Friday, February 1, 2019

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2019 Homeschool STEM Conference--Online Speakers

I am super excited to introduce the speakers for the 2019 Homeschool STEM Conference to you! This is a group of incredible teachers and parents who are sharing their expertise to help make STEM education in homeschool an exciting adventure that everyone can do!










If you click on the image, you will be taken to that speaker's website. If you scroll below the images, you can read more about each speaker and what topics they will be presenting!

During the conference you will receive life-time access to all of the sessions! Don't miss any, and replay your favorites as often as you want!

2019 Homeschool STEM Conference-Online Speakers:




*more coming soon!*



Ana Dziengel:

Session(s): STEAM for all Ages


Anne Carey:

Session(s): Why Add the A(rt) to STEM?



Amanda Brandon:

Amanda Brandon is a homeschooling mother of three who believes deeply in hands-on exploration as a learning tool. She was a curious kid who taught herself an array of handicrafts and research skills. She spent hours investigating topics and reporting on them in her “newspaper.”  Before she had a full house, she spent several years as a brand journalist “curating” resources for business owners, sales teams and technology industry blogs. She’s now using this “curator” experience to educate her three curious kiddos.

Blessed with three intensely curious kiddos who must put their hands in water, slime or some other substance on a regular basis, she’s using curiosity as a foundation for their homeschool. After purchasing multiple science curricula and numerous supplements, she decided to use her “curating” experience to dedicate one day per week to exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math with her kiddos. They call it STEAMSDay and it’s their favorite day of the week to dive deep and explore big questions and how things work. This day is dedicated to critical thinking, collaboration, scientific exploration, artistic expression, real-world math, and technological discovery.  You can follow her on Instagram for a real-life view of STEAMSDay @aworkofgod. She’s also sharing their weekly STEAMSDay guide on her blog www.aworkofgod.com starting in March.

Session(s): STEAMSDay: How to Devote a Day a Week to Hands-On, Real-Life Learning


Carla Mae Jansen:

Carla is a science teacher turned homeschool mom (with five kids) who likes to go on adventures and try new things. She has a BS and MA in science teaching, 10 years of experience homeschooling, and a passion for child-led, interest-driven education. She loves STEM and science education because of the opportunities it gives children to build confidence, solve problems, and connect to real-world learning. She writes at Preschool Powol Packets and Teaching Without Chairs.

Session(s): STEM Exploration for Preschoolers, What is STEM & Why is it Important?


Christy McGuire:

Session(s): A Hands on Method for Learning Math Facts


Christy Saludares:

Christy is a Mechanical Engineer by profession, but left her career 5 years ago to stay home to raise her 3 boys. Now she shares her love of math, science, and engineering with her boys and others through fun, hands-on STEM activities. Her hope is to show kids that STEM is fun, and to inspire the next generation of engineers! You can find Christy online at fromengineertosahm.com .

Session(s): Hands-on examples of Simple Machines




Eve Hullette:


From the time she was small, Eve’s father inspired her with a love for mathematics. To him, math was a puzzle to solve or a game to play. His curiosity was contagious. After earning a B.S. in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University, her passion for solving logical and mathematical problems led her to a computer-programming career.  One very kind husband and three children later, she has focused her love for learning on homeschooling her own children with her first entering university last fall. She loves to encourage other homeschooling families on their journey—and especially to share practical ways to ignite a love for math in students that currently find it impossible or boring. In her mind, the study of math should not be just another worksheet to complete, but an exploration into patterns that can be understood, applied to other subjects, and even enjoyed.  In her free time, Eve enjoys spending time doing whatever her family happens to be into at the moment.


Session(s): Why RightStart Math Works

Felicia Johnson:

Felicia is a mama of 8 kiddos and has been homeschooling for almost 17 years. Her kids range from 20 years old to 1. Science is a favorite subject in our house for no other reason than the world around us is an amazing testimony to God's amazing power. As a military family, the Johnson's have had an amazing opportunity to experience many different climates, habitats, and cultures. Felicia shares her adventures on Instagram and Facebook, while blogging about chaos and finding rest at The Zoo I Call Home.

Session(s): High School Chemistry Can Be Fun, High School Biology Can Be Fun, Animal Sciences for High School

Greg Norris:

Greg is a Hardware and Software Developer at GHI Electronics and works with the BrainPad Microsoft MakeCode Team.

He was homeschooled for three years of his schooling. It's impact has contributed greatly to who he is. 

He worked in TV production for nearly 30 years. Recently, he went back to school and changed career direction and moved into programming--something he had always done as a hobbyist but never a career. 

He's been working with Microsoft for the last 2 years on creating a block based editing interface for coding hardware. 

Session(s): Block-Based Programming Basics, Resources, and Insider Secrets


Jennifer Elia:

Jennifer Elia, homeschool consultant, curriculum creator, blogger, and author, is Founder of Aurelius Cabrini Homeschool Resource Center which is dedicated to giving homeschool moms the tools they need to thrive in their home education career. Jennifer provides one-on-one consulting, personalized and original curriculum plans, and practical advice for those just beginning their homeschool journey, as well as those who just need a little boost. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and four children whom she has been educating at home for the past 10 years. When Jennifer isn’t busy researching the best curriculum solutions, she enjoys gardening, crafting, and writing. You can find Jennifer on Facebook and Pinterest.

Session(s): STEM Success for Poets & Other Non-Science People


Julie Polanco:


Julie Polanco is a 16+ years veteran homeschooling mom of four challenging, artsy kids. She is the author of two books for moms--God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn and 100 Ways to Motivate Kids--and the high school botany instructor for www.SchoolhouseTeachers.com. Julie has been featured in several publications and blogs, including Today's Parent, Old Schoolhouse magazine, Some Assembly Required, Homeschooling with Heart blog, and Alternative Health Guide. She teaches live middle school science workshops for her local homeschool co-op and is actively involved in her church's women's ministry. You can find her at www.julienaturally.com where she offers natural learning & living solutions for challenging kids and their families.  

Session(s): How to Make Science Boxes, Tips for Teaching Non-Science Teens




Karyn Tripp:

Karyn Tripp is a former public school teacher turned homeschool mom. She has homeschooled her 4 kids (ages 14 down to 5) for 11 years now. She is the author of the blog Teach Beside Me where she shares creative teaching ideas and educational printables.  She loves coming up with fun new ways to teach hard subjects, and is passionate about helping kids love learning. Karyn is a co-author of best selling the STEAM Kids book series and is currently working on her first solo book, a math-art book. Karyn grew up in southern Florida, but now lives in the Utah mountains. When she is not teaching her kids, blogging, or writing, you can find her reading a book, baking cookies, or training for a half marathon. You can also find her on Facebook at Teach Beside Me!

Session(s): Integrating Art into Math & Science


Katoyia Bellamy:



Katoyia Bellamy is the founder of Our Learning Curve (www.ourlearningcurve.co), a source for culturally inclusive online/home learning.  She helps parents and guardians enrich their child(ren) 's educational experiences whether via homeschooling or supplementing traditional school options by providing culturally inclusive curriculum options.  She is a former 2nd-grade teacher and has been homeschooling her own children for the past 12 years.  Currently, she is a candidate for an MA/ Ph. D. in Africana and Latin American Studies. She chronicles her life as a single mom homeschooling 3 gluten free vegetarian children while working from home at Being Mama Dot (www.Beingmamadot.com) and offers support for other families doing the same. 

Session(s): STEM for Children of Color


Kerry Tracy:

Kerry taught 2nd  - 7th grades in public schools for 10 years.  She now creates teaching resources and delivers professional development to parents and teachers around the world to help them uncover more feel-good teaching moments in their lives, with brain-busting work disguised as fun (AKA: STEM Challenges).  You can learn more about Kerry on her websites: STEM Challenge and Feel-Good Teaching.

Session(s): Introduction to STEM Challenges


Leah McDermott:

Session(s): Outdoor STEM


MaryAnne Kochenderfer:


MaryAnne Kochenderfer is the fourth of ten children, raised in five countries on three continents. She now lives in California’s Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children: Emma, Johnny, Lily, and Anna. MaryAnne has a Masters in education and a Ph.D. in medicine. She blogs at Mama Smiles – Joyful Parenting about building a rewarding family life through mindful parenting and educational and creative family activities.  

Session(s): Homeschool STEM for Kids


Meryl van der Merwe:

Meryl van der Merwe homeschooled her 4 children and during that time started teaching at the local homeschool co-op. She still teaches there - as well as online at FundaFunda Academy Before homeschooling she ran her own computer software company. Meryl also hosts the Homeschooling with Technology podcast. In her spare time, she loves reading and traveling. Follow her on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.


Session(s): STEM Contests, Why all students should learn to code, How to Start a Math Club


Michelle Huddleston:

Michelle Huddleston is the author behind lifestyle blog With the Huddlestons; owner of a virtual school for home educating families, Huddleston Academy; founder of a nonprofit organization, More Than Minority; and international author and speaker. She is a brick-and-mortar teacher turned stay-at-home mompreneur currently raising and homeschooling four blessings in the Bluegrass State (Kentucky). When she's not homeschooling, Michelle can be found creating new curriculum resources, self-publishing books, blogging about life, and building a thriving virtual community. She also enjoys Bible journaling, teaching English to Chinese children (YAY VIPKID), wrestling with the kiddos and cuddling up with the hubby while watching a good movie. Through her little corner of Internet-land, Michelle desires to positively impact others and teach them how to live unapologetically authentic. 

Session(s): Creative Ideas from a Non-STEM Loving Mama



Sarah Benton Feitlinger:

Sarah Benton Feitlinger, M.Ed (Science Education) is a seasoned science teacher with over a decade of experience teaching in traditional classrooms, nature centers and museums. Currently a work-at-home mom, she runs a science, STEM and STEAM activity blog for teachers and families called Share it! Science, as well as being a contributing education writer for several websites and consulting with local schools on curriculum mapping and science curriculum development. Sarah has a passion for making science understandable and accessible for everyone. She loves being outdoors, spending time with family, exploring nature, discovering great children’s books and gardening. She also was a homeschool student from 6th to 8th grade!

Session(s): Best Resources for Developing Your Own Science Curriculum, Engaging Hands and Minds with the 5E Inquiry Model, Using Picture Books to Teach Elementary STEM



Tal Hoover:

Tal Hoover is the founder of Blessed Grove Homeschooling and Academy. She is a professional educator, curriculum writer and homeschool mother of 7 children.  Her spare time is spent creating and publishing educational resources and operating her small baking business.

She has over 14 years of home education under her belt, and nearly a decade of experience in tutoring, online education, and writing. Tal specializes in teaching Biblical and world history, multicultural studies, comparative religions, art history, and of course, professional artisan cookie decorating.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Leadership and also holds certificates in criminal law and paralegal studies.  Missions work, mentoring and empowering not only her own family, but others is her top priority. She loves connecting with those that are seeking to educate their own children and become entrepreneurs to promote self-sufficiency. Visit her online at http://blessedgrove.weebly.com

Session(s): STEM in the Kitchen, STEM Across the World, STEM Homeschooling With Multiple Grade Levels



Trisha Stanley:

Trisha is a science educator and mom of three. She is the creator of the blog Inspiration Laboratories where the focus is on encouraging learning through play. Trisha taught high school science for 5 years before staying home with her kids. Before she was a classroom teacher, she was in the informal science realm working as an education specialist at an aquarium and zoo. She loves writing science curriculum and activities that incorporate hands-on learning. Her passions also include connecting kids to nature and finding great books to read.

Session(s): Play-based STEM













Happy Educating,
Carla



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