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In this episode, Dr. Peter Dalmaris and Marcus Schappi talk with John Burfoot.
John is a STEM robotics teacher and trainer. He is a Science and STEAM specialist in the state of NSW in Australia, for primary schools. He also facilitates and delivers technology workshops through the MacICT Innovations Centre at Macquarie University in Sydney.
John is also a founder of Sci-riffic, a company that delivers specialist science and robotics training for schools. As you will see, John has a passion for science and technology and a vast experience in teaching it. He also has a lot of experience outside of teaching, and in particular in communications, marketing, electronics, avionics, and as a special effects technician.
This is Stemiverse episode 8.
Stemiverse podcast is brought to you by Tech Explorations, a leading provider of educational resources for Makers, STEM students, and teachers. Go to techexplorations.com to see a complete list of our books and courses covering the Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and electronics.
Show Notes
- [spp-timestamp time=”00:00″] Introduction – Introducing John Burfoot
- [spp-timestamp time=”01:26″] John talks about his background, his apprenticeship in electronics & avionics, his love for movie-making and working for a special effects company, as a financial services consultant, and in communication & marketing
- [spp-timestamp time=”07:58″] How John became a teacher and his introduction to Lego Robotics
- [spp-timestamp time=”09:56″] Diverse backgrounds in other teachers: Typical or not?
- [spp-timestamp time=”11:06″] The diversity in the subjects John could teach due to his background
- [spp-timestamp time=”12:51″] John’s background in Communications in Westpac Financial Services
- [spp-timestamp time=”14:51″] Learning can be hard
- [spp-timestamp time=”22:45″] John’s current occupation with STEM Robotics
- [spp-timestamp time=”24:34″] Lego Educational Robotics Platform NXT
- [spp-timestamp time=”28:22″] Conducting science experiments with Lego
- [spp-timestamp time=”31:20″] What is STEM? The definition of STEM for new educators: Vague, but still evolving
- [spp-timestamp time=”33:52″] STEM: a methodology or a collection of subjects? John answers this question according to his experience in schools
- [spp-timestamp time=”36:01″] What does the STEM facilitator bring that a teacher doesn’t have?
- [spp-timestamp time=”38:42″] What an ideal STEM teacher looks like and how to empower teachers to do STEM: Technological and Methodological requirements
- [spp-timestamp time=”47:11″] The essence of STEM: Training children to think and act like scientists and engineers
- [spp-timestamp time=”50:22″] Rapid Fire Questions
- [spp-timestamp time=”50:40″] Who has been the most influential in shaping the way that you teach: Skip Ross, and his book Say Yes to Your Potential, Martin Seligman (Positive Psychology), Stephen R. Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)
- [spp-timestamp time=”52:33″] Advice to Educators just starting out: Understand electronics – Learn how to use LittleBits
- [spp-timestamp time=”58:09″] PD Recommendations: STEM conferences, Future Learning, Science Teachers’ Association of New South Wales, Australian Science Teachers Association
- [spp-timestamp time=”01:00:56″] Australia vs. the World regarding STEM teaching
- [spp-timestamp time=”01:03:31″] John’s Contact Information: Email: [email protected], Website: Sci-riffic