Once Upon a Tech

Chapter Nineteen: We talk with scientist and STEAMKITX founder Merci Best

Have you ever seen a need in your community and wished you could do something to make a difference? Merci Best did - so she took her impressive scientific background, her amazing creativity, and her family of brilliant partners and brought that dream to life. This week, we’re hearing from Ms. Best about STEAMKITX - the company she founded to provide creative, engaging, hands-on and personally designed STEAM activities to the kids that need them most. Not impressive enough? She’s building STEAMKITX while earning a graduate degree and studying Alzheimer’s disease - so these STEAM activities are coming from a cutting edge scientist! Learn all about STEAMKITX (and how you can get some of these activities to your learner just in time for the winter holidays) on this week’s episode. Find resources here.

Chapter Eighteen: Kimberly Lane Clark shares her passion for CS, diversity & inclusion, blended learning, EdTech and more!

Techno girl, TedEd innovator, VSTE keynote speaker, Lego Master Educator, nonprofit board member… whatever you want to call her, Kimberly Lane Clark is awesome. From e-sports to Hour of Code and everything in between, Kim shares all about her amazing range of projects, advocacy, and what drives her in her many roles day to day. You won’t want to miss this episode! Find resources here.

Chapter Seventeen: We talk about the who, what, where, when, and why of misinformation

Misinformation, disinformation, fake news - whatever you call it, it’s wreaking havoc on our country right now. Sarah and Kim join forces with Seli from FTP to share our best tips for spotting fake and biased news. Find resources here.

Chapter Sixteen: We talk with Shannon Montague, Director of Professional Development at VAIS

How are teachers learning and growing while pandemic teaching? This week, we spoke with Shannon Montague, Director of Professional Development at the Virginia Association of Independent Schools. Shannon is the master of tech tools and PD, she shared her favorite resources and best advice for becoming a better educator no matter the circumstances. Plus, a bonus question - What do you think the “new normal” for education will look like on the other side of the pandemic? We’d love to hear from you. Find resources here.

Chapter Fifteen: We talk to the founders of FTP about media and politics

With a one of a kind election happening this week, we were excited to talk with Merry and Seli, founders of FTP (F*ck the Press) blog and podcast. Just 19 years old, they have a passion for politics and for breaking down the news to help young people navigate our current political and media systems. In this episode, they offer master class level advice for dealing with misinformation and news fatigue. So, if you need a break from the news or ideas for how to deal with information overload, don't miss this episode! Find resources here.

Chapter Fourteen: Kim and Sarah October check-in

Kim is getting into a groove as an EdD student at the School of Education at UVA. She is working on some next steps with Tech-Girls and caught up with some inspiring women in tech (and hopefully future guests). Sarah is making friends at her new school. She also reflects on banned books weeks - why it exists, what it means and why we should all care about it. Be sure to check out all the resources here.

Chapter Thirteen: We talk with Jean Leggett, CEO of One More Story Games

We had such a fun time learning and laughing with Jean! She is the CEO of an innovative edtech and video game startup with a deep passion for democratizing storytelling in games, plus she’s a standup comedian, international speaker, professional coach, and avid pie maker! She also recently launched a podcast - Games, Grit & Gratitude: Real Talk. Find resources here.

Chapter Twelve: We talk with Chic Thompson & Kayla Canario

We talk with Chic Thompson, founder of WagiLabs and Kayla Canario, K-12 Education Project Manager at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education about brainstorming, design thinking, playing games, integrating STEM, Kidpreneurs and being the buffalo! Find resource here.

Chapter Eleven: We talk to Melissa Phillips about her journey from teacher to data scientist

We first met Melissa Phillips as a middle school math teacher and now she’s a data scientist. Learn how bringing students to a math competition inspired her new journey! We also revisit imposter syndrome and some things we have learned to do to deal with it. Find resources here.

Chapter Ten: We catch up on our new adventures this fall

Sarah and Kim are both on new adventures this fall! Kim is now a full-time Ed.D. student in Curriculum and Instruction at the UVA Curry School of Education. Sarah is in a new position at a new school as the Distance Learning Coordinator or as she refers to it, a Professional Optimist. Find resources here.