S1 E7- Jason McKenna- Robotics in STEM Education

In this episode of the STEM Heroes podcast, host David Young talks to Jason McKenna of VEX Robotics. Jason shares his inspiring journey from being a classroom teacher who initially knew nothing about robotics, to falling in love with teaching STEM and coding through robotics. He provides a fascinating inside look at VEX Robotics, the largest STEM education provider in the world that engages millions of students from kindergarten through college.

Jason discusses the immense value of robotics in developing critical skills like problem-solving, collaboration, creativity and computational thinking in students. He gives insights into how schools can fund and implement robotics programs, whether through grants, corporate partnerships or their own budgets.

A major highlight is Jason's description of the exciting VEX Robotics World Championship, where over 25,000 students from 70+ countries compete with robots they've designed and coded themselves. He shares incredible stories of students' enthusiasm, teamwork and ingenuity at these events.

Throughout the conversation, Jason emphasizes the importance of embracing failure and complexity in the learning process, rather than just focusing on an end goal or final product. His advice is invaluable for teachers looking to bring more engaging, real-world STEM learning into their classrooms.

Whether you're an educator, student, parent or simply someone passionate about STEM education, this inspiring episode provides a captivating look into the world of robotics competitions and their powerful impact on student learning.

What is STEM Heroes?

Welcome to STEM Heroes, where we dive deep into the world of education, technology, and innovation.
Join us as we interview educators and STEM experts who are shaping the future with drones, robots, and cutting-edge technology.
Our goal is to showcase the endless possibilities that STEM offers for students, highlighting their achievements, success stories, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

In each episode, we engage in casual conversations with our guests, exploring their backgrounds in education, what inspired them to focus on projects involving drones, robotics, or other STEM areas, and the most memorable STEM projects their students have worked on.
We also delve into the challenges they've faced in implementing STEM initiatives, how they overcame them, and the resources and tools they find most helpful for teaching STEM effectively.

Through our discussions, we uncover how educators integrate real-world applications and industry knowledge into their STEM curriculum, offering valuable insights and advice for fellow educators looking to incorporate more hands-on STEM experiences. We also discuss the future of STEM education, particularly in relation to drones, robotics, and emerging technologies, envisioning a world where students are empowered to become the next generation of STEM leaders.

Join us on STEM Heroes as we celebrate the heroes of STEM education and inspire the innovators of tomorrow!