January 2, 2025

It's officially winter, but we know educators are already planning their spring classroom activities. To support you, we've curated this collection of lesson plans, inspiring stories, and engaging activities, all designed to help you make the upcoming spring semester both exciting and educationally enriching for your students.

Sign up for the new Spark of STEM Coffee Break Series and be entered to

win one of five $10 Starbucks gift cards! When the new episodes air, you can grab a coffee and enjoy your break on us!

Explore the world of microelectronics with engineer and microelectronics expert Dr. Korine Duval, and learn how this important technology is leveling up for the future. Watch this episode. Click here for the FREE NGSS-aligned lesson. Want more ways to interact with this lesson? Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free.

Hear from Dr. Ciara Sivels to explore the diverse applications of nuclear engineering and gain a deeper understanding of the benefits this field brings to all of us. Watch this episode. Click here for the FREE NGSS-aligned lesson. Want more ways to interact with this lesson? Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free.

Discover welding as a critical, in-demand skill that incorporates many STEM disciplines with Chief Wellness Welder Shanen Aranmor of Weld Like a Girl. Watch this episode. Click here for the FREE NGSS-aligned lesson. Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free.

Explore the world of autonomous underwater vehicles with underwater robotics engineer Amy Kukulya. Watch this episode. Click here for the FREE NGSS-aligned lesson. Want more ways to interact with this lesson? Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free.

Learn about aerospace engineer Dr. Aprille Ericsson's decades-long career at NASA and her new role as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology.  Watch this episode. Click here for the FREE NGSS-aligned lesson. Want more ways to interact with this lesson?  Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free.

Discover how engineer and CEO Chandler Wicks uses creativity to tackle our nation’s toughest defense challenges. Watch this episode. Click here for the FREE NGSS-aligned lesson. Want more ways to interact with this lesson? Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free.

Learn from materials science engineer Dr. Angela Moran how the STEM field of materials science is driving groundbreaking innovations that benefit us every day. Watch this episode. Click here for the FREE NGSS-aligned lesson. Want more ways to interact with this lesson? Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free!

Learn about Capt. Ariel Knepper's role as an F-35 pilot with the U.S. Air Force! Watch this episode. Click here for the FREE NGSS-aligned lesson. Want more ways to interact with this lesson? Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free!

Join neuroscientist and professor Dr. Kay Tye and brain engineer Dr. Kafui Dzirasa for a captivating discussion about the brain. Watch this episode. Click here for the FREE NGSS-aligned lesson. Want more ways to interact with this lesson? Check out the lesson plan in PocketLab for free!

Join neuroscience educator Emma Bleakman for a crash course in neuroplasticity! Empower your students to take ownership of their own learning by utilizing these neuroplasticity activities and downloadable resources in ANY K-12 classroom.

Join Dr. Mike Heithaus and Chris Fischer for a deep dive into the importance of large marine animals, like sharks, to the deep-sea ecosystem. Watch this episode. Click here for the FREE NGSS-aligned lesson. Check out the lesson plan here in PocketLab for free!

Dive into this STEMusic Moment with Roy Moye III to learn all about the deep sea. Sing along as the lesson comes to life through exclusive lyrics and a fun music video. Watch this video.