STEM fields for young minds.

They provide students with a glimpse into the STEM fields they can pursue through interviews of STEM professionals. Using a holistic approach to STEM education, YouthRoots creates and leads students in hands on activities and engaging lessons, and after dozens of domestic outreaches, they are now expanding globally to ensure every student, no matter their location, has access to STEM education.

High school students Riddhi (co-founder), Sharaya (director of outreach), and Sahana (education specialist) talk about the work YouthRoots is doing, and their goal of creating chapters around the world.

Connect with YouthRoots:

• Website: youthrootsnow.com
• Instagram: @youthrootsnow
• Email: youthroots.now@gmail.com

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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The Clueless is a FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) team made up of 13 members from 8 middle/high schools across San Diego, California. Through FTC, they are determined to grow as a team, have fun, and leave a lasting impact on their community.

In their 9 years of competing, they have set the world record twice ('22 & '24) and qualified to the World Championship 6 times, where they've won the divisional Inspire Award three times and won the robot game once.

One of their outreach goals is to make STEM and robotics more accessible to local and global communities, through projects like their First Lego League (FLL) summer camp, EV3 redistribution program, and Global Mentorship Program for FTC teams.

FIRST is a global non-profit that has engaged over 800,000 high school students in building and competing with robots.

"At the core, we love FIRST Tech Challenge. Our passion drives our success!"

Connect with The Clueless team:

• Website: thecluelessftc.org
• Instagram: @clueless11212_ftc
• YouTube: @theclueless11212
• Volunteer at a FIRST event to support youth exploring STEM: firstinspires.org/community/volunteers (No experience required!)

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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STEM education requires a solid foundation of skills. Without basic math and reading proficiency, children are not prepared for the opportunities awaiting them in a world of changing careers.

Chris Papst is the lead investigative reporter for Project Baltimore, Fox45 News’ ongoing investigation into Maryland’s public education system. As a national award-winning reporter, his work has led to the passing of state laws, criminal convictions, and court rulings that have set legal precedent throughout Maryland.
Chris’s work has received recognition from institutions such as the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland Office of the Comptroller, and the Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education. He has received the NAACP’s Vanguard Award and an Emmy Award for investigative reporting.

His new book Failure Factory: How Baltimore City Schools Deprive Taxpayers and Students of a Future, shines a critical light on America’s public education system by exposing what’s really happening inside classrooms and behind administrative doors – such as grade changing, the lower of academic standards and the manipulation of violence data.

Connect with Chris:

• Twitter/X: @chrispapst
• Facebook: @chris.papst.7
• Project Baltimore news: foxbaltimore.com/news/project-baltimore
• Find a copy of Failure Factory on Amazon or Barnes & Noble

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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Doug Scott has taught 9th-12th grade engineering, robotics, and technology since 2003. His current role at Hopkinton High School includes being the district leader for Business, Tech & Engineering in grades 6–12.

Doug has led numerous robotics and competitive technology teams to state and regional championships, as well as national and international competitions, growing the robotics program from six students to 160. In 2014, Doug was fortunate to accompany students from his Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam to the Office of Science and Technology Policy White House Science Fair. The team’s invention was eventually awarded a U.S. patent. He is also the 2014 Massachusetts STEM Teacher of the Year Award, was awarded The Presidential Award for Excellence in Science (PAEMST) in 2019, and was a MA Teacher of the Year Semifinalist in 2022.

His students have consistently participated in the US National Invention Convention, a K-12 invention education program that teaches students problem-identification, problem-solving, entrepreneurship and creativity skills and builds confidence in invention, innovation and entrepreneurship for life.

Links mentioned:

• Massachusetts Invention Convention
• Eating Better utensil design project
• Opening Doors wheelchair accessibility project
• Start learning a little about the P-51 Mustang engineering
• And be sure to listen to Ep 273 with Doug's students sharing about their flashlight invention: #273 Invention & Patents

Connect with Doug:

• Website: mrscottbot.org
• Twitter/X: @mrscottbot
• Instagram: @mrscottbot

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

Dr Jennifer Berry is the CEO of SmartLab (an education pioneer in STEM, transforming traditional learning environments into project-based learning experiences since 1987). She has previously held leadership roles at other education organizations, each time bringing her expertise and experience as a parent and veteran of stage performance to build better learning opportunities for every kid every day.

SmartLab's mission is to ensure that today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders, prepared and ready to solve the complex challenges of our ever-changing world. Students build STEM identity, confidence, and purpose as they solve meaningful problems and connect classroom learning to the careers of tomorrow. A focus on generating "aha!" moments, steadily converting raw curiosity into resilient, purposeful problem solving.

Innovative school leaders nationwide have empowered learners with SmartLab’s state-of-the-art STEM-focused solutions that include ADA-compliant learning environments, problem-solving, authentic student-led experiences, standards-aligned supplemental curriculum, and rigorous training and professional development.

The SmartLab learning environment is based on 5 key components:

• Career-Connected PBL Curriculum
• Hands-on Tools & Equipment
• Customized STEM Learning Environments
• SmartLab Certified Facilitator
• Ongoing Support & Partnership

Connect with Jennifer & SmartLab:

• Website: smartlablearning.com
• Twitter/X: @smartlab_tweets
• Facebook: @SmartLabLearning
• Instagram: @smartlablearning
• YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCiY2g9pX2nxcLiWF8UpBTBw
• Jennifer's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-jennifer-berry-9a05113/

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