Former NASA engineer and YouTube phenomenon Mark Rober shares how educators can use curiosity-driven, hands-on approaches to deepen student engagement in science.
SILICON VALLEY, Calif., April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- CrunchLabs.org Foundation today announced that Founder Mark Rober, also founder and CEO of CrunchLabs, will deliver the keynote address at the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) annual conference in Anaheim on April 16, 2026. Rober's session, Hiding the Vegetables: Turning Spectacle into Science, will give educators a practical framework for using curiosity, entertainment, and hands-on experimentation to drive deeper engagement in science learning.
"I've always believed the best way to learn something is to not realize you're learning it at all," said Rober. "If you can get someone genuinely curious, you've already won. My goal is to show how a little bit of spectacle can flip that switch and get students leaning in instead of tuning out."
With a career spanning NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and building one of the world's most-watched science platforms with over 70 million YouTube subscribers and billions of views, Rober has spent years proving that the best science education doesn't feel like education at all. At this year's NSTA event, he will show how that same philosophy can come to life in the classroom—and give a first look at a new initiative designed to inspire the next generation of problem solvers.
"Great teaching often starts with a moment of wonder," said Beverly DeVore-Wedding, Ph.D., president of NSTA. "Mark has a unique ability to create those moments and turn them into meaningful learning experiences that stay with students long after the lesson ends. We're thrilled to have him join us in Anaheim to share his ideas and inspire educators with new ways to spark curiosity in the classroom."
Beyond the keynote, the CrunchLabs.org Foundation will bring its mission to life on the conference floor at booth #1421, showcasing Class CrunchLabs, a free middle school science curriculum developed in partnership with the NSTA and designed for the Next Generation Science Standards. Attendees will jump into hands-on, interactive experiences inspired by the curriculum. The experiences pair everyday phenomena with amazing video storytelling to spark curiosity and show how classroom-ready materials come to life through active participation.
Rober's keynote will take place from 9:30–10:30 AM (PDT) on Thursday, April 16. CrunchLabs and the NSTA will also co-host a street party, featuring a live science show with Rober and Science Bob, along with kid-friendly activities and food trucks, from 5:00 PM–7:00 PM on the same day.
NSTA's annual national conferences bring together thousands of educators from across the country to explore innovative, new approaches to science and STEM teaching and learning. Rober's keynote, along with CrunchLabs' on-site activations, reflects a growing shift toward hands-on, curiosity-driven experiences that resonate with today's learners and make science more accessible and engaging in the classroom.
To learn more and register for the NSTA National Conference in Anaheim, visit https://www.nsta.org/national-conference-science-education-anaheim-2026.
About the CrunchLabs.org Foundation
The CrunchLabs.org Foundation is a nonprofit organization incorporated for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. The Foundation develops and shares free, comprehensive, and standards-aligned curriculum resources that ignite student curiosity and support teacher professional growth. Through its mission-driven initiatives, CrunchLabs.org empowers educators, students, and families, especially in underserved communities, to confidently explore science, technology, engineering, and math in the classroom and beyond. To learn more about Class CrunchLabs and how you can support our mission, please visit crunchlabs.org.
About CrunchLabs
CrunchLabs is a science and engineering company founded by Mark Rober to inspire kids and learners of all ages to Think Like An Engineer™. Through monthly STEM toys, viral YouTube videos, curriculum content, and now an expanding lineup of media projects, CrunchLabs is creating the most exciting and impactful STEM brand in the world. For more information, please visit https://www.crunchlabs.com/.
Media Contact
Nicole Daley, CrunchLabs.org Foundation, 1 4154088664, [email protected], https://www.crunchlabs.org
SOURCE CrunchLabs.org Foundation
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