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How to make learning impossibly fun | Mark Rober

Aug 22, 2026 · 43m

Summary

Former NASA engineer Mark Rober discusses his philosophy of engaging students by connecting emotionally before teaching facts, a method he calls "hiding the vegetables." He reveals Class Crunch Labs, a free STEM curriculum designed to make science exciting through hands-on activities and viral-style content. Rober also explores how AI will shift the importance of curiosity and questioning, while sharing insights on engineering, creativity, and his upcoming space endeavors.

Topics discussed

Introduction: Mark Rober's mission to make science fun Sponsors: Creighton University, Land Rover, and Dell Interview begins: The philosophy of 'hiding the vegetables' The problem with outdated science education materials The challenge and strategy of curriculum adoption Mark Rober's journey from NASA engineer to YouTuber Connecting with students through emotion before facts Engaging modern attention spans and anchoring phenomena Hands-on learning and open-source curriculum sharing Sponsor: LinkedIn Talent Solutions Global reach and the role of AI in future education Q&A: Future projects and engineering mindset for kids The iterative process of invention and legacy Outro and sponsors: Kohler, Aerie, and Choiceology
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