The Elementary STEM Coach Podcast

I'm sharing three of my favorite tools to use when 3D printing with K-5 students, and they might not be what you expect! From adding colorful details to finished prints without the hassle of multicolor printing to improving print bed adhesion, these simple, budget-friendly tools can make a big difference in your classroom. I'm also sharing a fun filament option that students absolutely love!

Resources Mentioned

• Lesson: Halloween 3D Printed Keychains & How-To Draws
• Glow-in-the-Dark 3D Filament Brands:Overture &MIKA3D
• Paint Markers (to color 3D designs)
• Alcohol Wipes to clean print bed
• Free 3D Printing Station

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode221

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

Want to try 3D printing with your students but aren't sure where to start? I'm sharing a fun, beginner-friendly 3D printing project that students can complete in just two class sessions—no previous 3D printing experience needed!

I'll walk you through how my students created their own Halloween-inspired 3D printed keychains using Doodle 3D Transform, a free, easy-to-use design tool that doesn't require student accounts or logins. From drawing their designs to exporting files, organizing student prints, and decorating the finished keychains, I'm sharing the entire process along with tips I've learned from teaching this project myself.

Whether you're brand new to 3D printing, looking for an easy project for younger students, or want a quick seasonal STEM activity, this lesson is a great way to get students designing and creating!

Resources Mentioned

• Lesson: Halloween 3D Printed Keychains & How-To Draws
• 5+ Spooky STEM Lessons Guide
• Doodle 3D Transform
• Glow-in-the-Dark 3D Filament Brands: Overture & MIKA3D
• 3D Printing Design Software: Doodle 3D Transform & Tinkercad
• 3D Printed Constellations (these also glow-in-the-dark!)
• Paint Markers (to color 3D designs)
• Keychain rings
• Free 3D Printing Station

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode220

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

9Add a little glow to your spooky STEM lessons this Halloween season! In this episode, I'm sharing three fun, hands-on STEM activities that glow in the dark and are perfect for bringing a little extra excitement into your K-5 classroom.

From building a glowing spooky house using just paper to experimenting with glow-in-the-dark slime and designing 3D-printed Halloween keychains. Plus, I'll share classroom tips, materials, and ways to make these projects easy to prep and teach.

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Spooky House Printable Template
• 15+ Spooky STEM Lessons Guide
• Glow-in-the-Dark Slime STEM Activity
• Glow-in-the-Dark 3D Filament Brands: Overture & MIKA3D
• 3D Printing Design Software: Doodle 3D Transform & Tinkercad
• 3D Printed Constellations (these also glow-in-the-dark!)
• Paint Markers (to color 3D designs)
• Keychain rings
• STEM & Stories for #goldilocks Digital Citizenship lesson: Private vs. Personal information

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode219

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

I love themed STEM lessons, and I know you and your students will enjoy these October STEM activities. I put together a mix of robotics lessons, Makerspace, and even technology options to help bring Fall into your classroom. These five fall STEM activities to try are perfect for one-day lessons, sub plans, or even class parties, especially since they are low-prep challenges.

Resources Mentioned

• Apple Life Cycle Robot Coding
• Pumpkin Life Cycle Robot Coding
• Printable Robotics Mats
• October Engineer Inspiration Board
• Halloween Engineer Inspiration Board
• Pumpkin STEM Activities
• Small plastic pumpkins (for Harvest Basket Challenge)
• Small plastic apples (for Harvest Basket Challenge)

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode218

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

In this episode, I’m joined by four elementary STEAM teachers who worked together to build a brand-new K–4 STEAM program across their district: Kristina Lodes, Jenny Bradley, Miranda Berry, and Mary Linneman.

We’re chatting about what that process actually looked like—from defining their roles and creating a curriculum to working with a budget, using materials they already had, and figuring out how to fit robotics, coding, engineering, makerspace, 3D printing, and more into a meaningful learning experience for students.

You’ll also hear about some of the biggest successes they’ve had along the way, including STEM Survival Camp, 3D printing, digital portfolios, and their district-wide STEAM Fest and Recycled Runway. Most importantly, they share how collaboration, having a strong starting point, and being willing to adapt lessons for their own students helped make an overwhelming process feel much more manageable.

Whether you’re brand new to teaching STEM or STEAM, helping build a program from scratch, or looking for ways to strengthen the program you already have, this conversation is packed with real-life ideas and encouragement you can use in your own STEM classroom.

Resources Mentioned

• Naomi Meredith’s K-5 STEM Year Long Plan Bundle
• STEAM T-Shirts that the team is wearing
• Episode 1 of Elementary STEM Coach Podcast: I’m a new STEM Teacher, what should I focus on?

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode217

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

If you’re wondering how to manage tape in your STEM classroom, you’ve come to the right place. This is a HOT TOPIC among the STEM teacher community! When I posted about this on my Instagram, @naomimeredith_, I showed the most common ways you might have students use tape in the classroom. The responses to this post spanned across the board, and there were other strategies shared as well!

Let’s dive into what you said and see where your strategy lands, and maybe you’ll gain a new strategy while listening.

Resources Mentioned

• Tape Instagram Post from @naomimeredith_
• Classroom Makerspace Menu

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode216

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

Having a Growth Mindset isn't just something important for STEM classes; it's important as a life skill. I'll be sharing Growth Mindset STEM lessons for 3-5 that you can teach in a week. Each lesson has a growth mindset theme to start as the focus, a paired kid-friendly video, a picture book to read to the class, and a hands-on activity to apply the skill.

These lessons not only work well in a STEM classroom setting, but in homeroom elementary classrooms as well!

Resources Mentioned

• Free Download-Week of Growth Mindset Plans
• Growth Mindset Video Playlist for Kids
• K-2 Growth Mindset Lesson Bundle
• 3-5 Growth Mindset Lesson Bundle
• 'We Create Work We are Proud Of' & Be You! By Peter H. Reynolds
• 'We Do Hard Things' &Someone Builds The Dreamhttps://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Someone-Builds-the-Dream-Paper-Bridges-STEM-Growth-Mindset-Lesson-for-3-5-17292234by Lisa Wheeler and Loren Long
• 'We Make Mistakes to Help Us Grow' &Builder Brothers Big Planshttps://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Builder-Brothers-Big-Plans-LEGO-Birdhouse-STEM-Growth-Mindset-Lesson-for-3-5-17268220By Jonathan and Drew Scott
• 'We Dream Big & Take Risks' &What Do You Do With an Idea?https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/What-Do-You-Do-With-an-Idea-Hoop-Gliders-STEM-Growth-Mindset-Lesson-for-3-5-17267192By Kobi Yamada
• 'We Look at the World in New Ways' &Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Have-You-Thanked-an-Inventor-Inventions-STEM-Growth-Mindset-Lesson-for-3-5-17303093By Patrice McLaurin **Innovator Thinking Strategies poster is in this resource

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode215

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

Having a Growth Mindset isn't just something important for STEM classes; it's important as a life skill. I'll be sharing Growth Mindset STEM lessons for K-2 that you can teach in a week. Each lesson has a growth mindset theme to start as the focus, a paired kid-friendly video, a picture book to read to the class, and a hands-on activity to apply the skill.

These lessons not only work well in a STEM classroom setting, but in homeroom elementary classrooms as well!

Resources Mentioned

• Free Download-Week of Growth Mindset Plans
• Growth Mindset Video Playlist for Kids
• K-2 Growth Mindset Lesson Bundle
• 3-5 Growth Mindset Lesson Bundle
• 'We Create Work We are Proud Of' &The World Needs Who You Were Made to Behttps://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-World-Needs-Who-You-Were-Made-to-Be-STEM-Growth-Mindset-Lesson-for-K-2-17084529
• 'We Do Hard Things' &Unflappable
• 'We Make Mistakes to Help Us Grow' &Rosie Revere, Engineer
• 'We Dream Big and Take Risks' &After the Fall
• 'We Look at the World in New Ways' &Perfect Square

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode214

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

STEM Survival Camp is a great way to get kids outside and look at the world in new ways. Through these lessons, you can authentically teach the Engineering Design Process. After many years of teaching these lessons to students in my classes, here are some tips and tricks I learned along the way that can help you too!

Resources Mentioned

• STEM Project Plan Rubric for Students (4 Star Plan)
• STEM Survival Camp Bundle: K-5
• 5th Grade: Build a Shelter
• 4th Grade: Design a Hiking Backpack
• 3rd Grade: Create a Game from the Land
• 2nd Grade: Protect the Food
• 1st Grade: Fishing Pole
• Kindergarten: Cross the River

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode213

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

How do you authentically teach students how to use the Engineering Design Process in K-5? I'm chatting with K-5 STEAM teacher, Bre Smith and how she uses STEM Survival Camp to kick off the school year with her classes, and has even made it a tradition to start the Back to School Season.

Resources Mentioned

• STEM Project Plan Rubric for Students (4 Star Plan)
• STEM Survival Camp Bundle: K-5
• 5th Grade: Build a Shelter
• 4th Grade: Design a Hiking Backpack
• 3rd Grade: Create a Game from the Land
• 2nd Grade: Protect the Food
• 1st Grade: Fishing Pole
• Kindergarten: Cross the River

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode212

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

Attending STEM teacher conferences can be such a blast, but also exhausting! You are gathering so much information within a few days, so how do you even implement it all? (Spoiler: you don't!) I'll be sharing my strategy on how I organize information I learn from these conferences in a meaningful way and actually use what I learned in the classroom.

Resources Mentioned

• Beekle & Unimaginary Friends Lesson (3D printing included!)

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode211

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

Have you wanted to 3D print with younger students but realized Tinkercad is too hard for them? Trust me, I've been there too! I love Tinkercad and prefer using it starting with 2nd graders. But for my younger students and one-day challenges, I prefer using Doodle 3D Transform. I'll be digging more into this app and sharing some lesson ideas along with tips when using it, including multi-color printing!

Resources Mentioned

• Join the 3D Printing Workshop for Teachers here
• XMaker 3D Printer
• Bambu Labs [Amazon Link] [Direct Website]
• My favorite 3D filament
• 3D Print Software, website & app: Tinkercad.com
• 3D Print Software, website & app: Doodle 3D Transform
• Beekle & Unimaginary Friends Lesson (3D printing included!)
• 3D Printing Lessons for Elementary Students | K-5 STEM Bundle
• 5th Grade 3D Print Project: Environment Invention
• 4th Grade 3D Print Project: Night Light with a Circuit
• 3rd Grade 3D Print Project: Life Cycle Model
• 2nd Grade 3D Print Project: Custom Birdhouse
• 1st Grade 3D Print Project: Animal Family Traits
• Kindergarten 3D Print Project: Earth Care Charm
• Freebie- 3D Printing Station Signs
• 3D Printing Video Tutorial playlist by Naomi [Tinkercad & Doodle 3D Transform]

Some items are linked to my Amazon Affiliate account. When you purchase through my link, there is no added cost to you, but I receive a small commission in return.

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode210

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

1:1 STEM Coaching Support: https://www.naomimeredith.com/coaching

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

While this show is all about elementary STEM, some of you teach beyond K-5 and even dive into preschool. What are some ways you can effectively plan preschool STEM lessons and keep them engaged? I'll share with you my strategies and a lesson topic that you can adapt for your classroom.

Thanks to Laural S. for sending in this question!

Send me your STEM questions, big or small, and you can be featured in an episode!

• Leave a voice message HERE
• Email: contactnaomimeredith@gmail.com
• Instagram DMS @naomimeredith_

Resources Mentioned:

• Grab all the links to the physical items below in one list here on my LTK page

• Story: Never Touch a Polar Bear by Rosie Greening
• Experiment: Animal Blubber
• Vegetable Shortening (for the “blubber” experiment)
• Gallon ziplock bags
• Craft: Paint a seal inside a bag
• Crayola Washable Paint
• Gallon ziplock bags
• Science/Sensory table station
• Arctic Animal Plastic Toys
• Arctic Animal Wooden Toys **similar to the wooden set I have. Just make sure to take out the penguin!
• White Pom Poms
• Flat Clear & Blue Marbles
• Scoops
• Clear Bowls
• Small Sensory Table **I have this one and it’s a great small size!
• Another sensory table option that’s similar
• Technology station
• Sparkly Picasso Tiles (Magnetic)
• Arctic Animal Magnet Tiles Set
• Portable Light Table
• Math Station
• Arctic Animal Puzzles
• Arctic AnimalSorting Game**just make sure to take out the penguin

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode209

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

1:1 STEM Coaching Support: https://www.naomimeredith.com/coaching

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

Welcome back to another year of the podcast! Excited to be back with this new podcast refresh!

We are chatting all about easy and helpful ways to get STEM Professional Development for elementary teachers that you'll actually use! Likewise, you can access all of this in the comfort of your own home or school; no need to travel anywhere!

• Get credit for listening to the podcast! Download the free podcast playlist categories & certificate.

• Follow me HERE on Like To Know It, LTK, for links to my favorite STEM products, outfits, and daily life behind-the-scenes

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links:https://naomimeredith.com/episode208

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• 3D Printing 101
• K-2 STEM Planninghttps://naomimeredith.podia.com/k-2-stem-workshop
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

1:1 STEM Coaching Support: https://www.naomimeredith.com/coaching

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

3D Printing with kids can be intimidating, especially if you don't have any outside experience to teach them. I felt the same way, and I almost wanted to give up on 3D printing. In fact, 3D printing is a STEM lesson I enjoy teaching and continue to learn about! In this episode, I'll be answering these common questions I get from teachers about 3D printing.

• What printer should I get?
• How do kids design 3D prints?
• What 3D printing lessons should I teach for each grade?

Resources Mentioned

• Join the 3D Printing Workshop for Teachers here
• XMaker 3D Printer
• Bambu Labs [Amazon Link] [Direct Website]
• My favorite 3D filament
• 3D Print Software, website & app: Tinkercad.com
• 3D Print Software, website & app: Doodle 3D Transform
• 3D Printing Lessons for Elementary Students | K-5 STEM Bundle
• 5th Grade 3D Print Project: Environment Invention
• 4th Grade 3D Print Project: Night Light with a Circuit
• 3rd Grade 3D Print Project: Life Cycle Model
• 2nd Grade 3D Print Project: Custom Birdhouse
• 1st Grade 3D Print Project: Animal Family Traits
• Kindergarten 3D Print Project: Earth Care Charm
• Freebie- 3D Printing Station Signs
• 3D Printing Video Tutorial playlist by Naomi [Tinkercad & Doodle 3D Transform]

Some items are linked to my Amazon Affiliate account. When you purchase through my link, there is no added cost to you, but I receive a small commission in return.

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode207

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planning
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

1:1 STEM Coaching Support: https://www.naomimeredith.com/coaching

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

Spooky season is coming to a close, so what are you going to teach in STEM now? These pumpkin STEM stations aren't Halloween specific, so they can work in November! What I like about them is that they can be adapted for all grade levels, K-5, and are low-prep. Once you have all the materials prepped, you are ready to go for a couple of weeks!

Here is a snapshot of the stations:

Science: Build and Label a Pumpkin (inside & outside)

Technology: Life Cycle of a Pumpkin robot coding

Engineering: Pattern Blocks Pumpkin Building

Math: Pumpkin Seed Counting

Grab all of these pumpkin stations and more in this collection: https://naomimeredith.com/tptpumpkinstem

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode206

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planning
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

1:1 STEM Coaching Support: https://www.naomimeredith.com/coaching

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

You've spent the first part of your teaching career as a general education teacher, and now you are stepping into the elementary STEM space. It's equal parts exciting, but also overwhelming.

What types of supports are out there to support you in this new-to-you role?

Well, you are definitely going to enjoy today's interview!

I am chatting with CEO of SmartLab, Dr. Jennifer Berry. The company's philosophy on how they support teachers and students is definitely one that I agree with and goes further than just teaching STEM lessons.

Dr. Berry’s background and deep leadership experience in K-12 education, plus her commitment to growing mission-oriented teams, make her the ideal leader to navigate the company’s next chapter of growth. She joins a leadership team already transforming how students experience and consume innovative career-connected curriculum with hands-on, STEM-infused learning,” stated Franklin Staley, Managing Director of Exeter Street Capital Partners and Chairman of CLS.

• Connect with SmartLab on LinkedIn
• Connect with Dr. Berry on LinkedIn
• Check out SmartLab's website
• Get Started Here! November 7, 2025- SmartLab STEM Identity Day

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode205

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planning
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

1:1 STEM Coaching Support: https://www.naomimeredith.com/coaching

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

Have you been on the fence about starting video school-wide news? Maybe you think you don’t have the right equipment, you need to go live each day, or that it’s too complicated. Whatever your hang-ups are about getting started, I was there too. However, I still got this started at my school, and it was such a success!

But don’t just take it from me.

In this guest interview, I am chatting with elementary teacher Rebecca Zide, who successfully implemented video school-wide news at her school with the help of my on-demand workshop.

She shares all her successes and learning moments while implementing these announcements at her school. I know you’ll find her stories inspiring and motivating to help you want to try this with your students!

• Need more help getting started? Check out my news workshop here!

• Watch one of Rebecca’s news episodes in action (shared with permission)

• Check out THIS local news story that was created about Rebecca’s news program

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode204

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planning
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

1:1 STEM Coaching Support: https://www.naomimeredith.com/coaching

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

If you wanted to dedicate a week to teaching students what each letter of STEM was, where do you even begin? You want the lessons to be simple enough to last for one class session, but still engaging.

This is Part 2 of a 2 part series where I will be giving you a week of lesson plans for Kinder-2nd grades on how to teach each letter of STEM in a week.

Grab the free PDF with the lesson plans here: https://naomimeredith.com/weekofstemplans

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links:https://naomimeredith.com/episode203

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planning
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

STEM Teacher Book Club: https://www.naomimeredith.com/stemteacherbookshelf

1:1 STEM Coaching Support: https://www.naomimeredith.com/coaching

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest

If you wanted to dedicate a week to teaching students what each letter of STEM was, where do you even begin? You want the lessons to be simple enough to last for one class session, but still engaging.

This is Part 1 of a 2 part series where I will be giving you a week of lesson plans for 3rd-5th grades on how to teach each letter of STEM in a week.

Grab the free PDF with the lesson plans here: https://naomimeredith.com/weekofstemplans

Head to the show notes for a full transcript of this episode, pictures, and all the links: https://naomimeredith.com/episode202

Download my Free K-5 STEM & Teach Year-Long Plan

Leave a voice message HERE for the podcast with your questions and comments!

TpT Shop: Naomi Meredith | https://www.naomimeredith.com/tptshop

Course: STEM Teacher 101

Workshops:

• K-2 STEM Planning
• 3-5 STEM Planning
• K-5 STEM Planning Bundle
• Stellar School-Wide News
• STEM Career Day

1:1 STEM Coaching Support: https://www.naomimeredith.com/coaching

Check out more inspiration on her website: https://www.naomimeredith.com

Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_

YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

Facebook Group: The Elementary STEM Coach Community | Technology & STEM for K-6 Teachers

Check out my other podcast for kids: The STEM Career Quest