The STEMPunX Podcast
STEMPunX is a multi-episode web series and podcast designed to present Science, Technology, Engineering, (Art), and Mathematics in an educational and entertaining package to educators, students, job-seekers, prospective employers, geeks, brainiacs, and all-around fun-loving information-seeking encyclopedists. (Is that a word..?)
Listen on:
Episodes
Sunday Feb 25, 2024
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Sunday Jan 28, 2024
Oh My! People in California are keeping their kids inside because of cougars. But cougars (aka mountain lions) are actually saving human lives by keeping deer populations down. Bill explains.
Saturday Jan 13, 2024
Saturday Jan 13, 2024
Bill cuts to the chase by letting a rattlesnake loose and letting us know they are useful if not especially friendly.
Monday Jan 01, 2024
Monday Jan 01, 2024
Casual ephemeral connections add variety to life...and can be found in nature!
Friday Dec 22, 2023
Friday Dec 22, 2023
Bill conjures up a Fisher -- it's not what you think and it is real. Watch out porcupines!
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Happy Thanksgiving!
Bill takes us on his yearly story journey into the branches of one of the largest Ponderosa pines in Klickitat County -- right in his own back yard.
Monday Nov 13, 2023
Monday Nov 13, 2023
It's time for new beginnings and finding common ground. "Only Kindness Matters" -- Jewel.
Happy World Kindness Day
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Wednesday Nov 08, 2023
Amid snow the clad landscapes, one promontory draws Bill's attention. Sometimes unknown territory speaks to us more than that which we know.
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wednesday Nov 01, 2023
Wildlife Biologist Bill Weiler begins his STEMPunX hosting journey with a short exploration of leaves... they're more than just for jumping into.
Saturday Oct 31, 2020
Saturday Oct 31, 2020
After quite a hiatus, Joe is back with a lot of info about Steelhead and their amazing lifecycle. Also, due to his diligence, he hooks and lands a nice fish on camera for you.
See how STEM is integral to one of America's great outdoor pastimes.
The video version of this episode, which includes a LOT of visual information, is available HERE.
Links to explore:
Columbia River Information
U.S Fish and Wildlife Service - Steelhead Trout page
List of dams in the Columbia River watershed
Swimming Upstream: Computational Hydrodynamics of Trout Locomotion
Further reading:
Federal decision to keep Snake River dams in place is now official; dam debate is far from over
Join the STEMPunX team for as little as a dollar a month. Gain access to bonus material and STEMPunX perks on our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/STEMPunx
Music:
Music composed and performed by:
Kit Garoutte
http://kitgaroutte.com
Sponsors
Coddiwomple Creative- A coddiwomple is a purposeful journey towards a vague destination. Coddiwomple Creative makes art and just about anything they're inspired to create from a place of joy. Check out their newest items at: http://www.coddiwomplecreative.com
AND:
Thank you to all of our Patreon STEMPunX. We are so grateful for you all. Please share this podcast to help us continue our goal of bringing STEM education to everyone.
Send us your feedback at: stempunx@gmail.com
Credits
The STEMPunX Podcast is hosted and produced by Joe Garoutte.
CoProducers: E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
Editing: Joe Garoutte
Videography & audio recording: Joe Garoutte
See all the STEMPunX fun at STEMPunX.com
Thursday Jul 16, 2020
Thursday Jul 16, 2020
It's HONEY HARVEST TIME! But this time it's High Tech. Joe uses the FLOW hive system and explains its use. Joe and STEMBoT also cover some bee anatomy. This short episode will give you just the right "taste" of an easier and STEM advantaged approach to bees and beekeeping.
The video version of this episode, which includes a LOT of visual information, is available HERE.
Links to explore:
More information about FLOW hive at: https://www.honeyflow.com
Anatomy of the honeybee info here.
A quick-start guide to honey bee antenna.
Join the STEMPunX team for as little as a dollar a month. Gain access to bonus material and STEMPunX perks on our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/STEMPunx
Music:
Music composed and performed by:
Kit Garoutte
http://kitgaroutte.com
Sponsors
Coddiwomple Creative- A coddiwomple is a purposeful journey towards a vague destination. Coddiwomple Creative makes art and just about anything they're inspired to create from a place of joy. Check out their newest items at: http://www.coddiwomplecreative.com
AND:
Thank you to all of our Patreon STEMPunX. We are so grateful for you all. Please share this podcast to help us continue our goal of bringing STEM education to everyone.
Send us your feedback at: stempunx@gmail.com
Credits
The STEMPunX Podcast is hosted and produced by Joe Garoutte.
CoProducers: E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
Editing: Joe and Michael.
Videography & audio recording: Joe Garoutte
See all the STEMunX fun at STEMPunX.com
Thursday Apr 30, 2020
Thursday Apr 30, 2020
Co-producer Michael Friend interviews a special guest in Portugal! Science is everywhere, and somehow hearing this interview makes it plain.
As we face global issues like climate change and CoVid-19 we all need to appreciate that we're in it together.
Mentioned in the episode:
Centro Ciência Viva de Tavira
https://www.circuitoscienciaviva.pt/cvcenters
ALSO: Since we discussed climate change in this episode we were asked by one of our screeners for more information on what to do.
Please look at our other episodes for ways we can help our planet.
Join the STEMPunX team for as little as a dollar a month. Gain access to bonus material and STEMPunX perks on our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/STEMPunx
Music:
The outro music for this episode is by Amanda Palmer. She was the inspiration for choosing to offer our podcast for free and let listeners decide if they want to support us on Patreon. Thank you AFP! We love what you are doing. Get more info, and support her if you can, here: https://www.patreon.com/amandapalmer
#amandapalmer
Sponsors
Coddiwomple Creative- A coddiwomple is a purposeful journey towards a vague destination. Coddiwomple Creative makes art and just about anything they're inspired to create from a place of joy. Check out their newest items at: http://www.coddiwomplecreative.com
AND:
Thank you to all of our Patreon STEMPunX. We are so grateful for you all. Please share this podcast to help us continue our goal of bringing STEM education to everyone.
Send us your feedback at: stempunx@gmail.com
Credits
The STEMPunX Podcast is hosted and produced by Joe Garoutte.
CoProducers: E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
Editing by Joe and Michael.
See all the STEMunX fun at STEMPunX.com
Friday Mar 27, 2020
Friday Mar 27, 2020
In the midst of one of the toughest times we may ever face, are there lessons to learn? Of course there are, if we choose to see them. Joe and STEMBoT navigate a switch in topics for this podcast and share some very pertinent information that everyone can use.
Mentioned in the episode:
Fake animal news abounds on social media as coronavirus upends life
https://apple.news/AE5raICV-TmKeraFR5WSJJA
Exploiting wildlife poses risks to human health.
https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/489299-coronavirus-shows-exploiting-wildlife-poses-risks-to-human-health?utm_term=Wildlife&emci=40181372-d36e-ea11-a94c-00155d03b1e8&emdi=9bc4ef24-816f-ea11-a94c-00155d03b1e8&ceid=1905020
Snopes on swans and dolphins in Venice
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/dolphins-swans-italy-lockdown/
Blue Skies Over Beijinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9654d4dwVmw
Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service
https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/flawed-estimates-effects-lockdown-measures-air-quality-satellite-observations
NASA Ozone information
https://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov/facts/SH.html
Southern Skies Benefit from a Rare Climate-Diplomacy Success (International Ozone Treaty)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-25/how-scientists-say-diplomacy-has-helped-close-the-ozone-hole?srnd=premium
1987 Montreal Protocol
https://www.state.gov/key-topics-office-of-environmental-quality-and-transboundary-issues/the-montreal-protocol-on-substances-that-deplete-the-ozone-layer/
Fake Bill Gates letter
https://artofquotation.wordpress.com/2020/03/23/bill-gates-the-corona-covid-19-virus-is-sent-to-remind-us-of-the-important-lessons-that-we-seem-to-have-forgotten-and-it-is-up-to-us-if-we-will-learn-them-or-not/
BONUS INFO
I was going to discuss wildlife more, and the need to return balance to our natural habitat and food chain, but the episode was long as it was. So here is a quick treat for you. :-)
Washington has all its carnivores back with return of this furry predator
https://apple.news/At7_QEDeNTYeRbPmcceTvlA
ALSO: Since we discussed climate change in this episode we were asked by one of our screeners for more information on what to do.
Please look at our other episodes for ways we can help our planet.
Join the STEMPunX team for as little as a dollar a month. Gain access to bonus material and STEMPunX perks on our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/STEMPunx
Music:
The intro and outro music from this episode was written and performed by Rachel Moore-Beitler. You can check out her many other tunes at:
https://soundcloud.com/unapologetically
The background music was written and performed by Dany Burns. You can check out the MANY albums this young and talented artist has created at:
https://technocinema.bandcamp.com
Sponsors
Coddiwomple Creative- A coddiwomple is a purposeful journey towards a vague destination. Coddiwomple Creative makes art and just about anything they're inspired to create from a place of joy. Check out their newest items at: http://www.coddiwomplecreative.com
AND:
Thank you to all of our Patreon STEMPunX. We are so grateful for you all. Please share this podcast to help us continue our goal of bringing STEM education to everyone.
Send us your feedback at: stempunx@gmail.com
Credits
The STEMPunX Podcast is hosted and produced by Joe Garoutte.
CoProducers: E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
Editing by Joe and Michael.
See all the STEMunX fun at STEMPunX.com
Wednesday Jan 01, 2020
Wednesday Jan 01, 2020
BONUS LENGTH EPISODE...!!! Joe and Michael interview Oliver and Jim Yue about LEGO robotics and learn that the FIRST LEGO robotics program is about SO much more than just building a cool robot. The info was so good we couldn't cut it down any further. Enjoy the world of LEGO robotics clubs and competition and the amazing values it teaches our youth.
Show Notes:
FIRST is the company behind the LEGO leagues. - The mission of FIRST® is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.
More info here.
Oregon State Championship tournaments are scheduled for January 18th and 19th, 2020 at Liberty High School in Hillsboro - info here: https://ortop.org/fll/fll-team-resources/fll-tournaments/.
RESULTS for Columbia Gorge competitions in December 2019:
Overall 1st Place Champions: RoBobs from Hood River; The Snackateers from Wildwood Academy.
Overall 2nd Place Champions: Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun! from Wy’east Middle; Gear Spinners from Goldendale Middle School.
These additional top teams advanced to the state tournament: 256 Block Limit from Hood River Middle; City Sisters from Wy’east Middle; Wizards of Laser Forks from Hood River Middle; Fire Breathing Ducks from Wasco County 4-H; Finer Things Club and Sunshine Shapers from Klickitat School; Astro Boys from Wy’east Middle; MACS Robotics Team!
MACS Robotics from the Gorge is also going to state!
Additional top awards for outstanding performance:
Core Values Award: City Sisters from Wy’east Middle; Sunshine Shapers from Klickitat School.
Project Award: Wizards of Laser Forks from Hood River Middle; Fire Breathing Ducks from Wasco County 4-H.
Robot Design Award: 256 Block Limit from Hood River Middle; The A-Team from Klickitat School.
Robot Performance Award: S256 Block Limit from Hood River Middle; Astro Boys from Wy’east Middle.
Rising Star Award: Robotic Rats from Trout Lake School; Cookie Monsters from Wasco County 4-H.
Mentioned in the episode:
ROBOT TURTLES - The very fun coding "game" for preschool children to enjoy coding without knowing that's what it is. And by the way, our 4th graders still like it.
See their website here. Also, I think its creator, Dan Sapiro deserves a shout out because he's cool and doing things for the right reasons. He also crowdfunded a really cool laser called GlowForge. We have one, it's fantastic. :-)
Portmanteau: a word blending the sounds and combining the meanings of two others, for example motel (from ‘motor’ and ‘hotel’) or brunch (from ‘breakfast’ and ‘lunch’): podcast is a portmanteau, a made-up word coined from a combination of the words iPod and broadcast.
Coopertition® is a portmanteau used by the FIRST company. Coopertition® produces innovation. At FIRST, Coopertition is displaying unqualified kindness and respect in the face of fierce competition. Coopertition is founded on the concept and a philosophy that teams can and should help and cooperate with each other even as they compete.Coopertition involves learning from teammates. It is teaching teammates. It is learning from Mentors. And it is managing and being managed. Coopertition means competing always, but assisting and enabling others when you can.
Gorge Tech Alliance- GTA - crgta.org. The Gorge Tech Alliance connects, supports and develops the tech community of the Columbia River Gorge.
Wildwood Academy - wildwood-academy.org
Swift programming language: SWIFT.
Ready Player One: Good movie viewing, and a portion of the living concept upon which our guest, Oliver, and his team, likened their project to. READY PLAYER ONE
Join the STEMPunX team for as little as a dollar a month. Gain access to bonus material and STEMPunX perks on our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/STEMPunx
Music:
All music from this episode written and performed by Duncan Krummel. You owe it to yourself to listen to him play, and his compositions played by others.
Check out his accomplishments and compositions at duncankrummel.com.
Sponsors
Coddiwomple Creative- A coddiwomple is a purposeful journey towards a vague destination. Coddiwomple Creative makes art and just about anything they're inspired to create from a place of joy. Check out their newest items at: http://www.coddiwomplecreative.com
AND:
Thank you to all of our Patreon STEMPunX. We are so grateful for you all. Please share this podcast to help us continue our goal of bringing STEM education to everyone.
Send us your feedback at: stempunx@gmail.com
Credits
The STEMPunX Podcast is hosted and produced by Joe Garoutte.
CoProducers: E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
Editing by Joe and Michael.
See all the STEMunX fun at STEMPunX.com
Monday Oct 28, 2019
Monday Oct 28, 2019
Should we expect Cursive to be taught in school? Is there a benefit? Is it wasted time since we use technology so much? Joe and STEMBoT share some data so you can form your own decision.
Links to explore:
Why we should Stop Teaching Handwriting.
Cursive is making a comeback.
Top 10 Reasons to Learn Cursive.
Cursive is Dumb.
Why cursive handwriting needs to make a school comeback.
Why Don't the Common-Core Standards Include Cursive Writing?
Common Core Reinforced Not Teaching Cursive.
What is the 4th Grade Slump?
What Is Automaticity?
The picture for this episode thumbnail courtesy of: https://www.k5learning.com/cursive-writing-worksheets
Join the STEMPunX team for as little as a dollar a month. Gain access to bonus material and STEMPunX perks on our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/STEMPunx
Music:
All music from this episode written and performed by Danny Burns.
Check out his list of albums on Bandcamp.
Sponsors
Coddiwomple Creative- A coddiwomple is a purposeful journey towards a vague destination. Coddiwomple Creative makes art and just about anything they're inspired to create from a place of joy. Check out their newest items at: http://www.coddiwomplecreative.com
AND:
Thank you to all of our Patreon STEMPunX. We are so grateful for you all. Please share this podcast to help us continue our goal of bringing STEM education to everyone.
Send us your feedback at: stempunx@gmail.com
Credits
The STEMPunX Podcast is hosted and produced by Joe Garoutte.
CoProducers: E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
Editing by Joe and Michael.
See all the STEMunX fun at STEMPunX.com
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Host Joe Garoutte visits with The STEMPunX Mad Scientist Bill Weiler about the not so mad topic of trees. Understanding the circle of life in old growth forests, and even how a forest fire can be beneficial, is just part of what the two discuss. We even get to hear Bill sing!
Links to explore:
The Overstory by Richard Powers at Powell's Books : https://www.powells.com/book/-9780393356687
Bill Weiler's Blog: William Weiler Stewardship ~ Large Living Trees
Fishers return to the North Cascades
Old growth forests sequester CO2 at a much higher level than previously thought.
What Is Biodiversity Loss and Why Is It a Problem?
What is an Ent?
The picture for this episode thumbnail courtesy of: https://freebigpictures.com
Join the STEMPunX team for as little as a dollar a month. Gain access to bonus material and STEMPunX perks on our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/STEMPunx
Music:
All music from this episode written and performed by Danny Burns.
Check out his list of albums on Bandcamp.
Sponsors
Coddiwomple Creative- A coddiwomple is a purposeful journey towards a vague destination. Coddiwomple Creative makes art and just about anything they're inspired to create from a place of joy. Check out their newest items at: http://www.coddiwomplecreative.com
AND:
Thank you to all of our Patreon STEMPunX. We are so grateful for you all. Please share this podcast to help us continue our goal of bringing STEM education to everyone.
Send us your feedback at: stempunx@gmail.com
Credits
The STEMPunX Podcast is hosted and produced by Joe Garoutte.
CoProducers: E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
Editing by Joe and Michael.
Special thanks to our Mad Scientist, Bill Weiler.
See all the STEMunX fun at STEMPunX.com
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
Wowzers! Join host Joe Garoutte in learning about SketchUp, the Google 3D software used by designer Douglas Hawksworth to build a set for "Noises Off". Joe and Douglas visit on the set for the upcoming show produced by Big Britches Productions. See how dreams turn to reality through 3D design and then some precise cutting on the saws.
The video version of this episode, which includes a LOT of visual information, is available HERE.
Links to explore:
Design your own anything with Google SketchUp here.
Go see the set in action. Get tickets for "Noises Off" at the Big Britches Productions Website.
Join the STEMPunX team for as little as a dollar a month. Gain access to bonus material and STEMPunX perks on our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/STEMPunx
Music:
All music from this episode written and performed by Danny Burns.
Check out his list of albums on Bandcamp.
Sponsors
Coddiwomple Creative- A coddiwomple is a purposeful journey towards a vague destination. Coddiwomple Creative makes art and just about anything they're inspired to create from a place of joy. Check out their newest items at: http://www.coddiwomplecreative.com
AND:
Thank you to all of our Patreon STEMPunX. We are so grateful for you all. Please share this podcast to help us continue our goal of bringing STEM education to everyone.
Send us your feedback at: stempunx@gmail.com
Credits
The STEMPunX Podcast is hosted and produced by Joe Garoutte.
CoProducers: E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
Editing by Joe and Michael.
Special thanks to guest Douglas Hawksworth.
See all the STEMunX fun at STEMPunX.com
Saturday Aug 10, 2019
Saturday Aug 10, 2019
In this episode our Denver correspondent Thom Harrop, a professor at Red Rocks Community College near Denver, Colorado, sat down with students Bruno, Tyler, and Dallas, three creative STEM students, at the Red Rocks Community College IDEA Lab. They talk about space projects, cool theatre tech, STEM competitions, camaraderie, and how all of that thrives at a community college. Listen in and hear how your ideas could flourish too! There's room for everyone in STEM!
Links to explore:
Red Rocks Community College IDEA Institute
What's the difference between Arduino and Raspberry Pi? Find out here.
What is a Sounding Rocket?
Community College of Aurora
Arapahoe Community College Engineering program
Join the STEMPunX team for as little as a dollar a month. Gain access to bonus material and STEMPunX perks on our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/STEMPunx
Music:
All music from this episode written and performed by Danny Burns.
Check out his list of albums on Bandcamp.
Sponsors
Coddiwomple Creative- A coddiwomple is a purposeful journey towards a vague destination. Coddiwomple Creative makes art and just about anything they're inspired to create from a place of joy. Check out their newest items at: http://www.coddiwomplecreative.com
AND:
Thank you to all of our Patreon STEMPunX. We are so grateful for you all. Please share this podcast to help us continue our goal of bringing STEM education to everyone.
Send us your feedback at: stempunx@gmail.com
Credits
The STEMPunX Podcast is hosted and produced by Joe Garoutte.
CoProducers: E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
Editing by Joe and Michael.
Correspondent for this episode: Thom Harrop
See all the STEMunX fun at STEMPunX.com
Saturday Jul 20, 2019
Saturday Jul 20, 2019
Delve into the deep mystery that Joe encountered one dark and stormy evening.... Okay, not quite that dramatic, but he did encounter something alive and glowing. Listen in as he and STEMBoT discuss Bioluminescence, and some intriguing STEM applications for it. There's also some new bionics research that crawls its way into this episode as well.
Links to explore:
How bioluminescence works.
Whit is Luciferin?
What is biohybrid?
Bright ideas for bioluminescent tech.
Fun bioluminescent reading.
MIT Researcher Dr. Ritu Raman
Join the STEMPunX team for as little as a dollar a month. Gain access to bonus material and STEMPunX perks on our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/STEMPunx
Music:
All music from this episode written by Danny Burns, from his commissioned soundtracks for the two plays "MacBeth", and "Art".
Check out his list of albums on Bandcamp.
Sponsors
Coddiwomple Creative- A coddiwomple is a purposeful journey towards a vague destination. Coddiwomple Creative makes art and just about anything they're inspired to create from a place of joy. Check out their newest items at: http://www.coddiwomplecreative.com
AND:
Thank you to all of our Patreon STEMPunX. We are so grateful for you all. Please share this podcast to help us continue our goal of bringing STEM education to everyone.
Send us your feedback at: stempunx@gmail.com
Credits
The STEMPunX Podcast is hosted and produced by Joe Garoutte.
CoProducers: E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
Editing by Joe and Michael.
See all the STEMunX fun at STEMPunX.com
Wednesday Jul 10, 2019
Wednesday Jul 10, 2019
This week's episode is a fan request! Teresa B. discovered through an online post that something she thought was beneficial wasn't. She wanted more. We responded!
Dive in with Joe and STEMBoT to see if you actually know the things you think you know. Are you really warmer sleeping naked? Should you really buy a cotton bag to avoid plastic while shopping? Should you put something on your pasta to keep it from sticking? Is having breakfast every day a good thing? While bouncing from topic to topic you'll find out a few things and have a good time in the process. Enjoy!
Links to explore:
Why kids shouldn't skip breakfast.
The benefits of skipping breakfast.
You lose 70% of your body heat from your head. Or do you....?
You should still wear a hat if you're cold.
Sleep NAKED! Wait... Should you?
No really, I'm warmer in the nude!
It's healthier to sleep naked. For many... reasons...
There're bugs in my what??!?
Coffee with extra protein.
Why you're allergic to pre-ground coffee.
Teach me about plastic bag replacements. I want to know.
The environmental impact of your cotton clothes...
BONUS: 51 fun facts. For fun! (Spoiler alert: some are covered above.)
Join the STEMPunX team for as little as a dollar a month. Gain access to bonus material and STEMPunX perks on our Patreon page:
https://www.patreon.com/STEMPunx
Music:
All music from this episode is from the Free Music Archive
Artist: Scott Holmes Track name: Hotshot
Artist: Blue dot sessions Track Names: Gambrel, Kirkus Interlude, Lunette Interlude, Palladian
Sponsors
Coddiwomple Creative- A coddiwomple is a purposeful journey towards a vague destination. Coddiwomple Creative makes art and just about anything they're inspired to create from a place of joy. Check out their newest items at: http://www.coddiwomplecreative.com
AND:
Thank you to all of our Patreon STEMPunX. We are so grateful for you all. Please share this podcast to help us continue our goal of bringing STEM education to everyone.
Send us your feedback at: stempunx@gmail.com
Credits
The STEMPunX Podcast is hosted and produced by Joe Garoutte.
CoProducers: E. Michael Friend and John Hardham
Editing by Joe and Michael.
See all the STEMunX fun at STEMPunX.com