As education faces new challenges from technology and an ever-changing labor market, the need for public-private partnership in education is as important as ever. Local governments and business organizations everywhere are realizing this need, and building partnerships and advocacy groups to help make these necessary connections.

The state of Michigan has long relied on public-private partnerships to prepare students for jobs of the future, and it has adjusted its work to include STEM, STEAM, and workforce development. One such example is its STEAM Ahead program launched in 2021. Spearheaded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), STEAM Ahead creates hands-on career experiences for students interested in STEAM-related positions. More than 150 companies are participating organizations and include companies of all sizes from Magna to Nexteer to Collins Engineers. Since launching in 2021, the program has placed 1,700 interns, and has a focus on key economic drivers for Michigan through the next decade, including EV & mobility, semiconductors, life sciences and devices, clean energy, defense & aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

Spencer Lucker, Director of Strategic Talent Initiatives at the MEDC, shares how this partnership is identifying and fulfilling job needs before they are realized, and amplifying success stories of school-business partnerships.

One such example is the EV/Mobility Digital Curriculum that is bringing industry, higher ed and PK12 partners together to identify curricular gaps and create content that supports career pathways connections at Elementary and Middle School levels (cdc.engin.umich.edu/electric-vehicle-mobility-curriculum-description/)

Connect with Spencer & the MEDC:

• MEDC Website: michiganbusiness.org
• MEDC's STEAM Ahead Program: michiganbusiness.org/steam-ahead/
• MEDC's PK-12 STEM Grants: michiganbusiness.org/talent-action-team/pk12-stem-grants/
• Michigan's MiSTEM Network: michigan.gov/leo/boards-comms-councils/mistem
• Spencer's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/spencerflucker/

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
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• YouTube: @dailystem

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Born a patriot, Dr. Leslie Gruis spent 30 years as a mathematician and intelligence officer at the National Security Agency, where she helped develop technology solutions that balanced national security with civil rights. She later served at U.S. Cyber Command and the National Intelligence Council. Now retired, she writes and speaks on privacy, surveillance, and democracy—making complex topics accessible for everyday Americans. Dr. Gruis is the author of Privacy: Past, Present, and Future, The Privacy Pirates, and a forthcoming third book. She also mentors K–12 STEM students, with a special focus on middle school girls.

Dr Gruis on math: "In my experience, students rarely struggle with content alone. What they often lack is confidence and context. Many bright students are afraid to try, afraid to fail, or unsure how what they’re learning fits into the real world. The most impactful thing educators can do is show them that problem-solving isn’t about perfection—it’s about curiosity."

Dr Gruis on privacy: "One crucial point is that privacy is not just a personal preference—it’s a civic right. When we give up privacy, even in small ways, we weaken our ability to think, speak, and dissent freely. It’s not just about protecting data; it’s about protecting civil rights. Devices like Ring doorbells, fitness trackers, and smartphones collect massive amounts of data, often without people fully realizing the long-term social impacts. This normalization of surveillance makes it even more urgent that we think critically about the trade-offs."

Connect with Dr Gruis:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/leslie-gruis-b8060b141/
• Get a copy of The Privacy Pirates
• Learn more about Cyber Corps sfs.opm.gov

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
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• YouTube: @dailystem

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Elliot Lichtman started teaching online classes in computer science when he was a freshman in high school. Small classes quickly grew into a series of larger and longer offerings, and from those, his book The Computer Always Wins was born. Elliot is currently a sophomore at Yale University.

In The Computer Always Wins, Elliot Lichtman teaches some of computer science’s most powerful concepts in a refreshingly accessible way: exploring them through word games, board games, and strategy games everyone already knows. This book will provide not only a deeper understanding of foundational programming techniques but also a new appreciation for the amazing feats that can be accomplished using simple, readable code.

Connect with Elliot:

• Website: thecomputeralwayswins.com
• Instagram: @thecomputeralwayswins
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elliot-lichtman-728004279/

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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What can a couple of high school students do to encourage STEM interest and skills?

For Edison Law and Revaant Srivastav, that meant starting the California STEM Academy, an online option to provide tutoring help in subjects such as Math, Science, Coding, and PSAT prep. They also help students with passion projects, as well as providing summer "boot camps" to build up specific STEM skills. And what started as just two students has grown to almost 20 students helping others to experience the joy and success in STEM that they have achieved.

California STEM Academy is officially registered as a nonprofit organization under IRC section 501(c)(3) that is 100% student-run. They are passionate about helping all students learn more about STEM and discover the resources they need to be successful. As they grow, they hope to continue emphasizing the importance of STEM for every student!

Edison and Revaant will be seniors in 2025-2026 at Monte Vista High School in California. They are both extensively involved in STEM organizations at their school and hope to continue their education in the STEM fields.

Connect with the California STEM Academy:

• Website: californiastemacademy.org
• Updates on current opportunities: californiastemacademy.org/updatespast-programs

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
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• YouTube: @dailystem

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Should we teach our kids "21st century skills" or should we rethink what that means and start teaching "workplace durable skills"?

Dan Thomas just retired from a 30+ year career as an educator in New York. He's been a STEM and PBL consultant, and a LEGO education, Makey Makey, and Code.org trainer.

As a teacher, he's sought to revolutionize education through play and technology, believing that learning should be an adventure (with an occasional Dad joke thrown in too).

He recently published his first book, Sir Prise and the Bridge of Ingenuity on XFactor Publishing (find a copy here: amazon.com/dp/B0F625DXYR)

Dan is also the host of The Tech Ed Clubhouse podcast, where he has great conversations about education with a wide variety of guests.

Connect with Dan:

• Website: coachthomastech.com
• Twitter/X: @coachthomastech
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/coachthomastech
• Instagram: @coachthomastech
• Book on Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B0F625DXYR
• Listen & subscribe to the-tech-ed-clubhouse podcast

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
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At what age should we begin focusing on STEM learning? According to Jeremy Anderson, the data overwhelmingly shows that students are already forming interest and thoughts on STEM careers when they're in elementary school. That makes it vital to look at how we include STEM career introduction at a younger age. In discussions about STEM, math often takes a backseat as focus shifts to science and technology. However, a strong math foundation is essential for students to succeed in these field, and effective math instruction starts with high-quality professional development for teachers.

Jeremy Anderson is the CEO of the National Math + Science Initiative (NMSI), a team of dedicated professionals and teacher coaches who share a common vision: to close opportunity gaps and increase college access for all students through rigorous STEM programs. With over 25 years of experience in K-12 education policy, and plenty of educators in his family, Jeremy sees firsthand the need for improved Math and Science instruction.

Before joining NMSI in August 2023, Jeremy served as the president of the Education Commission of the States (ECS), and has a background in strategic communications, political campaigns, public affairs, and government relations, which enables him to effectively advocate for NMSI's proven STEM solutions and partnerships.

Learn more about NMSI on Episode 283 with Carlos Romero

Connect with Jeremy & NMSI:

• The National Math & Science Initiative nms.org
• Free STEM Lessons from NMSI
• Twitter/X: @nmsi
• Facebook: @nationalmathandscience
• YouTube: @MathAndScienceNow
• Instagram: @nmsination
• Jeremy's LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeremy-anderson-3027a314

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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The education software space is filled with plenty of choices for helping kids design and create. That's especially true in the CAD space, as programs like Tinkercad appeal to younger kids and Fusion/AutoCAD/OnShape & more are great for older students.

SelfCAD is a new software choice that combines the best of block/shape design from Tinkercad and the higher level design of traditional CAD software. SelfCAD doesn’t require months of training, nor is it limited to professional engineers and mathematicians. SelfCAD was designed with the goal of simplifying the user interface and the overall 3D design and printing process that is intuitive, easy to use and easy to learn, especially for beginners. SelfCAD believes that 3D CAD software, in addition to being intuitive and easy to use, should still include advanced tools for modeling, sculpting, and preparation for 3D printing, to ensure that the design process is as real-world and authentic as possible and presents no barriers to creativity.

SelfCAD is a professional-grade 3D modeling software platform, ideal for both beginners and advanced users, offering a robust set of tools for 3D modeling, sculpting, and rapid prototyping.

In terms of education, SelfCAD's mission is to address the skills gap in STEM education, specifically in 3D technology. They aim to empower educators worldwide to create engaging, technology-rich learning environments that prepare students for a future driven by creativity and innovation. SelfCAD even offers curriculum and training, career exploration and technology applications curriculum, and grant writing support for 3D technology grants (for printers, scanners, etc.)

Connect with Kara & SelfCAD:

• Website: selfcad.com
• YouTube: @selfcad
• Facebook: @selfcad
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/selfcad/

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

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For more than 40 years, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation (ASF) has supported the brightest minds in STEM, with its Astronaut Scholars making groundbreaking contributions—from launching payloads into space to pioneering agricultural innovations and advancing congenital heart disease research. The prestigious Astronaut Scholarship is known nationwide for being among the largest merit-based monetary scholarships awarded to college level STEM juniors and seniors. ASF has a life-long relationship with each Astronaut Scholar and provides them with mentors, professional and personal development and opportunities to network with astronauts, C-suite level executives and industry leaders to help advance their careers.

Established in 1984 by six of the surviving Mercury 7 Astronauts along with Betty Grissom, William Douglas and Henri Landwirth, the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation has awarded over $10 million in scholarships to more than 850 students.

What makes this scholarship truly special is its mentorship component: every Astronaut Scholar is paired with a mentor who helps to guide their academic journey and professional growth. Now, former Astronaut Scholars who once benefited from this mentorship are paying it forward as mentors themselves.

Tomas Collado is a 2024 Astronaut Scholar and Mechanical Engineering major from Washington University in St. Louis. His mentor, Adero Paige, is a 2004 Astronaut Scholar Alum who also serves on ASF’s Board of Directors. Their stories illustrate the lasting impact of mentorship and the power of investing in the next generation of STEM leaders.

Connect with The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation:

• Website: astronautscholarship.org
• YouTube: @astroscholarfdn
• Instagram: @astronautscholarfdn
• Facebook: @AstroScholarFdn
• LinkedIn: astronaut-scholarship-foundation

Chris Woods is the host of the STEM Everyday Podcast... Connect with him:

• Website: dailystem.com
• Twitter/X: @dailystem
• Instagram: @dailystem
• YouTube: @dailystem

Get Chris's book Daily STEM on Amazon

Support the show