Empowering the next generation of problem-solvers
Hi, I’m Dr. Marsha Tufft—engineer, author, educator, and passionate advocate for building the “choice muscle” in kids.
After 35 years as an aerospace engineer at GE Aviation and earning my Ph.D. in Materials Engineering, I discovered my biggest teaching breakthrough came from an unexpected source: training my golden retriever, Mooney, to surf in the ocean at 18 weeks old.
The behavioral science principles I used—breaking goals into tiny steps, rewarding progress, treating mistakes as information—revealed something powerful: These same techniques are exactly what’s missing in how we teach kids.
My Mission:
Help parents, educators, and kids understand that the most important skill for the future isn’t perfection—it’s the ability to choose, fail safely, and grow.
What I do:
📚 Write award-winning STEM fiction (Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures) – because stories change attitudes
🔬 Create hands-on STEM experiments (Putney Hicks Inventors Club) – because there’s nothing like learning by doing
🎤 Speak about building resilient problem-solvers – through TEDx talks, workshops, and STEM programs
🐾 Train dogs (and teach parents!) – applying behavioral science to build confidence, one choice at a time
The “Choice Muscle” Framework:
✔️ Address motivation first
✔️ Break big goals into manageable steps
✔️ Notice what you like 5x more than what you don’t
✔️ Celebrate small wins
✔️ Treat failure as information, not punishment
When we give kids the freedom to choose, fail safely, and learn, we shape future leaders who can handle complexity, uncertainty, and the challenges of tomorrow.
Speaking & Stage Experience
✅ “Think Like an Engineer: A Problem-Solving Approach to Learning”
- Midwest Homeschool Expo – Indianapolis, Indiana (June 2025)
✅ Keynote Speaker – International Conference on Shot Peening, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany (2002)
✅ International Conference Presenter – Warsaw, Poland (1999); San Francisco, CA (1996)
✅ Published Speaker – SAE Aerospace International Conference, Dayton, OH (1993)
- “Maximizing the Impact of Technical Education” – Selected for publication in Transactions of the SAE*
✅ TEDx Speaker Applicant – Crafting talks on building the “choice muscle” in the next generation
✅ Technical Education Leader – Trained 50+ GE Aviation instructors in evidence-based teaching methods
✅ STEM Workshop Facilitator – Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Year of the Girl summer camps (1,000+ girls reached)
✅ Award-Winning Educator
- 2021 GE Aviation Outstanding Retiree Award
- 2018 GE Volunteers Award
- Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Appreciation Pin
✅ Ph.D., Materials Engineering | M.S., Aerospace Engineering | B.S., Mechanical Engineering
✅ 35 Years Problem-Solving at GE Aviation – Saved $12M through systematic engineering solutions
Stories That Build Problem-Solvers
Because stories change attitudes before skills can be taught.
The Putney Hicks Inventor Adventures is an award-winning middle grade fiction series set on Hilton Head Island, where 11-year-old inventor Putney tackles real-world challenges using science, creativity, and a whole lot of trial and error.
What makes Putney different?
✨ She fails. A lot. And that’s the point. Readers see that mistakes are part of the process, not something to fear.
✨ She solves real problems – buoyancy, flight, energy, conservation – using STEM principles woven naturally into the story.
✨ She thinks like an engineer – breaking big challenges into small experiments, testing hypotheses, and iterating until it works.
✨ She has help from S.A.M. – her advanced AI assistant in the Magic eyePad (think snarky Siri meets engineering mentor).
Perfect for:
- Kids (ages 8–12) who love hands-on projects, animals, or adventure
- Parents and teachers looking for books that inspire STEM thinking
- Reluctant readers who want action, humor, and a hero who isn’t perfect
Each book includes:
- A gripping story with relatable characters
- Real STEM concepts explained through action
- Inspiration to try your own experiments
👉 Explore the Books → https://marshatufft.com/books
Get your FREE copy of Project S.A.M. (Prequel) → https://marshatufft.com/project-sam/
Putney Hicks Inventors Club (Projects & Experiments)
Learn By Doing: STEM Experiments You Can Try at Home
Because there’s nothing like learning by doing !
The Putney Hicks Inventors Club brings the experiments from the books to life with step-by-step guides, videos, and hands-on projects you can do with items you already have at home.
What you’ll find:
Buoyancy experiments – Design and test boats, predict what will float, create a formula
Flight challenges – Build gliders, test wing shapes, explore aerodynamics
Engineering design challenges – Prototype, test, iterate, and learn from “failure”
Perfect for:
- Homeschool families looking for engaging STEM curriculum
- Teachers who want hands-on activities that align with science standards
- Parents who want to spark curiosity and build problem-solving skills
- Kids who love to build, tinker, and figure things out
The Inventors Club Approach:
Hypothesis-driven learning – Kids predict, test, and refine
Safe failure – Every “mistake” is information that speeds learning
Real-world relevance – Projects solve actual problems
Choice and creativity – Multiple paths to success
What you’ll need:
- Common household items (no fancy equipment required)
- Curiosity and willingness to try, fail, and try again
- A growth mindset (we’re building the “choice muscle” here!)
Start Experimenting → https://marshatufft.com/STEM/
Get your FREE Bonus Experiment) → https://marshatufft.com/volcano-bundle/
Marsha Tufft
Discover your inner inventor!
Customer Reviews
Marsha has a passion and great talent for teaching STEM to children! She has been a key volunteer for many years for our company’s STEM themed summer camp. Marsha’s innovative lesson plans and instructional methods engaged 1000+ girls over the years! She serves as a role model to others in how to engage kids in STEM.
— Sharon Crall, Leader, Girls STEM Initiative