Podcast: STEM in the Middle & Elementary Years

STEM is such an engaging tool for inspiring students to learn about their world!

We chat with two amazing STEM teachers from Leicester Public Schools who are working hard to help their learners understand STEM from the early years and onward. Listen in to Dr Matthew X. Joseph and Mr James DePace as they describe some of the lessons & activities they’ve used to help STEM shine in their district.


More about Dr Matthew X. Joseph


Dr. Matthew X Joseph is currently the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Leicester Public Schools. He has been a school and district leader in many capacities in public education over his 25 years in the field. Experiences such as the Director of Digital Learning and Innovation, elementary school principal, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist. These experiences have provided Matt incredible insights on how to best support teaching and learning and led to nationally published articles and opportunities to speak at multiple state and national events. He is the author of Power of Us: Creating Collaborative Schools and co-author of Modern Mentoring, Reimagining Teacher Mentorship (Due out, November 2019). Follow him on Twitter @matthewxjoseph and visit his blog techinnovation.live

More about James DePace


James DePace is currently a middle school STEM educator in the Leicester Public Schools in Leicester MA. For the past five years has been teaching STEM in grades 6-8. Before moving into STEM education, he spent 15 years in aviation. His time in aviation allowed him to teach Flight and Space class authentically due to his years of personal experience. Other classes that James teaches include Automation and Robotics, Design and Modeling and Computer Programing. James is enthusiastic and passionate which is evident in his classroom. He works closely with the state STEM organizations to stay current in his practice and add his experience to the curriculum development. He was co-chair of the 2019 PLTW state conference at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Follow him on Twitter @mrdepace.

About the FizzicsEd Podcast

With interviews with leading science educators and STEM thought leaders, this science education podcast is about highlighting different ways of teaching kids within and beyond the classroom. It’s not just about educational practice & pedagogy, it’s about inspiring new ideas & challenging conventions of how students can learn about their world!

Hosted by Ben Newsome from Fizzics Education

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Happy teaching,

Ben Newsome CF FRSA

Categories: : Podcast, STEM