inspirED
29 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsYou think differently when it comes to teaching. You understand that the power of education is a pathway to a certain quality of life. You understand the impact a STEM education can have on a student. And you don’t take that responsibility for granted. You -- the school administrator, emerging leader, educational influencer, the parent -- want to inspire the next generation of innovators through the power of education.
This show focuses on empowering our network and beyond with practical insights, inspirational messages, and an inside look into how to create transformative learning experiences for PreK-12 across the U.S.
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Episodes
Education Equity Series Episode #4: Part 2 | Supporting the Mental Health and Well-Being of LGBTQ+ Youth
November 09, 2020 07:00 - 1 hour - 93 MBWarning: This episode contains discussion of mental illness, self-harm, and suicide, and may not be suitable for all audiences. Nothing contained in the podcast should be interpreted as medical or mental health treatment or advice. Please follow your medical provider's advice and direction. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Listener discretion is advised. What is an ally? You may relate the term to countries that have formed military relationships to fi...
Education Equity Series Episode #3: Part 1 | Supporting the Mental Health and Well-Being of LGBTQ+ Youth
October 19, 2020 06:00 - 55 minutes - 76.2 MBWarning: This episode contains discussion of mental illness, self-harm, and suicide, and may not be suitable for all audiences. Nothing contained in the podcast should be interpreted as medical or mental health treatment or advice. Please follow your medical provider's advice and direction. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Listener discretion is advised. “A safe and welcoming school environment is essential for student success. Educators are a critical com...
Education Equity Series Episode #3: Mental health and well-being within LGBTQ+ youth
October 19, 2020 06:00 - 55 minutes - 76.2 MBWarning: This episode contains discussion of mental illness, self-harm, and suicide, and may not be suitable for all audiences. Nothing contained in the podcast should be interpreted as medical or mental health treatment or advice. Please follow your medical provider's advice and direction. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Listener discretion is advised. “A safe and welcoming school environment is essential for student success. Educators are a critical com...
Education Equity Series Episode #2: Importance of Using Self-efficacy Strategies to Develop Inclusive Learning Environments
September 14, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 108 MBIn 1930, one phrase – “I think I can.” – uttered by a train taught millions of people about courage, perseverance, positive thinking, and self-determination. Unlike that little train, every day educators see students quit something before they even start because they fear failure. It’s easy to assume this is a self-confidence issue but it’s more than that – this is a self-efficacy issue. Self-efficacy is the overall belief in our ability to succeed in a specific situation. An import...
Education Equity Series Episode #1: What is Education Equity?
August 17, 2020 12:34 - 1 hour - 83.7 MB“It is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to a good education.” – Nelson Mandela What is education equity? Merriam-Webster defines equity as “justice according to natural law or right; freedom from bias or favoritism.” Recent events have brought out many different perspectives on equity in education and raises the question, what can we do to ensure every student receives a quality education that prepares them for the future. In this first episode ...
023 Eunice Heath | Developing the Workforce to Solve the World’s Challenges
December 04, 2019 06:00 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MBEunice Health is one of our country’s top STEM professionals, working for one of the world’s largest STEM companies, and she sees firsthand just how important it is for all of today’s students to be developing STEM knowledge and skills to help meet the challenges our growing world population. From increasing diversity to teaching ethics, our classrooms today are truly the front lines for solving the world’s future challenges. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an epi...
022 Chris Townsend and Caleb Doss | Eagle Manufacturing: A Student-run Manufacturing Business Fit for the Real World
November 20, 2019 07:00 - 20 minutes - 27.5 MBWhen he looked around his classroom and saw unused manufacturing equipment, PLTW instructor Chris Townsend had an idea. Why not put it to use year-round through a student-run manufacturing business? Two years later, Eagle Manufacturing is helping high school students develop real-world skills and cut their teeth in real-world jobs, right in their high school. Instructor Chris Townsend and student manager Caleb Doss break talk about its beginnings, successes, and challenges. For more Inspir...
021 Nick Ragone | An Employer's Perspective on Preparing for High-Demand Careers
November 06, 2019 11:00 - 21 minutes - 29.1 MBNick Ragone: An Employer’s Perspective on Preparing for High-Demand Careers Healthcare is the fastest-growing industry in the United States, with more than 2.4 million new professionals needed by 2026. Nick Ragone from Ascension, the nation’s largest nonprofit health system, talks about the need they’re facing and what students and teachers can do today to prepare for those careers. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, I...
020 Jamie Ratliff | A rural District's Path to Success
October 23, 2019 10:00 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MBRural school districts often have their own set of unique challenges that can make starting or sustaining a STEM program difficult. But in Lapeer, Michigan, the district has found success with a formula of engagement, funding, and yes, duct tape. Listen as District STEM Coordinator Jaime Ratliff shares their keys to success. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Subscribe links: iTunes, Google Play, S...
019 Kate Kreamer | Building High-Quality CTE Programs
October 09, 2019 10:00 - 29 minutes - 40.1 MBKate Kreamer: Building High-Quality CTE Programs Career and Technical Education programs today are not the programs of the 1980s and 90s. Hear from Advance CTE as deputy executive director Kate Kreamer shares the benefits for all students and how your district can raise the bar on programs that prepare students for career success. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! PLTW Perkins Funding paper: [insert link] Follow links: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram,...
018 Letizia Moro | Taking Ownership of Your Learning
September 25, 2019 10:00 - 20 minutes - 28.2 MBStudents often do as they're told or follow the “normal” path throughout PreK-12 education, missing vital opportunities to develop skills and have experiences that would further their career goals. Not Letizia Moro. She’s a high school senior in Boise, Idaho, who has never followed a straight line when it comes to her PreK-12 education. Listen as she shares how her unique experiences have led to innovation and entrepreneurship, and her advice to other students who have big ideas they want to...
017 Ken Eisner | Preparing for In-Demand CS Careers
September 11, 2019 10:00 - 28 minutes - 39.5 MBTalent skilled in app development, cloud computing, and data has never been in higher demand, yet companies are struggling to quickly fill their open jobs. Ken Eisner from AWS Educate shares what teachers and students need to do today in order for students to have the skills to take advantage of these booming careers tomorrow. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! AWS Educate Resources – www.awseducate.com or in myPLTW Follow links: Twitter, Facebook...
016 Summer Refresh | Transforming a District Through Career Pathways
August 28, 2019 09:30 - 30 minutes - 42.5 MBIs your district struggling with student performance and engagement? Independence School District in Missouri was once in that position and turned itself into a national model for student success. District CTE Director Aaron Smith tells the district’s turnaround story of community support and a career academies model that upped the ante on student value, and in the process grew their graduation and student achievement rate by one of the largest margins in state history. But it wasn’t always ...
015 Summer Refresh |Raising Students to New Heights Through Hands-on Learning
August 14, 2019 10:00 - 33 minutes - 45.8 MBWhen we talk about leveling the playing field, we often think about making sure no one gets an unfair advantage. But in Tulsa, Oklahoma, PLTW Launch Master Teacher Suzanne Martin is leveling the playing field by “leveling up”, raising students up to new heights through relevant, hands-on learning. In her story filled with success, failure, and authenticity, she’s found the program does the same for educators too. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and che...
014: Summer Refresh | Creating Opportunities for Girls in Computer Science
July 24, 2019 10:00 - 29 minutes - 40.5 MBHow do we open doors for more girls to pursue careers in computer science? Learn from college sophomore Ruby Rios, who wasn’t always the confident, passionate computer science undergrad she is today. She was once an 11-year-old who helped create an app for patients with disabilities to better communicate with their doctors and then almost dropped out of computer science altogether. And now she’s trying to pave a smoother way for the girls who follow in her footsteps. For more inspirED, be ...
013: Summer Refresh |Creating PreK-Career Pipelines
July 10, 2019 10:00 - 29 minutes - 40.9 MBWhat would happen if businesses and companies treated recruiting and hiring talent the way colleges and universities recruit athletes? Steve Stokey had that very idea 10 years ago sitting at his desk at Allied Machine & Engineering in Dover, Ohio. As the company’s executive vice president, he saw far too much talent leaving the community, and he knew it wasn’t good for his company or others in the county. So he did something about it, reaching out to the local school districts and other ...
012: Grant Cox | VEX Robotics and the Power of Real-world Application
June 26, 2019 10:00 - 29 minutes - 40.4 MBThere’s nothing more powerful for students than seeing how they can apply what they’re learning in the classroom to solve a real-world problem, and if you can gamify that real-world application, even better. That’s what happens in PLTW’s powerful partnership with VEX Robotics, where students are learning skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take. Get the inside scoop and hear practical and inspiring tips for bringing your student’s learning to life through ...
011: Emily Hendrickson & Trinity Stallins | Creating a Powerful Internship Program
June 12, 2019 10:00 - 25 minutes - 34.7 MBIn the war for top talent, Lockheed Martin isn’t taking the defensive. Together with local high schools, the global aerospace and defense company is recruiting students straight out of their senior year of high school to utilize their STEM skills and shape their future career paths. In this episode, hear from intern program coordinator Emily Hendrickson and intern Trinity Stallins on how the program is shaping future engineers and giving Lockheed Martin access to the top engineering talent. ...
010: Suzanne Martin | Leveling Up
May 22, 2019 10:00 - 33 minutes - 45.9 MBWhen we talk about leveling the playing field, we often think about making sure no one gets an unfair advantage. But in Tulsa, Oklahoma, PLTW Launch Master Teacher Suzanne Martin is leveling the playing field by “leveling up”, raising students up to new heights through relevant, hands-on learning. In her story filled with success, failure, and authenticity, she’s found the program does the same for educators too. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and che...
009: Bill Van Loo | Learning for Life
May 08, 2019 10:00 - 36 minutes - 50.1 MBBill Van Loo models what it means to be a teacher, not just in his classroom, but in every aspect of his life. He wholeheartedly believes in the concept of being a lifelong learner as he teaches his students, fellow teachers, and himself. In this episode, he unlocks the keys to modeling this in your classroom, and shares how he believes teachers can inspire their students to be lifelong learners too. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our we...
008: John Urschel | Math Matters
April 24, 2019 10:00 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MBHe’s the former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman who made headlines when he chose to leave the NFL to pursue his PhD in applied mathematics. But he didn’t always love math. In fact, he was often a disengaged student. Listen as John Urschel provides insight on how to inspire and engage students of all levels and help them see how math matters. For more InspirED, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and check out our website, www.pltw.org/podcast. Follow links: Twitter, Fac...
007: Paula Rodriguez | An American Dream
April 10, 2019 10:00 - 29 minutes - 41.2 MBPaula Rodriguez Duran was 17 when her family fled Venezuela under political asylum and settled in the United States. In a new country and new high school, Paula discovered a passion for art and technology she’d not been privileged to in her home country. Hear how her experiences in these new high school programs led to a coveted spot in a professional program with Toyota that has helped her discover her career passion and created a life she only dreamed of before coming to the United States....
006: Aaron Smith | A District’s Path to Student Success
March 27, 2019 10:00 - 31 minutes - 43.7 MBFrom a district with a struggling identity to now a national model for student success. District CTE Director Aaron Smith tells the turnaround story of Independence School District near Kansas City, Missouri. With community support and a career academies model, the district upped the ante on student value, and in the process grew their graduation and student achievement rate by one of the largest margins in state history. But it wasn’t always a smooth ride. Hear the struggles, the successes,...
005: Ruby Rios | Paving the Way for Girls in Computer Science
March 13, 2019 10:00 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MBNamed one of Kansas City’s 30 under 30 by Inc. Magazine, Ruby Rios wasn’t always the confident, passionate computer science undergrad she is today. Learn how she went from an 11-year-old girl who helped create an app for patients with disabilities to better communicate with their doctors, to almost dropping out of computer science altogether. And how she’s trying to fix the problem for the girls who follow in her footsteps.
004: Eryca Card | It’s Elementary
February 27, 2019 11:00 - 22 minutes - 31 MBHow do you get the entire community involved in supporting your district’s STEM programs and promote your kindergartens to district spokespeople? Ask Eryca Card, a 6th grade science teacher and Project Lead The Way PreK-8 coordinator for the rural Elkhorn Area School District in Wisconsin. In less than five years, she’s helped grow a district-wide STEM program that includes everyone from the community’s homeschool students to the local CEO and the state’s governor. At the center of it all ...
003: Abby Harrison | Mentoring to Mars
February 13, 2019 11:00 - 27 minutes - 37.7 MBAbby Harrison, also known as Astronaut Abby by her million+ social media followers, is an aspiring astronaut who has a big goal: to be the first astronaut to walk on Mars. Her passion started early. Encouraged by her mother, early STEM education experiences including Project Lead The Way, and a professional astronaut mentor, Abby tells a story of how perseverance, failure, and focus have put her on the path to her dream. For fellow aspiring astronauts, Abby acts as a mentor and role model....
002: Steve Stokey |Creating PreK-Career Pipelines
January 30, 2019 11:00 - 30 minutes - 42.3 MBWhat would happen if businesses and companies treated recruiting and hiring talent the way colleges and universities recruit athletes? Steve Stokey had that very idea 10 years ago sitting at his desk at Allied Machine & Engineering in Dover, Ohio. As the company’s executive vice president, he saw far too much talent leaving the community, and he knew it wasn’t good for his company or others in the county. So he did something about it, reaching out to the local school districts and other comp...
001: Markie Wagner | Opening Students’ Eyes to Opportunity
January 30, 2019 10:30 - 27 minutes - 37.6 MBStudents can’t be what they can’t see – they need experiences and mentors to open their eyes to the world of opportunities before them. Meet Markie Wagner, a self-described self-taught computer science lover who by the age of 9 was creating websites and apps that got over 25,000 downloads from around the globe. Despite all this, she never thought a career in computer science or engineering was a possibility. Learn how a high school summer camp transformed her career path and created a deep...
000: Jennifer Erbacher | InpirED: What's This All About?
January 16, 2019 20:45 - 2 minutes - 3.93 MBYou think differently when it comes to teaching. You understand that the power of education is a pathway to a certain quality of life. You understand the impact a STEM education can have on a student. And you don’t take that responsibility for granted. You -- the school administrator, emerging leader, educational influencer, the parent -- want to inspire the next generation of innovators through the power of education. This show focuses on empowering our network and beyond with practical i...