Exploring Stem
American Public University
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Science, technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) describe and build the world in which we live. The Exploring STEM podcast investigates how these disciplines are practiced and their impact on us and our societies. To learn more about our STEM educational programs, visit StudyatAPU.com.
Available episodes
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May 14, 2021
SciFest, STEM Fairs Drive Student Passion for Solving Real-World Problems | EP13
Our world is increasingly technologically driven, so it’s critical to equip youth with the knowledge, skills, and passion that results from STEM learning. But STEM curriculum provides more than knowledge, it teaches students critical thinking and problem-solving skills and gives them confidence about their abilities. In this episode, APU professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to Sheila Porter, the founder of SciFest in Ireland, which hosts 10,000 students each year for its STEM competition. Learn how STEM projects actively engages students in learning, provides essential life skills, and helps solve real-world problems. She also encourages adults and older learners to investigate STEM-based pursuits because it’s never too late to learn about the wonders of our modern world.
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Apr 30, 2021
Autonomous Cars Will Change Travel Forever | EP12
How people get from place to place will look very different in the not-too-distant future. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU STEM professor Dr. Karen Hand about the evolution of autonomous cars. Learn about the current use of semi-autonomous technology in many of today’s cars, the testing of autonomous semi-trucks transporting goods, and other projects aimed at integrating autonomous vehicles on the roadways. Also learn about road safety benefits, ethical issues, security measures, and how people will need to adjust their thinking about owning and driving their own vehicles.
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Apr 16, 2021
Drone Technology Showcases Innovation of STEAM Education | EP11
Learning how to design, build, fix and fly a drone requires the application of all aspects of a STEAM education. In this episode, APU professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to Stevenson Demorcy about teaching drone technology as part of a STEAM education program. Learn about the development of the drone program, and how it supports students’ real-world use of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematic knowledge.
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Apr 2, 2021
The Challenges of Teaching STEAM Programs | EP10
While the educational value of STEAM programs is widely recognized, the lack of curriculum standardization makes it especially difficult for those teaching STEAM. In this episode, APU professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt talks to STEAM teacher Holly Leskovics about the immense research and work she has done to develop STEAM curriculum for kindergarten through fifth grade. Learn about resources to help teachers stay up-to-date with changing technology, how to retrain kids that failing is an important part of learning, and why STEAM programs must be widely integrated in all grade levels.
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Mar 19, 2021
Pursuing a Career in Science: The Value of Vision | EP09
After she graduated with a Ph.D. in atmospheric sciences and meteorology, Dr. Jamese Sims found that she was often the only woman, the only Black person, and also the youngest person in the room. In this episode, she talks to APU professor Dr. Kandis Wyatt about how she taught herself to speak up and be assertive so she could effectively communicate her ideas and her expertise. Also learn about her strategy for creating a personal vision and setting attainable life goals by better understanding her personality, strengths, weaknesses, and passions as well as attending training, finding mentors, and developing a strong support system.
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Mar 5, 2021
Insights into Meteorology and Atmospheric Science | EP08
Meteorology is an ever-changing and fascinating field that affects so many areas of life. In this episode, hear from APU professor Dr. Lorenza Cooper about his passion for studying weather events and why he believes students of all disciplines should have a better understanding of atmospheric science. Also learn about his strategy for discussing climate change, career opportunities for those interested in meteorology including interdisciplinary work with the Space Force, and the university’s expanding course offerings so students can gain a more in-depth understanding of atmospheric science.
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Feb 19, 2021
Adding the Arts: Shifting from STEM to STEAM | EP07
The principles of STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math—drive innovation and advancements in the modern world. But one critical component that is often overlooked is the arts. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt about the benefits of adding arts into the mix and promoting principles of STEAM both in education and in industry. Learn how focusing on STEAM can open up a new world to students to help them become vital and impactful contributors for the sustainability of the future.
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Jan 22, 2021
STEM Careers Offer Many Paths | EP06
Pursuing a career in science can be an exciting journey fueled by passion and discovery. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU STEM Program Director Dr. Shelli Carter about her fascinating science career that ranged from conducting groundbreaking research that helped identify neurotransmitters linked to epilepsy to innovative forensic work for the federal government. Learn why it’s so important for everyone to pursue scientific literacy and dispel myths that prevent people from pursuing a career in science or STEM.
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Jan 8, 2021
What Does it Mean to be a Cybersecurity Professional? | EP05
Cybersecurity is an extremely broad field that is integrated into so many aspects of an organization. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU Cybersecurity Program Director Dr. Kevin Harris about what individuals should know about career opportunities in cyber and IT professions. Learn why IT and cyber professionals must have the skills to collaborate with all levels of management and why it’s so important to increase diversity in tech fields in order to fill many of the open IT and cyber positions.
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Dec 25, 2020
The Benefits and Complexities of Artificial Intelligence | EP04
Big data is collected and processed to provide insight about nearly every facet of modern life. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks with Dr. Zona Kostic, a computer scientist who specializes in data visualization and machine learning, about the benefits of artificial intelligence. Learn how AI is being used during the COVID-19 pandemic and how new systems like Explainable AI (XAI) are being used to help data scientists understand how AI systems “think” and come up with decisions.
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Dec 11, 2020
Environmentalism Today | EP03
How has environmentalism changed in recent years? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU Associate Dean of STEM programs Dr. Danny Welsch about the effects of politics on environmental issues and changes to environmental activism. Learn about the current debates surrounding climate change, growth in the usage of alternative energy sources like wind and solar, and what individuals can do to help the environment by reducing consumption, buying food locally, and more.
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Nov 27, 2020
STEM Prepares Students to Have a Problem-Solving Mindset | EP02
The principles of STEM are integrated into so many of today’s jobs in often surprising and exciting ways. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to American Public University STEM professors Drs. Danny Welsch and Shelli Carter about their own career paths and their work as educators to find creative and unique ways to teach STEM in the online classroom. Learn about some of the hesitations students often have about pursuing a degree in STEM, and how success in STEM isn’t about “smarts” as much as putting in hard work to develop an innovative and problem-solving mindset that can then be applied to nearly any career field.
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Nov 13, 2020
Innovation in STEM: Education and Career Considerations | EP01
Innovation drives the modern world. In the first episode of Exploring STEM, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks with Dr. Ahmed Naumaan, Dean of the School of STEM at American Public University, about the challenges of teaching students how to be innovative thinkers. Learn about new developments in the STEM curriculum designed to allow students to explore different aspects of STEM to help them find their passion while also learning about potential career opportunities.
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