From STEM to STEAM, a Conversation with Brooke Brown

In our latest episode of The Schoolyard Podcast, host Nancy Chung welcomes Brooke Brown, a National Board Certified Teacher, National Presenter, and Curriculum Author specializing in STEM, Makerspaces, Coding, and Robotics.

Nancy and Brooke explore the world of STEM education and the importance of including the arts in STEAM education to prepare students for future challenges.

Brooke’s background in education has driven her passion for creating innovative products that foster engaging learning experiences. She emphasizes the significance of STEAM in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world innovation and equipping students with essential skills for an evolving job market.

They discuss STEM education, and Brooke shares personal stories of integrating the arts into STEM projects, which has led to unexpected breakthroughs and memorable learning moments for her students.

Brooke also talks about her favorite STEAM lessons, including chain reactions, pumpkin catapults, and paper roller coasters, highlighting the excitement and engagement these activities bring to students.

The episode concludes with a fun segment where Brooke imagines a STEAM superhero team, showcasing the unique powers each member would bring to solve global challenges. Listen in to hear who makes it on Brooke’s squad!

To learn more about Brooke Brown and her resources for STEM and STEAM education, visit her website and connect with her on social media.

Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on education in upcoming episodes of The Schoolyard Podcast. Class dismissed!

Brooke Brown

Brooke is in her 18th year of teaching literacy and STEM in Oklahoma. After 10 years teaching grades 1-3, she now serves as a Gifted Resource Coordinator for early childhood students, focusing on Gifted and Talented, STEM, Math Enrichment, and Advanced Literacy for grades K-2. Her classroom also functions as a Makerspace for grades K-2 on Mondays and Fridays.

Brooke is passionate about creating hands-on, innovative resources to foster engaging, play-based learning experiences. She is a National Board Certified Teacher as an Early Childhood Generalist and was honored as Roosevelt Elementary Teacher of the Year and Norman Public Schools District Teacher of the Year for 2013-2014. She holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Oklahoma.

Brooke has authored resources for Teachers Pay Teachers and created STEM Bins® and Reading Construction Toolkits. Balancing teaching with family life, she spends quality time with her husband of 15 years, Andy, and their two children, Ellie and Beau.

Learn more about Brooke at Teach Outside the Box.