For "S.T.E.A.M. Clown" Jim Burnham, teaching science, technology, engineering, art and math begins with both fun and exploration.

And throughout each semester, Jim and his students create "cool stuff" in the areas of robotics, 3D printing and physics.

Jim, a Mechatronics instructor at Silicon Valley CTE High School, considers art an essential component in his curriculum.

"Engineering without art is just calculating," he explains. "You need to really bring that creative beauty into stuff."

That emphasis on creativity garnered Jim a "Teacher of the Year" award from Santa Clara County Office of Education, within three years of the beginning of his teaching career.

And Jim continues to take a "mad scientist" approach to engineering in his classroom, where initiative and new ideas are encouraged, based on students' individual interests.

"I tell (my students) 'come up with something interesting. What do you want to do?'" he says.

Jim talked about his creative journey as "The S.T.E.A.M. Clown", shared some favorite resources for teaching and learning and offered a look at what his class will be doing as the new semester begins.