Show Summary:Claire sits down with Sharon Boese, a dynamic STEM educator from McKinney Christian Academy in Texas, to explore what hands-on, inquiry-based science education looks like in action. Sharon shares what a typical day in her classroom entails - from guiding 8th graders through Earth and Space Science to inspiring younger students in the school’s K–5 STEM enrichment program.We talk about how to balance multiple class preps and design unique experiences to prevent repetition across grade levels, and integrate creativity and rigor through project-based learning. Sharon also gives us a peek inside her students’ engineering notebooks and explains how documentation supports problem-solving and reflection. Whether you’re a fellow teacher looking for classroom inspiration or simply curious about how STEM education comes alive, this conversation offers practical insights and plenty of passion for learning.About Sharon Boese: Sharon Boese is currently an eighth grade science/STEM teacher and an Elementary School STEM Coordinator at McKinney Christian Academy in McKinney, Texas. She has a great passion for all things space and constantly encourages her students to reach for the stars. Sharon is happily married to Michael, an environmental engineer. They have three sons who all have no choice but to love the nighttime sky. All are Eagle Scouts who earned the Astronomy and Space Exploration merit badges! Sharon hopes that one day one of her sons will become an Astronaut!Credit: NASA Directory | Solar System Ambassadors - NASA Solar System ExplorationLinks from the Show:Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 128. Preparing for the New Science Standards in Texas131. How to Scaffold Engineering Design in K-12105. Explaining the 3 Stages of STEMVivify STEM Blog Posts How to Start an After School STEM ClubUnderstanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering LearningNot all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education10 Tips for Managing a STEM ClassroomVivify STEM LessonsIntro to Coding: STEM Distance Learning ActivityBuilding Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - GROWING BUNDLE!STEM by Grade LevelBridge Engineering STEM ChallengeFREE! - Engineering Design Teacher Slides (editable)FREE! - Editable Budget Sheet for Engineering Design ChallengesTower STEM ChallengesDesign a Car Engineering Design Challenge | 1st Grade STEM DiscoveriesSailboat STEM Challenge - K-5 or 6-8Simple Machines Toy Factory STEM ChallengeOther STEM ResourcesNASA Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC)Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) | Texas Education AgencyVivify STEM Space Library - free (Explorer Library) and paid (STEM Space All-Access: ALL Vivify lessons, PD, videos, and MORE) optionsVivify Scope and SequenceSphero Bolt+ | Sphero EducationTinkercadTHE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTESTHE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUPVIVIFY INSTAGRAMVIVIFY FACEBOOKVIVIFY XVIVIFY TIKTOKVIVIFY YOUTUBE

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