Meet the Team
We are three friends who have always had a passion for teaching science and engaging young learners. Over the years we bonded creating lessons for young children, designing professional learning for teachers and debating the best way to teach various scientific concepts. We finally decided that it was time to spread our wings and try sharing our ideas with a larger audience. We hope that we can help you grow in your pedagogy and create classroom where children are engaged in hands-on learning.
Michelle Brown
Michelle Brown is a professional educator, presenter, and former elementary science coach who has devoted 38 years to instruction and curriculum development. Michelle graduated from Texas Tech and has a Master's degree from Texas Wesleyan College. She is a National Certified STEM Teacher and was awarded STAT's Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2009. Michelle has spent the past four years developing a STEAM focused school for her school district, as well as, designing engineering challenges for the TEKS in science. She is also an expert in fifth grade science curriculum and intervention strategies.
Anne Mangas Smith
Anne Mangas Smith holds a BS in Elementary Education, a MA in Education, and a Principalship Certification. She has received awards from the National Science Teacher Association, Science Teachers Association of Texas, Texas Science Educational Leadership Association, and the Space Center Rotary Club of Texas. Anne became nationally certified by NBPTS in 2004 after teaching a variety of grade levels for over 20 years. She then moved on to being the Elementary K-5 Science Coordinator in Clear Creek Independent School District in League City, Texas for 15 years.
Laura Mackay
Laura Mackay has held several positions including elementary teacher, GT Specialist, GT Coordinator, STEM Liaison and Adjunct professor of Science Education. She received her BA in Child Studies from Southwestern University, an MS degree in Educational Leadership and a PhD from Texas A&M University in Educational Psychology. She has presented at numerous conferences including NSTA, CAST, TAGT and various STEM expos. For the past 7 years she has been involved in helping create two new STEM elementary magnet schools and designing engineering curriculum for elementary students.
