Episode #10 The Leadership Playbook- A Guide to Leading Impactful, and Lasting STEM

Hey there, welcome back! Today, we’re diving into something that so many school leaders, instructional coaches, and STEM enthusiasts ask me about all the time—how do you actually lead STEM at a school-wide level? Maybe you’re already in charge of STEM initiatives, or maybe you’ve just been voluntold to take on this role and you’re thinking, Where do I even start? Either way, I’ve got you.

So let’s set the scene. Imagine it’s your first day leading a STEM initiative at your school. You’re excited, maybe a little nervous, and then… a teacher walks up to you and asks, “So what’s your vision for STEM?” Or a parent stops you in the hallway and says, “How are you making sure STEM is for all students, not just the ones who already love science?” Or maybe, you’re in a staff meeting and you hear the dreaded phrase: “STEM is great, but we don’t have time for that with everything else we have to cover.”

These moments can feel overwhelming, but this is exactly why you need a plan—a playbook. And that’s what this episode is all about. I’m introducing The STEM Leadership Playbook, a guide to leading STEM in a way that’s sustainable, impactful, and—most importantly—doable. And listen, you do NOT have to be a science expert to lead STEM well. You just need the right mindset, some key strategies, and a community that believes in the power of STEM.

Today, we’re going to talk about what great STEM leadership looks like—even if you don’t feel like a science person. We’ll cover the biggest STEM leadership mistakes and how to avoid them. And I’ll walk you through the core sections of this playbook, which we’ll be breaking down in more depth in future bonus episodes.

If you’ve ever wondered how to lead STEM with confidence, how to get teacher buy-in, or how to make STEM work on any budget, this episode is for you.

Alright, let’s jump in!

So, let’s get one thing straight—you do NOT need to be a scientist, engineer, or tech wizard to be an amazing STEM leader. What you do need? A vision, a growth mindset, and the ability to empower your teachers and students to embrace inquiry and problem-solving.

Think about it like coaching a sport. You don’t have to be a world-class athlete to be a great coach—you just need to create the right conditions for your team to succeed. The same applies to STEM leadership. It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about asking great questions, fostering curiosity, and giving people the space to explore.

I’ve seen this in action so many times. Last year, I watched teachers at my school take professional development they received in the morning and implement it with their students that very same afternoon. Why? Because they felt safe to experiment, safe to try something new, and safe to take risks in their teaching. When we create that culture of exploration for teachers, it trickles down to students.

If you’re thinking, Okay, but how do I actually do that? here’s where to start: Shift from being the expert to being the facilitator. Instead of feeling like you have to know everything about STEM, start using the phrase “I don’t know, but let’s find out together.” That simple mindset shift models curiosity, inquiry, and a love for learning—everything we want in our students.

And remember, STEM isn’t just about robotics and coding. It’s problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Every subject—yes, even ELA and history—has opportunities for STEM integration. And you don’t have to figure it out alone! Connect with other leaders, find STEM teacher champions in your district, and leverage free STEM resources. Trust me, they’re out there.

Now, let’s talk about vision. Because if you don’t define what STEM looks like at your school, someone else will. And without a clear vision, STEM often gets reduced to a few cool projects or a single after-school club. And that’s not what we want. We want STEM embedded into the fabric of learning.

So take a second and think—what do you want STEM to look like at your school? Are you focusing on project-based learning? Engineering challenges? Hands-on science? Coding? All of the above? One of the biggest shifts I encourage leaders to make is moving toward full STEM integration across all subject areas. The more STEM is woven into daily learning, the higher the engagement, the deeper the thinking, and the more empowered your students become.

STEM isn’t just a thing—it’s a core value. And when it’s seen that way, it becomes part of school culture, curriculum, and professional development. But for that to happen, you need buy-in. And buy-in happens when teachers see how STEM connects to their content, their students, and their own professional growth.

Here’s something I want you to try—write down one sentence that describes what STEM looks like in your ideal school. What would teachers be doing? What would students be doing? What would the energy in the building feel like? Then, send it to me! DM me on Instagram at @TheLearningProjectJenn or email me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear what your vision looks like.

Now, let’s talk about the biggest myth about STEM leadership: You need a huge budget. Nope. Not true. STEM is about creativity, not expensive gadgets.

Some of the most engaging STEM lessons I’ve seen use nothing but cardboard, tape, and markers. Recyclables? LEGOs? Straws? Instant STEM gold. And if you do need materials, there are so many funding opportunities out there. Grants, DonorsChoose, local business partnerships—trust me, you can find the resources if you know where to look.

One of the easiest things you can do right now is start a STEM supply drive. Ask parents and staff to donate cardboard, paper towel rolls, straws, LEGOs, pipe cleaners—whatever they have. You’d be surprised how quickly you can build an entire STEM materials library for free.

And finally, let’s talk about making STEM work in your school schedule and supporting your teachers through professional development. Because great STEM instruction doesn’t happen by accident.

The key? Don’t add STEM as “one more thing.” Instead, integrate it into existing subjects. Find where it naturally fits—because it does. Use collaborative planning time to align STEM with grade-level content. Use STEM competencies to expand STEM thinking across all subjects.

"I’ve created a special resource for K-5 teachers to help you kickstart your STEM journey! It takes the ELA and Math standards for each grade level and integrates them into STEM-focused learning objectives, making it easy to bring STEM into your classroom. Check it out at learning-project.com/objectives or find the link in the show notes!"

And when it comes to professional development? The best PD is hands-on, teacher-led, and ongoing. Give your teachers time to experiment, fail, and try again—just like students. I love using a train-the-trainer model to build teacher leadership from within.

So here’s what I want you to do next—ask your teachers what STEM PD would be most helpful for them. Let them be part of the planning process. Because when teachers feel like they have ownership, engagement skyrockets.

We covered a lot today, so here’s your STEM Leadership Playbook Starter Plan:

1️⃣ Pick one small action to take this week.
2️⃣ Write down your STEM vision statement.
3️⃣ Start a conversation with your team about what STEM could look like at your school.

And if you want to go even deeper, I’ve created a FREE STEM Leadership Playbook Starter Guide with guiding questions, leadership strategies, and an action plan to help you build a STEM vision that actually works. You can grab it here.

This is just the beginning! I’ll be releasing bonus episodes diving into each section of the playbook, so make sure you’re subscribed. And before you go, DM me on Instagram at @TheLearningProjectJenn and tell me—what’s your biggest STEM leadership challenge right now?

Thanks for hanging out with me today—keep leading, keep growing, and let’s build a STEM culture that lasts! 🚀✨