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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It Takes Guts! Anatomy Project — Research an Organ & Model the Body
This project turns the classroom into a collaborative anatomy lab, where each group contributes a specialized component to a unified "Class Body." By focusing on one organ in-depth and then integrating it into a life-size model, students visualize the spatial relationships and biological dependencies that define human life. Activity DescriptionThe "It Takes Guts!" Poster Project is a research-based modeling activity. Students move from abstract diagrams to a physical, to-scale representation
4th - 8th
Anatomy, Biology
Also included in: Human Body Systems Bundle
Human Body Systems Foldable Lab — Organs, Functions & Connections
This Cut & Lift Flap Activity is a highly effective "interactive notebook" exercise. It helps students move from seeing the body as a single unit to understanding it as a complex hierarchy of specialized systems working in unison. Activity DescriptionGetty Images Explore The Human Body Systems Foldable acts as a visual encyclopedia of anatomy. By physically lifting a flap to reveal the organs and functions beneath, students use active recall—a powerful memory strategy. The activity emphasiz
5th - 9th
Anatomy, Biology
Also included in: Human Body Systems Bundle
Robotic Hand Anatomy Engineering Lab — Tendons & Movement Model
This lab transforms engineering materials into a functional anatomical model, allowing students to visualize the mechanical "pulley system" that allows our bodies to move. Activity DescriptionThe Robotic Hand Model Lab is a biomimicry challenge where students recreate the complex interaction of the human hand. By using rigid straw segments as bones and flexible string as tendons, students observe how a pulling force (contraction) at the wrist results in motion at the fingertips. This models t
4th - 9th
Anatomy, Biology, Engineering
Also included in: Human Body Systems Bundle
Working Lung Model Engineering Lab — Boyle's Law & Breathing
This lab uses the principles of Boyle’s Law to demonstrate how the human body manipulates air pressure to sustain life. It is one of the most effective ways to visualize a process that happens internally and invisibly every few seconds. Activity DescriptionThe Working Lung Model is a physical simulation of the thoracic cavity. By pulling on the bottom balloon (the diaphragm), students increase the volume inside the cup (the chest). This creates a vacuum (low pressure), forcing outside air to
5th - 9th
Anatomy, Biology, Engineering
Also included in: Human Body Systems Bundle
Build a Neuron Lab — Model Dendrites, Axon & Class Neural Network
This biology lab bridges the gap between individual cell structures and the complex "social network" of the human brain, showing how biological form dictates electrical function. Activity DescriptionThe Build Your Own Neuron lab is a 3D modeling exercise that allows students to visualize the polarity of a nerve cell—meaning signals only travel in one direction. By using pipe cleaners for the dendrites (inputs) and the axon (output), and beads to represent the insulating myelin sheath, studen
4th - 9th
Anatomy, Biology, Psychology
Also included in: Human Body Systems 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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