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Conceptual Understanding in STEM with Julie Stern

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  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRP7g4Sn5Fw Want to take your students’ conceptual understanding to the next level? I had the incredible opportunity to join the first cohort of Julie Stern ’s “Learning Transfer Endorsed Educator” course . As someone whose school uses a conceptual approach, I couldn’t pass up the chance to learn directly from the expert herself. Here is a breakdown of the key tool I learned—the Learning Transfer Mental Model —and how I used it to design a 4th-grade STEM project. Why We Need This Model Our world is becoming increasingly complex. Students need more than just information retention; they need to think divergently and apply knowledge to unpredictable challenges. The Learning Transfer Mental Model helps organizing information into “concepts”—fundamental elements that act like mental folders. This organization builds schema in the brain, allowing students to retain information better and transfer it to new contexts. The Storyboard Phases 1. Acquire (Sur...
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Day in the Life as a STEM Teacher

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQsDlL4bIXU In this video I wanted to share with you all a glimpse of what I did as a teacher, specifically as a 4th and 5th grade Design & Innovation Specialist at Singapore American School. Learn more about what I do here: www.lpbeta.org
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Fantasy Writing ... in STEM Education? - PBL, Science, & Writing

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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQbUrFo8WG8 As a learning designer, I love finding connections between seemingly disparate subjects. Recently, I collaborated with Sean Smith, a 5th-grade teacher, to merge two unlikely partners: NGSS Science standards (Ecosystems & Earth’s Systems) and Fantasy Writing. The result? A project-based learning experience centered on Worldbuilding . The Challenge: Connecting Middle-Earth to Science  We needed to integrate standards about matter, energy flow in ecosystems, and the interaction of Earth’s spheres (geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere). Looking at these concepts through an “eduPermaculture” lens, I realized they are essentially the rules that govern a world. This led me to J.R.R. Tolkien. His creation of Middle-earth wasn’t just about characters; it was about geography, history, and systems. This process is called “worldbuilding.” We used this real-world creative process to frame our driving question: How might we create a ...
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The Power of Passion & Inquiry In PBL Project-Based Learning

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  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPg9PPMPnoU What happens when you combine student passion with a framework for deep learning? You get meaningful engagement. This year, the Grade 5 Learning Community embarked on Personalized Inquiry Projects (PIPs)—long-term, transdisciplinary experiences co-designed by students based on their own interests. From Passive to Active Traditional learning can often feel passive, short-term, and siloed. PIPs flip the script. They are active, open-ended, long-term, and deeply personalized. Students weren't just completing assignments; they were driving their own learning journey. The variety of projects was staggering: Two students used Blender to design and mint NFTs, actually selling one on a marketplace. Another student prototyped custom sneaker colorways using design software. One group created a website with strategies for students with autism. Others built a Minecraft solar system, wrote original music, or designed digital comic book...
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Developing Students into Empathetic Creative Problem Solvers with Design Thinking

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCO0qh4_XrA If you look at the "About" page of almost any school website, you will likely find a mission statement about nurturing students to be "creative, collaborative problem-solvers." We all agree this is the goal. The Future of Jobs Report confirms that innovation and interpersonal skills are rising in prominence. However, when I entered the teaching profession, I have to admit I was ill-equipped to teach these skills. My training focused on content, not on how to design authentic experiences that empower students to design their own future. Through my journey to fix this gap in my own practice, I discovered Design Thinking . More Than Just Brainstorming : While traditional Creative Problem Solving (CPS) focuses on innovation, Design Thinking is the "ultimate toolkit" because it is rooted in empathy . It cultivates a human-centered culture where solutions are born from the needs of others. Putting It i...
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Addicted to the Screen! Do you have Media Balance?

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  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am_KYaOqyEc I love living in Singapore. It is usually sunny and beautiful, but even on rainy days, there is always something to do indoors. I recently spent an exhausting but fun ninety minutes just chasing my kids around—a stark contrast to how I used to spend my time. Before moving here, I was living in Korea. In my late 20s and early 30s, my life was glued to a laptop. I would start at 5:00 AM, work until school started, teach, and then jump back on the computer until 10:00 PM. I did this for years. Initially, the excitement of creating content and planning units fueled me. But quickly, that faded. I realized it wasn’t sustainable. I became cranky, low-energy, and easily frustrated. I shared this personal story with my 5th graders last week during our Digital Citizenship unit. We focused on media balance and the importance of reflecting on how we feel when using technology. The goal was to help them understand that they have the power to make ...
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How I Became an International Teacher (It Started Here Teaching English in Korea)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXGvn_vKFKw Korea was where my teaching journey started. Being here reminds me of Neil Gaiman’s concept of "the Mountain" —that distant goal that guides every decision we make. Korea was the start of my path toward my mountain. Looking back, I realize two things defined my early 20s. First, luck plays a huge role . I came to South Korea at 23 to teach English. By pure chance, the academy I chose was in the same building as an international school. I walked upstairs, asked about positions, and that serendipitous moment launched my international teaching career. Second, accountability forces growth . I was hired as a computer teacher despite knowing very little about technology. As Johnny Harris says, high accountability forces you to learn . I had to convince the administration I could do the job, then frantically upskill. That pressure is exactly what jumpstarted my journey into EdTech, Project-Based Learning and STEM education. To young educat...
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