Exploring Stem

Meteorology is an ever-changing and fascinating field that affects so many areas of life. In this episode, hear from APU professor Dr. Lorenza Cooper about his passion for studying weather events and why he believes students of all disciplines should have a better understanding of atmospheric science. Also learn about his strategy for discussing climate change, career opportunities for those interested in meteorology including interdisciplinary work with the Space Force, and the university’s expanding course offerings so students can gain a more in-depth understanding of atmospheric science.

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The principles of STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math—drive innovation and advancements in the modern world. But one critical component that is often overlooked is the arts. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU business professor Dr. Kandis Boyd Wyatt about the benefits of adding arts into the mix and promoting principles of STEAM both in education and in industry. Learn how focusing on STEAM can open up a new world to students to help them become vital and impactful contributors for the sustainability of the future. 

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Pursuing a career in science can be an exciting journey fueled by passion and discovery. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU STEM Program Director Dr. Shelli Carter about her fascinating science career that ranged from conducting groundbreaking research that helped identify neurotransmitters linked to epilepsy to innovative forensic work for the federal government. Learn why it’s so important for everyone to pursue scientific literacy and dispel myths that prevent people from pursuing a career in science or STEM.

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Cybersecurity is an extremely broad field that is integrated into so many aspects of an organization. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU Cybersecurity Program Director Dr. Kevin Harris about what individuals should know about career opportunities in cyber and IT professions. Learn why IT and cyber professionals must have the skills to collaborate with all levels of management and why it’s so important to increase diversity in tech fields in order to fill many of the open IT and cyber positions.

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Big data is collected and processed to provide insight about nearly every facet of modern life. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks with Dr. Zona Kostic, a computer scientist who specializes in data visualization and machine learning, about the benefits of artificial intelligence. Learn how AI is being used during the COVID-19 pandemic and how new systems like Explainable AI (XAI) are being used to help data scientists understand how AI systems “think” and come up with decisions.

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How has environmentalism changed in recent years? In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to APU Associate Dean of STEM programs Dr. Danny Welsch about the effects of politics on environmental issues and changes to environmental activism. Learn about the current debates surrounding climate change, growth in the usage of alternative energy sources like wind and solar, and what individuals can do to help the environment by reducing consumption, buying food locally, and more.

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The principles of STEM are integrated into so many of today’s jobs in often surprising and exciting ways. In this episode, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to American Public University STEM professors Drs. Danny Welsch and Shelli Carter about their own career paths and their work as educators to find creative and unique ways to teach STEM in the online classroom. Learn about some of the hesitations students often have about pursuing a degree in STEM, and how success in STEM isn’t about “smarts” as much as putting in hard work to develop an innovative and problem-solving mindset that can then be applied to nearly any career field.

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Innovation drives the modern world. In the first episode of Exploring STEM, Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks with Dr. Ahmed Naumaan, Dean of the School of STEM at American Public University, about the challenges of teaching students how to be innovative thinkers. Learn about new developments in the STEM curriculum designed to allow students to explore different aspects of STEM to help them find their passion while also learning about potential career opportunities.

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