Jo’s Big Idea:
Blend critical thinking, storytelling, and problem-solving into one creative STEM experience. Students design and build mini “Escape Room” challenges for their classmates, using science and engineering concepts to create skill-based logic puzzles that unlock a final code. Along the way, students craft original stories to frame each challenge and use technology to animate their plots, transforming their ideas into interactive experiences. Through designing clues, building levels, and testing solutions, students strengthen analytical thinking and creative communication skills.
Interesting Facts:
Jo’s first introduction to a career in education was through Teach for America, where she served two years as a corp member in the Rio Grande Valley, on the border of Texas and Mexico. While there, she discovered her love of both teaching and tamales! Jo has taught for almost 30 years in a wide range of both public and independent schools. Close to 10 of those years were in an elementary school classroom, where she planned for and taught all subjects, the other two decades, she taught middle school science, math, art and STEM/STEAM.