STEMrific Dispatch – Vol. 10: The Power of Connection

STEMrific Dispatch

Welcome to DocStemHub!

Welcome back, STEMrific community! This issue is all about connection—how forums, projects, and global resources empower educators, students, and professionals to co-create meaningful STEM experiences.

Let’s innovate, educate, and collaborate—together. So, grab your favorite cosmic mug (maybe one from our STEMrific collection) and prepare for lift-off!

Feature Story: Integrated STEM and Partnerships: What to Do for More Effective Teams in Informal Settings

Authors: Trina J. Kilty & Andrea C. Burrows  Published in: Education Sciences, 2022 Read the full article

Summary:

This study explores how undergraduate students from engineering, science, and education disciplines formed interdisciplinary teams to design and implement STEM projects in informal learning environments. The projects were ill-defined and authentic, requiring students to collaborate across disciplines and translate their work into K–12 lessons.

Key Findings:

• Teams progressed through stages of partnership: from pre-partnership to “big P” partnership, marked by shared goals and high-quality products.

• Integration of STEM disciplines was enhanced through engineering design practices and real-world problem solving.

• Partnerships fostered deeper learning, improved communication, and stronger educational outcomes.

• Informal settings (outside traditional coursework) encouraged creativity and collaboration.

Implications for Educators:

Where STEMrific Lives Online

Follow us across platforms and join the movement:

• X: @stemrific | @docstem

• Instagram: @stemrific

• YouTube: @stemrific

• TikTok: @docstem

• Bluesky: @docstem.bsky.social

• LinkedIn: STEMrific & DocSTEM

Community-Driven STEM Projects

Explore these authentic, classroom-ready PBL units:

NASA: Build an Anemometer
Grades 3–8 | Weather & Aeronautics
Download PDF
View Online

Carbon Busters – PBLWorks
Grades 9–12 | Environmental Engineering
View Project

Tiny House Challenge – PBLWorks
Grades 3–5 | Math & Social Impact
View Project

Placing Pets – PBLWorks
Grade 8 | Data Science & Empathy
View Project

Water Access Challenge – Discovery Ed
Grades 4–8 | Global Citizenship
Read Article

NASA TechRise Challenge
Grades 6–12 | Aerospace
Learn More

STEM Careers Coalition – Discovery Ed
Grades 6–12 | Career Readiness
Explore Coalition 

Global STEM Spotlight: Antarctica

Explore Earth’s southernmost frontier through STEM.

Quick Look:
Students investigate how scientists survive and conduct research in Antarctica. Tasks include:

• Designing shelters

• Exploring climate data

• Mapping penguin migration

• Simulating environmental challenges

Career Connections:
Glaciologist | Polar Engineer | Climate Scientist | Wildlife Biologist | Remote Sensing Specialist
🔗 Explore the Lesson Collection 

STEM Tools of the Month

• Padlet – Collaborative boards

• Flip – Video reflections

• Wakelet – Digital portfolios
  → Supporting STEM Learners
  → Wakelet for the Six C’s

• AI Bundle Overview

Join the #ThatisSTEMrific Movement

This month, we invite you to share your favorite space-themed classroom projects, setups, and stories about your students reaching for the stars!

• Tag and follow me on social media on Instagram with @stemrific.

• Use the hashtag #ThatisSTEMrific to connect with educators and innovators worldwide.

• Your inspiring story may be featured in our next edition!

Upcoming Events

 Mark your calendars for these exciting space-related opportunities:

July 22, 2025 – Navigating STEMrific Forums
Register

August 2, 2025 – Family STEM Day at Columbus State
Register

STEM is more than content—it’s culture. And culture grows through connection.
Let’s keep innovating, educating, and collaborating—together.

Final Notes

Thank you for joining us on this interstellar journey. Your passion for STEM continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible—both in the classroom and across the universe. If you’d like to contribute a guest article or share your classroom successes, simply reply to this email, and let’s work together to inspire the next generation of innovators!

Here’s to a bright future in STEM education, Dr. Warren Edwards, Creator of DocStemHub

 Stay Connected

🔗 Subscribe to STEMrific Dispatch
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#ThatIsSTEMrific | #STEMCultureMatters