In this episode of Legend Makers, Scott Buell sits down with Elizabeth Allen, an inspiring STEM advocate and curriculum developer. Elizabeth’s journey in education started in South Korea, where she dove into teaching at a Jesuit immersion school alongside her family. This international experience taught her the power of flexible, creative learning environments. She shares how small class sizes, immersive teaching, and the freedom to go beyond rigid curriculums allowed her to accelerate student growth—like teaching kindergartners to read Harry Potter!
Elizabeth's approach emphasizes cross-disciplinary learning by integrating arts and reading into STEM to create STEAM or STREAM experiences. For her, making lessons engaging is key to unlocking students’ potential. She advises new teachers to have a clear sense of purpose and be willing to learn from others by observing experienced educators. Elizabeth believes in nurturing curiosity and connecting learning with real-world applications.
A major theme in this episode is Elizabeth’s passion for sustainability and the role of drones in solving global challenges. She highlights projects like Dendra Systems’ tree-planting drones and Scotland’s Ecosene initiative, which turns plastics into rocket fuel. Her vision includes empowering students to engage in youth-led drone-based environmental projects, combining technology and conservation in meaningful ways.
Elizabeth also shares practical advice for classroom management, highlighting the "1-2-3 Magic" method for younger students. She encourages teachers to embrace mentorship and find ways to continuously improve, believing that lifelong learning is essential to staying effective in the classroom.
Why You Should Listen: This episode is a must-listen for educators and innovators looking to enhance student engagement and explore creative STEM teaching methods. Elizabeth’s story demonstrates the power of breaking traditional molds to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators.
Resources:
• Dendra Systems Drones: [ Ссылка ]
• Book: "1-2-3 Magic" for classroom management: [ Ссылка ]
• High Tech High: [ Ссылка ]
• Experience Corps (by AARP): [ Ссылка ]
• Cosmos with Cosmos Podcast: [ Ссылка ]
• Ecosene: [ Ссылка ]
Join us to hear how Elizabeth Allen is redefining STEM education through creativity, sustainability, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
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