mindMESA
32 Followers
Cañon City, Colorado, United States
About the store
The Expertise Behind the Innovation: With over 14 years of experience in the trenches of STEM education, we've led everything from all-female engineering cohorts to district-wide science initiatives. Our background isn't just in teaching science—it’s in advancing it through accessible technology. We’ve integrated programmable drones, CAD design, micro:bits, and 3D printing into curriculum that meets standards while capturing imaginations.
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Ultimate STEM Engineering Challenges Bundle | 12 Hands-On STEM Labs & Projects
Ultimate STEM Engineering Challenges Bundle | 12 Hands-On STEM Labs & Design Projects | NGSS AlignedGrades: 5–10 Subjects: STEM, Engineering, Physical Science, Life Science, Makerspace Resource Type: STEM Activity Bundle Formats: PDF + Editable Files (where noted) 🚀 A Complete Hands-On STEM Engineering Program This Ultimate STEM Engineering Challenges Bundle includes 12 classroom-tested STEM labs and engineering design challenges that get students building, testing, analyzing, and im
5th - 10th
Basic Principles, Engineering, Physics
Air Car STEM Challenge: Propeller Car Engineering Design Project (NGSS)
🚗 Air Car STEM Challenge: Build a Propeller-Powered Vehicle! Engineering Design Project | NGSS-Aligned | Grades 5–10 Turn your classroom into an engineering lab with this fast-paced, high-engagement STEM challenge where students design, build, and improve a battery-powered air car. The Goal: Create a propeller-driven vehicle that moves efficiently using thrust from a spinning fan. Students don’t just build—they test, analyze, and iterate, just like real engineers. ⚡ Why This Activity Work
5th - 10th
Basic Principles, Engineering, Physics
Scientific Method in Action — Penny Drop Lab: Design & Analyze
This lab transforms the abstract steps of the Scientific Method into a hands-on physical challenge, using the unique properties of water to teach students how to isolate variables. Activity DescriptionThe Penny Drop Lab is a classic introduction to experimental design. It focuses on Surface Tension and Cohesion—the "stickiness" of water molecules. Students observe how water can stack into a high dome on a penny before gravity finally wins. By introducing soap (a surfactant), they see firstha
5th - 9th
Basic Principles, General Science, Physical Science
Also included in: Scientific Method and Measurement Skill Labs Bundle
Be a Scientist! Research Poster — Scientist, Invention or Discovery
Be a Scientist! Research Poster & Presentation ProjectProduct DescriptionInspire the next generation of innovators with this no-prep, high-interest research project! Perfect for "Science Appreciation Week" or as an introductory "Nature of Science" unit, this activity allows students to take the lead. Students choose a Scientist, Invention, or Discovery that sparks their curiosity, research the "big ideas," and translate their findings into a visual poster and a 2-minute "expert" presentation.
4th - 9th
Basic Principles, General Science, Other (Science)
Also included in: Scientific Method and Measurement Skill Labs Bundle
Reproducibility Challenge Lab — Lego Structure: Write & Follow Steps
This activity, often called the "Peanut Butter and Jelly Challenge" of the engineering world, teaches students that scientific truth is only as good as the instructions used to find it. Activity DescriptionThe Lego Replication Challenge is a lesson in procedural writing and reproducibility. In science, a discovery isn't considered "fact" until another scientist in a different lab can follow the same steps and get the same results. By trying to build a Lego structure based solely on a peer's w
4th - 9th
Basic Principles, Other (ELA)
Also included in: Scientific Method and Measurement Skill Labs Bundle
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About the store
Experience
The Expertise Behind the Innovation: With over 14 years of experience in the trenches of STEM education, we've led everything from all-female engineering cohorts to district-wide science initiatives. Our background isn't just in teaching science—it’s in advancing it through accessible technology. We’ve integrated programmable drones, CAD design, micro:bits, and 3D printing into curriculum that meets standards while capturing imaginations.
Teaching style
Our Classroom Philosophy: We energize the learning environment with a blend of "maker" spirit and pedagogical expertise. Our style is experiential, hands-on, and deeply relevant. We don’t want students to just read about a concept; we want them to hold it in their hands. By bringing 3D design and cutting-edge tech into the classroom, we foster a space where students transition from being consumers of information to innovators and problem-solvers.
Beyond the Bells: Our commitment to the "educational frontier" extends to leadership and advocacy. We have successfully spearheaded mentoring initiatives and secured significant funding through DonorsChoose to revitalize science departments. At mindMESA, we aren't just selling files or prints—we are sharing a philosophy of collaborative, tech-forward, and joyful learning.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Georgia Tech STEM Educators Network Member, 2024
DeKalb PATH Academy Impact Teacher Award, 2021
U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Carson, CO, Mountain Mover Award, 2012
My own education history
Our educational journey is the DNA of mindMESA. With a Docctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Curriculum and Leadership from Columbus State University, where we specialized in how 3D printing and engineering interventions shape the way students see the world. Our 'E' and 'M' (Engineering and Math) come from a Master of Science in Biosystems Engineering Technology from the University of Tennessee, where we researched the physics of vehicle-terrain interaction. The 'S' (Science) was born at Berry College, where I earned a B.S. in Environmental Science, concentrating in Biology with a minor in Geology. Every print we make is backed by a lifetime of scientific inquiry.
Additional biographical information
Our journey reflects a deep commitment to innovation, collaboration, and educational excellence, with a clear vision to make a lasting impact on the field of STEAM education.
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