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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 Exploration
Links from the Show:
Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes
128. Preparing for the New Science Standards in Texas
131. How to Scaffold Engineering Design in K-12
105. Explaining the 3 Stages of STEM
Vivify STEM Blog Posts
How to Start an After School STEM Club
Understanding a Framework for P-12 Engineering Learning
Not all STEM is Equal: 3 Stages of STEM Education
10 Tips for Managing a STEM Classroom
Vivify STEM Lessons
Intro to Coding: STEM Distance Learning Activity
Building Bricks STEM Challenge Mats - GROWING BUNDLE!
Bridge Engineering STEM Challenge
FREE! - Engineering Design Teacher Slides (editable)
FREE! - Editable Budget Sheet for Engineering Design Challenges
Design a Car Engineering Design Challenge | 1st Grade STEM Discoveries
Sailboat STEM Challenge - K-5 or 6-8
Simple Machines Toy Factory STEM Challenge
Other STEM Resources
NASA Space Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC)
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) | Texas Education Agency
Vivify STEM Space Library - free (Explorer Library) and paid (STEM Space All-Access: ALL Vivify lessons, PD, videos, and MORE) options
