A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity | Pathways to STEM | S6E5
Sat Jan 03 2026
For neurodivergent students, STEM learning can feel like a Dickens novel — “the best of times, the worst of times.” One page brims with curiosity, creativity, and a hunger to understand how things work. The next reveals classrooms not built for how they learn, leaving them confused, discouraged, or left behind.
That disconnect doesn’t just affect the classroom; it can block the road ahead. STEM jobs are growing twice as fast as other fields and already pay, on average, more than double non-STEM roles. But when learning environments don’t fit, neurodivergent students risk being locked out before they even get started.
Here’s the good news: when families, educators, and communities reimagine STEM — from kindergarten coding to college robotics — students who learn differently can thrive.
They can build, explore, and lead in ways that honor their strengths and ignite their passions.
On this episode, we meet a Colorado college student with autism who’s engineering a future that fits — powered by his talent, his tenacity, and a mechanical engineering degree. Then, a panel of national experts shares practical strategies for nurturing STEM confidence at every age — from tackling math anxiety to igniting coding curiosity. And later, we introduce our newest Difference Maker: a teen trailblazer whose love of science is inspiring a movement and helping kids see themselves in STEM.
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For neurodivergent students, STEM learning can feel like a Dickens novel — “the best of times, the worst of times.” One page brims with curiosity, creativity, and a hunger to understand how things work. The next reveals classrooms not built for how they learn, leaving them confused, discouraged, or left behind. That disconnect doesn’t just affect the classroom; it can block the road ahead. STEM jobs are growing twice as fast as other fields and already pay, on average, more than double non-STEM roles. But when learning environments don’t fit, neurodivergent students risk being locked out before they even get started. Here’s the good news: when families, educators, and communities reimagine STEM — from kindergarten coding to college robotics — students who learn differently can thrive. They can build, explore, and lead in ways that honor their strengths and ignite their passions. On this episode, we meet a Colorado college student with autism who’s engineering a future that fits — powered by his talent, his tenacity, and a mechanical engineering degree. Then, a panel of national experts shares practical strategies for nurturing STEM confidence at every age — from tackling math anxiety to igniting coding curiosity. And later, we introduce our newest Difference Maker: a teen trailblazer whose love of science is inspiring a movement and helping kids see themselves in STEM.