I’m truly glad you’re here! I’m passionate about STEM and about education, but I’ve found that passion alone isn’t enough. Teaching STEM takes knowledge, energy, and persistence. This site and my new book can help you help all students be successful STEM learners!
Exciting news! You can now order the new edition of STEM By Design: Tools and Strategies to Help Students in Grades 4-8 Solve Real World Problems. This revised and expanded volume homes in specifically on details to help you design quality integrated STEM projects that encourage your students to become the creative thinkers, innovators, and collaborators our communities need for life in our rapidly changing world.
As you visit this resource website or read the companion book STEM by Design: Tools and Strategies to Help Students in Grades 4–8 Solve Real-World Problems, this is a good place to ask questions, share your thoughts, or suggest favorite STEM resources. I promise to respond!
Use these study questions as you read STEM by Design (Routledge, 2025) individually or in a team. Often a team study will surface more ideas, generate discussions, and drive learning deeper. Choose those questions that will spark the most learning for you.
by STEM by Design · Published December 23, 2024 · Last modified January 3, 2025
Written by STEM teaching expert Anne Jolly as a free supplement to her book STEM By Design (2016), the Student Teaming Tips Handbook is a starter set of ideas teachers may find useful for priming kids to work creatively and productively in STEM teams. Download the PDF!
Book Excerpts / Integrated STEM
by STEM by Design · Published December 16, 2024 · Last modified January 14, 2025
STEM is, first and foremost, a way of teaching that helps prepare students for learning and working in the real world. You will be engaging your students in science, technology, engineering, and math as they exist in everyday life – interwoven and integrated.
Adapting STEM Lessons / More STEM Resources
by STEM by Design · Published December 16, 2024 · Last modified January 11, 2025
You’ve located a possible STEM lesson, but how can you be sure it’s of good quality? First and foremost the lessons need to be shaped by STEM principles and criteria. Check out Anne Jolly’s specifications and see how she analyzes potential teaching material.
by Anne Jolly · Published December 16, 2024 · Last modified December 19, 2024
Anne shares a great animated video from the National Academy of Sciences that gives a concise overview of “integrated STEM” and what it might look like in your classroom. After you watch, check all the resources she’s prepared to help teachers facilitate STEM learning.
More STEM Resources / Teen Inventors
by STEM by Design · Published December 15, 2024 · Last modified January 14, 2025
We can spark student interest in STEM studies and careers with stories of middle school-aged inventors who gained the world’s attention by solving a real problem. STEM author and curriculum expert Anne Jolly tells the story of eight such kids.
by STEM by Design · Published December 15, 2024 · Last modified December 18, 2024
Teachers need to consider some pragmatic issues when designing a solid STEM lesson, including basic information about your students, effective teaching practices, available resources, and more. Use these questions to help you anticipate and think through what’s ahead.
Book Excerpts / Realistic STEM Challenges
by STEM by Design · Published December 15, 2024 · Last modified January 15, 2025
Problem-solving is a central feature of STEM. But coming up with real-world engineering problems for kids to solve can be challenging in itself. Here are some ideas for places to explore for project ideas and a few tips to guide you in making the best selections.
