202. Trashy STEM and a Review of SEEC

Show Summary:We’re kicking off the new year with a spotlight on real engineers and scientists who inspire our work in STEM education. This week, we’re featuring Lillian Gilbreth and the incredible impact she made on engineering and human factors.We’re also sharing highlights from our time at the 2026 SEEC conference — including the ideas, resources, and classroom-ready activities we brought back with us. And don’t miss the end of the episode, where we round up some of our favorite STEM news stories from the week!ENGINEER SPOTLIGHT: Lillian Moller Gilbreth (1878–1972) was an American industrial engineer and psychologist who pioneered ergonomics and human-centered design. She helped develop the Therbligs, a system for analyzing basic human motions to improve efficiency, and applied these ideas to both workplaces and everyday objects, including the foot-pedal step trash can. With more than 20 patents, Gilbreth showed how thoughtful engineering can simplify tasks and improve daily life!Links from the Show:Related The STEM Space Podcast Episodes 150. Screw the Standards! Or Should We? ft. Dr. PedersenVivify STEM Blog Posts Teaching Space Inspires YouthGo on a Mission to Mars! An inside look into Space Club’s Mission to MarsVivify STEM LessonsFREE! - Featured Engineer Lesson: Lillian Moller GilbrethDesign a Pneumatic Device Middle School STEM Unit | Engineering Our CosmosOther STEM ResourcesSpace Exploration Educators Conference (SEEC)Titan Curriculum: COMING SOON! - Fill out this interest form to receive it as soon as it releases!Cosmic Leap FoundationSpace for TeachersBlue Origin Educational ResourcesAstronaut Aymette Medina3D Lunar Rock FilesIn STEM NewsScientists Make Sound Waves Create “Levitating Time Crystals”Travel for EngineersYeast That Could Survive on MarsAI Solves a Dinosaur MysteryTurning Air Pollution Into Something UsefulTHE STEM SPACE SHOWNOTESTHE STEM SPACE FACEBOOK GROUPVIVIFY INSTAGRAMVIVIFY FACEBOOKVIVIFY XVIVIFY TIKTOKVIVIFY YOUTUBE