209. 5 Mistakes Almost Every New STEM Teacher Makes (And What to Do Instead)

9/25/2026

Are you making one of these common STEM teaching mistakes? Don't worry! Most of us have!

In this episode, Natasha and Claire break down five mistakes that are especially common when teachers are new to STEM education. They'll talk about why focusing too much on the finished product can actually get in the way of the engineering design process, how real-world connections can transform a simple building challenge, why students sometimes need us to stop giving them the answers, and why great STEM teachers don't try to do everything alone.

They also explore the importance of reflection and iteration—and the story of James Dyson's 5,127 prototypes reminds us that a design that doesn't work isn't necessarily a failed learning experience.

Whether you're brand-new to STEM or you've been teaching it for years, this episode is an invitation to look at your STEM lessons through a different lens: less emphasis on making something that works the first time, and more emphasis on creating students who know what to do when it doesn't.

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209. 5 Mistakes Almost Every New STEM Teacher Makes (And What to Do Instead)

Vivify STEM

Links from the Show:

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• Access FREE STEM Lessons! Become a Member of The STEM Space by Vivify STEM

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