More Than a Show.
A Research-Informed STEM Learning Experience.
STEMulating Adventures uses storytelling, music, hands-on exploration, literacy, real-world experiences, and culturally relevant STEM role models to help young people explore STEM—and begin seeing themselves as part of it.
From Adventure to Understanding 🔬
The animated episode is the starting point. Our research examines what can happen when storytelling becomes an entry point into a larger informal STEM learning experience.
Big Questions About STEM Learning
STEM Identity
How do young people see themselves in relation to STEM?
STEM Self-Efficacy
How confident do learners feel about understanding and engaging with STEM?
STEM Relevance
How do stories, careers, people, and real-world experiences help learners recognize STEM around them?
STEM Engagement
How do different parts of the adventure encourage curiosity and continued exploration?
The Episode Is Only the Beginning
One Story. Multiple Pathways Into STEM.
Six Ways to Extend the Learning
Story
Introduces STEM ideas through narrative and characters.
Music
Reinforces ideas through rhythm, repetition, and STEMBop.
Real-World Exploration
Shows where STEM happens beyond the screen.
Hands-On Learning
Moves learners from watching to building and doing.
Literacy
Extends learning through books and STEMulating Stories.
Conversation
Creates opportunities for discussion and reflection.
Our Primary Research Population
Young Learners Are at the Center
Our primary research population is children ages 6–8. We are particularly interested in how learners in this age range engage with STEM through animation, music, hands-on exploration, books, and real-world experiences.
We also value feedback from students of other ages, parents, guardians, educators, facilitators, and community members.
How We Measure & Learn 📊
Pre/Post Measures
Examining STEM-related attitudes, confidence, identity, interest, or efficacy.
Participant Feedback
Listening to what learners and families enjoyed, learned, remembered, and want to explore next.
Engagement
Examining participation across episodes and the larger learning experience.
Qualitative Learning
Using responses, observations, conversations, and reflections to understand the experience.
Help Us Understand the Adventure
If you have a child in our primary research age range of 6–8 and are interested in participating in a STEMulating Adventures research study, contact our research team for information about eligibility and participation.
Students who participate in the research study receive a $25 gift card.
🛡️ IRB-Approved Research
Research involving STEMulating Adventures has received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. The research is conducted according to approved protocols designed to protect research participants, including appropriate protections for children participating in research.
Share Feedback About an Episode
Your Experience Matters.
You do not have to be part of the formal research study—or between ages 6–8—to share feedback. We welcome comments from students of any age, parents, guardians, educators, facilitators, and community members who have experienced STEMulating Adventures.
Please include RESEARCH in the subject line.
✉️ SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK →Meet the Researchers 🔬
Dr. Whitney Gaskins
RESEARCHER
Dr. Nancy Jennings
RESEARCHER
Research, Publications & Presentations
Research in Progress
As the STEMulating Adventures research develops, this space can share research briefs, presentations, publications, and other findings from the work.
The Adventure Is Fun.
Understanding Its Impact Matters.
We create STEMulating Adventures to spark curiosity. We conduct research to understand what happens next.