Michael's Updates

Welcome to my Educational Adventures!
Bienvenue dans mes aventures éducatives!

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Here you will find information about some of the work and research I have or am currently involved in. My current research revolves around formal/informal science education, participant-based mobile learning and curriculum theory. More specifically,  I am interested in the theory and practice of a critically empowering science and environmental education for students and future teachers. In addition to my professional CV, you can learn about the various research and service projects I am currently working on. I also maintain a blog on science education and the world. Here you can also find links to other individuals and organizations that share my research interests. Education is an adventure! Let's see what we can do together. You can reach me at: [email protected]. 
This educational site and my work gratefully acknowledges the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation where I live and work today. ​
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STEM Education
to the next power!
Interested in getting involved?
(STEM)2 is looking for, volunteers educators, and STEM experts who are interested in helping develop the podcast series. 

For more information, contact (STEM)2 via email at: [email protected] ​

Summer Podcast Series - Island STEAM
​Living and Learning the "Island Life" 

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Islands by Sacha Gregoire
Series 9 Episode 1: Island STEAM - Why Teachers & Students Should Explore Island Life in Schools —  In the first episode of our Island STEAM series we explore STEAM education within the context of the world’s diverse islands and communities. There more than 600,000 diverse islands around the world with at least 11,000 of them inhabited by people. More specifically, we explore how large scientific studied phenomenon such as climate change impact Arctic, desert and tropical islands around the Earth. More specifically we look at how teachers can use islands in STEAM as diverse models for scientific research and change as it relates to how diverse communities adapt to significant environmental challenges in the 21st century. In the news we discuss how Pacific Islander secondary students are advocating for increased scientific literacy in schools and communities and the UN’s recent report on how rising sea levels threaten many low lying islands and communities. (Coming Soon) 

News Link: Saving cultural and heritage sites on islands 

News Link: Pacific Island Students advocating for climate literacy

News Link: How rapid climate change in Greenland will affect us all. 
Series 9 Episode 2: Island STEAM - How Arctic, Desert and Tropical Islands are Utilizing Science and Technology in Schools and Society —  In the second episode of our Island STEAM series we explore how science and technology are utilized in helping islands adapt to the technological and environmental challenges posed by climate change explored in our first episode. More specifically we look at how Greenland is using long range drones to document receding ice pack and how small Pacific Island nations and the Canary Islands are integrating renewable energy systems to build more resilient energy and water purification systems. Each of these examples illuminates just one of thousands of ways diverse island communities are adapting in the 21st century that can also be utilized in teaching and learning activities. 

News Link: Windracer Drones in Greenland Climate Research

News Link: Pacific Island Nations Invest in Renewable Energy

News Link: Using Tidal Energy to Desalinate Water in the Canaries
Series 9 Episode 3: Island STEAM - Engineering and Ecology that Includes Lessons and Activities for Future Generations —  Episode available in early June. 
Series 9 Episode 4: Island STEAM - Protecting the Past and Fostering the Future in Indigenous Art and Culture —  Episode available in mid June.


Series 9 Episode 5 : Island STEAM - Multicultural Education and Language Connections  —  Episode available in late June. 
​Most Recent Episodes from Series 8 on Educational Research in STEAM Education and Bonus Earth Day Editions
Series 8 Bonus Episode 6: Vygotsky, Piaget, Driver and New Research in Children’s Cognitive Development in the Age of AI  -  In this bonus episode of the 8th series, the host explores the need to revisit Piaget’s Stage Theories, Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development and Driver’s seminal work on understanding children’s conceptions and misconceptions in science. Revisiting this work is particularly important in AI as a flawed educational technology that hallucinates may impact children’s understanding of science and nature in a wide variety of unknown ways. The episode ends with a call for new educational research that explores children’s cognitive development in science in the Age of AI in order to better understand both the benefits and possible impacts AI and other generative technologies may have on children’s ideas and conceptions of nature and STEAM. 
Series 8 Bonus Episode 7: EarthDay News in STEAM Education  -  In this bonus episode of the 8th series, Michael explores changing seasons and STEAM news related to April’s Earth Day. In world with major events, it is particularly important for primary and secondary teachers to find ways to get learners outside into nature and/or develop lessons showcasing how different societies and local communities are addressing many of the most significant challenges as it relates to climate change and healthy environments both now and into the future. In the news we look at conservation rates in the world’s oceans and partnerships between small island nations and governments and universities on Canada’s West Coast.

News Link - Conserving the World's Oceans  
News Link - Small Island Nations & UN Fellowship
News Link - War & Renewable Energy Resilience
News Link - Ocean Energy for Indigenous Communities 
Series 8 Bonus Episode 8: Integrating Multicultural & Environmental Questioning into Earth Day STEAM Lessons/Activities  -  In this bonus episode of the 8th series, we explore the importance of integrating critical questioning strategies into STEAM lessons and activities. More specifically, for Earthday lessons, we look at ways to tie inquiry based learning around the value of community-based and multiculturally inclusive approaches to Earthday lessons for teachers and students. Connecting your lessons to diverse communities, cultures, and ecologies is an increasingly essential skill in today's AI and increasingly robotic world. In the news we look at the environmental impact of AI and seaside robots studying salt water intrusion and climate change as secondary case studies for school discussions. 

News Link: The True Price of Every ChatGPT Prompt 
News Link: Can California Robot Help Resist Sea Level Rise?
We are currently developing SERIES 9 of the (STEM)2 podcast. Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas to: [email protected] 

Click here to listen to the first eight series of the (STEM)2 podcast.

New ABC Early Reader Series
​Coming in the Fall of 2026
Teachers, Families and Kids! Get ready for a new ABC Early Reader STEAM series about children at an international space school who are exploring the amazing diversity of wildlife found on Earth. This series is designed for families and teachers to read with K and Grade 1 students with high Grade 1 and 2 students (and beyond) being able to read the wildlife series independently. Each book comes with three STEAM school or home activities adults can do with young children. This series is currently in production and tune in here for more information on this educational wildlife series. 


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New Curriculum Coming in 2027!