In this episode, I share my love for incorporating picture books into STEM, focusing on What to Do with a Box by Jane Yolen and Chris Sheban. I explain how I choose books that spark creativity, reflect STEAM concepts, and inspire exploration. I highlight the book’s poetic storytelling and open-ended illustrations, which make it perfect for sparking imaginative STEM projects for students from kindergarten through eighth grade. I recount how my students transformed simple cardboard boxes into everything from guitars to scale models, culminating in a school-wide celebration for National STEM Day. I emphasize how books like this encourage divergent thinking, connect projects to real-world contexts, and show that sometimes all you need for STEM inspiration is a box and imagination. The episode wraps up with the listener challenge: What would YOU do with a box?

This episode is about all things STEM/STEAM for a classroom setting. Many tips and tools shared can easily be applied to a homeschool, tutoring, or small group situation. We will discuss things such as materials, setup for success, expectations, student buy-in, the engineering design process, and how everything fits together to create a wonderful environment for exploration, learning, and fun in a safe and friendly way.

Welcome to The STEM Spark! This is the first episode where I share why I started this podcast and what it's all about!