176. How The Bug Chicks Make STEM Fun and Fearless with Entomologists Kristie Reddick & Jessica Honaker

In this special episode, I’m recording from an exciting new location—my mobile STEM trailer! This trailer is something I’ve dreamed of since 2020, and I’m thrilled to share how this vision came to life. Join me as I give you a behind-the-scenes look at my journey, from hunting for the right vehicle to the inspiring reasons behind creating a mobile STEM classroom. I’ll share some fun stories, like my search for this trailer and how I’m setting it up to reach even more students in our community. Plus, I’ll explain a fun way for you to join this journey—by adding your name to the trailer in a special way. Let’s dive into how we can make STEM accessible to every child, one mile at a time!Contribute to the trailer HERE or see what resources are still needed HEREHead to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode184Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long PlanLeave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | naomimeredith.com/tptshopCourse: STEM Teacher 101Workshops: K-2 STEM Planning 3-5 STEM Planning K-5 STEM Planning BundleStellar School-Wide News STEM Career Day1:1 STEM Coaching Support: naomimeredith.com/coachingCheck out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.comConnect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_YouTube Channel: Naomi MeredithFacebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 TeachersCheck out my other...

After being a classroom teacher for 6 years and stepping into a K-5 STEM role, there was a lot that I didn't know and also realized I would be concerned about. Over the years as a passionate STEM educator, there are a handful of things that scare me about K-5 STEM education that might scare you, too. Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode183Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long PlanLeave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | naomimeredith.com/tptshopCourse: STEM Teacher 101Workshops: K-2 STEM Planning 3-5 STEM Planning K-5 STEM Planning BundleStellar School-Wide News STEM Career Day1:1 STEM Coaching Support: naomimeredith.com/coachingCheck out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.comConnect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_YouTube Channel: Naomi MeredithFacebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 TeachersCheck out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

If you are looking for Fall-themed STEM stations that aren’t Halloween-related, but still celebrate the time of year, I got you covered in this episode! I’ll explain how I organized the stations with a group of students and how they rotated through. Then, I’ll share with you the three, easy-to-prep pumpkin STEM stations that you can try with students. In my group, I had kids from 4 years old to 10 years old mixed together, and they all had a blast! Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode182Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long PlanLeave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | naomimeredith.com/tptshopCourse: STEM Teacher 101Workshops: K-2 STEM Planning 3-5 STEM Planning K-5 STEM Planning BundleStellar School-Wide News STEM Career Day1:1 STEM Coaching Support: naomimeredith.com/coachingCheck out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.comConnect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_YouTube Channel: Naomi MeredithFacebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 TeachersCheck out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

I’m diving into the spooky spirit with three fun and easy science experiments you can try with your students! Whether you’re planning a Halloween-themed lesson, a special event like trunk-or-treat, or want to add some excitement to your classroom, these activities are low-prep and big on fun.Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode181Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long PlanLeave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | naomimeredith.com/tptshopCourse: STEM Teacher 101Workshops: K-2 STEM Planning 3-5 STEM Planning K-5 STEM Planning BundleStellar School-Wide News STEM Career Day1:1 STEM Coaching Support: naomimeredith.com/coachingCheck out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.comConnect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_YouTube Channel: Naomi MeredithFacebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 TeachersCheck out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

Are you looking for fun ways to celebrate Halloween in your STEM classroom without any chaos or your students bouncing off the wall? In today’s episode, I’m sharing seven spooky STEM activities that your students will love. Whether you’re looking for fun activities for a Halloween party or to incorporate some fall-themed activities into your lessons, these spooky STEM activities are perfect for your STEM classroom.Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode129Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long PlanLeave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | naomimeredith.com/tptshopCourse: STEM Teacher 101Workshops: K-2 STEM Planning & 3-5 STEM Planning & Stellar School-Wide News & STEM Career Day1:1 STEM Coaching Support: naomimeredith.com/coachingCheck out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.comConnect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_YouTube Channel: Naomi MeredithFacebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 TeachersCheck out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest 

When you teach multiple classes a day, how can you easily set up a classroom incentive that encourages positive behaviors? In this episode, I'll share with you a game I came up with that's easy, fun, and motivating for elementary students of all ages. There is also a bonus clip where you will hear me introduce this incentive with a class and hear their reactions!Link to Behavior Blast Off: https://naomimeredith.com/behaviorblastoffHead to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode179Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long PlanLeave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | naomimeredith.com/tptshopCourse: STEM Teacher 101Workshops: K-2 STEM Planning 3-5 STEM Planning K-5 STEM Planning BundleStellar School-Wide News STEM Career Day1:1 STEM Coaching Support: naomimeredith.com/coachingCheck out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.comConnect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_YouTube Channel: Naomi MeredithFacebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 TeachersCheck out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

During Parent Teacher Conference season, what is the typical expectation for STEM teachers? While this can vary from school to school, overall there is a common consensus amongst STEM Teachers of what they do during this time. How do I know this? Well, I went ahead and asked YOU and sharing your responses in this episode. Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode178Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long PlanLeave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | naomimeredith.com/tptshopCourse: STEM Teacher 101Workshops: K-2 STEM Planning 3-5 STEM Planning K-5 STEM Planning BundleStellar School-Wide News STEM Career DaySTEM Teacher Book Club: naomimeredith.com/stemteacherbookshelf1:1 STEM Coaching Support: naomimeredith.com/coachingCheck out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.comConnect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_YouTube Channel: Naomi MeredithFacebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 TeachersCheck out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

In this episode, I dive into my Instagram DMs to answer some of the most common questions you’ve asked me about Makerspace. Whether you're an experienced STEM teacher or just getting started, I’m sharing tips on everything from managing materials to encouraging student collaboration. I’ll walk you through how I handle group projects, how students can "buy" supplies using a Makerspace menu, and creative ways to decide who gets to take projects home. Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode177Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long PlanLeave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | naomimeredith.com/tptshopCourse: STEM Teacher 101Workshops: K-2 STEM Planning 3-5 STEM Planning K-5 STEM Planning BundleStellar School-Wide News STEM Career DaySTEM Teacher Book Club: naomimeredith.com/stemteacherbookshelf1:1 STEM Coaching Support: naomimeredith.com/coachingCheck out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.comConnect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_YouTube Channel: Naomi MeredithFacebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 TeachersCheck out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

I’m sitting down with two incredible women in STEM, Kristie Reddick and Jessica Honaker—also known as The Bug Chicks! These two amazing entomologists have a passion for bugs and an even bigger passion for teaching kids and educators how to use insects as a powerful learning tool.Kristie and Jessica share their fascinating journey from grad school to building a career that inspires others to see the beauty and importance of bugs in our world. We chat about everything from conquering fears to making STEM more approachable through hands-on experiences. Whether it’s using bugs to teach social-emotional skills or simply sparking curiosity, The Bug Chicks have so much wisdom to share.Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode176Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long PlanLeave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | naomimeredith.com/tptshopCourse: STEM Teacher 101Workshops: K-2 STEM Planning 3-5 STEM Planning K-5 STEM Planning BundleStellar School-Wide News STEM Career DaySTEM Teacher Book Club: naomimeredith.com/stemteacherbookshelf1:1 STEM Coaching Support: naomimeredith.com/coachingCheck out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.comConnect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_YouTube Channel: Naomi MeredithFacebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 TeachersCheck out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

Back to school night for STEM teachers and classroom teachers can look very different.Back to school night expectations for STEM teachers is different for each school. As a STEM teacher, what should you set up for back to school night? In today’s episode, I will be sharing 5 back to school night ideas that STEM teachers can incorporate into their classrooms.Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode13Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long PlanLeave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | naomimeredith.com/tptshopCourse: STEM Teacher 101Workshops: K-2 STEM Planning 3-5 STEM Planning K-5 STEM Planning BundleStellar School-Wide News STEM Career DaySTEM Teacher Book Club: naomimeredith.com/stemteacherbookshelf1:1 STEM Coaching Support: naomimeredith.com/coachingCheck out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.comConnect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_YouTube Channel: Naomi MeredithFacebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 TeachersCheck out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest