In this conversation, Dave and Ellen Peterson explore what it really takes to engage K–12 science students through hands-on, authentic learning. Ellen shares how mentorship from Steve Spangler helped shape her teaching style, why classroom engagement matters more than perfect content delivery, and how memorable demos can turn even reluctant learners into curious participants.
The discussion also dives into project-based learning, the power of collecting real data, and how tools like sensors can make science more relevant, local, and exciting for students. From Iceland fieldwork to classroom demos, makerspaces, and middle school lab groups, this episode is a practical and inspiring look at creating science experiences students will actually remember.
Area 59 website: www.area-59.com
Area 59 Facebook: www.facebook.com/wyomakers
Every Day STEM Facebook: This is a private group. To join you have to answer questions. https://www.facebook.com/
Gillette College: www.gillettecollege.org
Email: stemtsar@gmail.com
ABOUT ELLEN
Ellen Peterson is the Director of Area 59, the makerspace at Gillette College in Gillette, Wyoming. She develops hands-on STEM, maker, and career-connected learning experiences for students, educators, families, veterans, and community members.
Her work focuses on making emerging technology approachable and meaningful through robotics, sensors, digital fabrication, coding, engineering, and real-world problem solving. Ellen regularly partners with schools and community organizations to design programs that build curiosity, confidence, and practical skills.
She is especially interested in helping learners move beyond simply using technology to collecting evidence, asking better questions, and understanding the world through authentic data. Through Area 59, she creates opportunities for learners of all ages to experiment, build, investigate, and discover what they are capable of doing.
Organization
Programs and projects
- Area 59 makerspace programming
- Homeschool STEM and robotics courses
- PocketLab-supported science investigations
- Career and technical education outreach
- Teacher professional development
- Community maker programs for youth and adults