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The Engagement Effect
Cultivating Experiences that Ignite Connection, Build Trust, and Inspire Action
Table of Contents
About The Book
Steve Spangler has spent more than three decades studying a simple question: What makes people lean in instead of tune out?
As an Emmy Award-winning television personality, educator, entrepreneur, and professional speaker, Spangler has captivated audiences everywhere from elementary classrooms to corporate boardrooms—and in front of millions of viewers during his 27 appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Many people first discovered Spangler through the viral Mentos and Diet Coke experiment, one of YouTube’s earliest internet science sensations. But behind that unforgettable moment is a deeper insight: Engagement doesn’t happen by accident. It’s intentionally designed.
In The Engagement Effect, Spangler reveals the principles he has refined through decades of live demonstrations, national television appearances, and large-scale audience experiences—including events that have brought more than fifteen thousand students, teachers, and families together in a single stadium for hands-on STEM learning.
Through stories, demonstrations, and leadership insights drawn from decades on stage and television, Spangler shows readers how to create experiences that make people feel seen, involved, and inspired to act.
Readers will learn how to:
• Capture attention in the first fifteen seconds
• Turn passive audiences into active participants
• Design shared experiences that spark curiosity
• Build trust that inspires engagement
• Transform everyday interactions into memorable experiences
Whether you lead a classroom, a team, an organization, or a room full of conference attendees, The Engagement Effectoffers a practical framework for creating experiences people remember—and act on.
Because when people truly engage, learning deepens, trust grows, and ideas finally begin to stick.
Product Details
- Publisher: Forefront Books (October 7, 2025)
- Length: 256 pages
- ISBN13: 9781637634844
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Raves and Reviews
“Over the course of twenty-seven appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I saw Steve Spangler turn science segments into unforgettable shared experiences—moments that sparked joy, curiosity, and connection for millions. The Engagement Effect captures that same energy and breaks down the how and why behind it all. This book is Steve at his best.”
—Chris Cucci, Producer, The Ellen DeGeneres Show
“There’s something truly electric about watching fifteen thousand students, teachers, and parents fill Coors Field for our annual STEM Day with Steve Spangler. That kind of excitement and connection doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of intentional strategies that make every individual feel seen, involved, and inspired. In The Engagement Effect, Steve reveals the same powerful techniques he’s used to make STEM Day one of our most impactful events. This book is an excellent tool on how to captivate an audience and turn engagement into action.”
—Greg Feasel, President and Chief Operating Officer, Colorado Rockies Baseball
“For decades, I’ve had a front-row seat to Steve Spangler’s ability to turn everyday television into something unforgettable. He doesn’t just demonstrate science—he creates shared moments filled with wonder, laughter, and meaning. The Engagement Effect is full of heart, humor, and the kind of insight that turns information into inspiration.”
—Kim Christiansen, Anchor, 9NEWS Denver
“The strongest brands don’t just sell products—they create experiences that connect, inspire, and build trust. That’s what we saw when Excelligence acquired Steve Spangler Science. Steve’s work has always gone beyond science, products, and speaking; it’s about sparking curiosity and cultivating engagement. The Engagement Effect distills that mission into a powerful playbook for leaders and educators who want to elevate every interaction into something meaningful, memorable, and transformative.”
—Anupam Martins, Chief Executive Officer, Excelligence Learning Corporation
“The strongest brands don’t just sell products—they create experiences that connect, inspire, and build trust. That’s what we saw when Excelligence acquired Steve Spangler Science. Steve’s work has always gone beyond science, products, and speaking; it’s about sparking curiosity and cultivating engagement. The Engagement Effect distills that mission into a powerful playbook for leaders and educators who want to elevate every interaction into something meaningful, memorable, and transformative.”
—Anupam Martins, Chief Executive Officer, Excelligence Learning Corporation
“At NAFEPA, we focus on translating national education goals into meaningful impact at the state and local levels. Steve Spangler has helped our leaders do just that—bringing his strategies to life with energy, purpose, and clarity. The Engagement Effect offers that same spark in written form. It’s a powerful resource for anyone looking to turn ideas into real connection and lasting change.”
—Bobby J. Burns, Executive Director, National Association of Federal Education Programs (NAFEPA)
“What Steve Spangler offers in The Engagement Effect is more than a strategy—it’s a mindset. He shows us that true leadership is about creating experiences that make people feel seen, inspired, and ready to grow. This book is a master class in transformational connection.”
—Dr. Nido R. Qubein, President, High Point University
“We’ve trusted Steve Spangler to help us create unforgettable moments for hundreds of thousands of educators at Get Your Teach On—and he always delivers. This book brings his passion, creativity, and practical strategies to the page. If you want to inspire people and leave a lasting impact, this is your playbook.”
—Hope & Wade King, Cofounders, Get Your Teach On
“Few people understand the power of engagement like Steve Spangler. I had the opportunity to read The Engagement Effect early on, and even then, it was clear—this book has the potential to transform how we lead, teach, and connect. It’s a timely, essential guide for anyone who wants to make their message matter.”
—Skip Prichard, President and CEO, OCLC; Author of The Book of Mistakes
“For more than twenty-five years, Steve Spangler has brought science to life on 9NEWS through over 1,800 unforgettable segments—each one designed to spark wonder, ignite curiosity, and inspire joy. In The Engagement Effect, he reveals the proven strategies behind those moments of magic. They’ve captivated television audiences for decades—and they’ll work for you too.”
—Mark Cornetta, Senior Vice President, TEGNA; President & General Manager, 9NEWS (KUSA/KTVD)
“Over the course of twenty-seven appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I saw Steve Spangler turn science segments into unforgettable shared experiences—moments that sparked joy, curiosity, and connection for millions. The Engagement Effect captures that same energy and breaks down the how and why behind it all. This book is Steve at his best.”
—Chris Cucci, Producer, The Ellen DeGeneres Show
“There’s something truly electric about watching fifteen thousand students, teachers, and parents fill Coors Field for our annual STEM Day with Steve Spangler. That kind of excitement and connection doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the result of intentional strategies that make every individual feel seen, involved, and inspired. In The Engagement Effect, Steve reveals the same powerful techniques he’s used to make STEM Day one of our most impactful events. This book is an excellent tool on how to captivate an audience and turn engagement into action.”
—Greg Feasel, President and Chief Operating Officer, Colorado Rockies Baseball
“For decades, I’ve had a front-row seat to Steve Spangler’s ability to turn everyday television into something unforgettable. He doesn’t just demonstrate science—he creates shared moments filled with wonder, laughter, and meaning. The Engagement Effect is full of heart, humor, and the kind of insight that turns information into inspiration.”
—Kim Christiansen, Anchor, 9NEWS Denver
“The strongest brands don’t just sell products—they create experiences that connect, inspire, and build trust. That’s what we saw when Excelligence acquired Steve Spangler Science. Steve’s work has always gone beyond science, products, and speaking; it’s about sparking curiosity and cultivating engagement. The Engagement Effect distills that mission into a powerful playbook for leaders and educators who want to elevate every interaction into something meaningful, memorable, and transformative.”
—Anupam Martins, Chief Executive Officer, Excelligence Learning Corporation
“The strongest brands don’t just sell products—they create experiences that connect, inspire, and build trust. That’s what we saw when Excelligence acquired Steve Spangler Science. Steve’s work has always gone beyond science, products, and speaking; it’s about sparking curiosity and cultivating engagement. The Engagement Effect distills that mission into a powerful playbook for leaders and educators who want to elevate every interaction into something meaningful, memorable, and transformative.”
—Anupam Martins, Chief Executive Officer, Excelligence Learning Corporation
“At NAFEPA, we focus on translating national education goals into meaningful impact at the state and local levels. Steve Spangler has helped our leaders do just that—bringing his strategies to life with energy, purpose, and clarity. The Engagement Effect offers that same spark in written form. It’s a powerful resource for anyone looking to turn ideas into real connection and lasting change.”
—Bobby J. Burns, Executive Director, National Association of Federal Education Programs (NAFEPA)
“What Steve Spangler offers in The Engagement Effect is more than a strategy—it’s a mindset. He shows us that true leadership is about creating experiences that make people feel seen, inspired, and ready to grow. This book is a master class in transformational connection.”
—Dr. Nido R. Qubein, President, High Point University
“We’ve trusted Steve Spangler to help us create unforgettable moments for hundreds of thousands of educators at Get Your Teach On—and he always delivers. This book brings his passion, creativity, and practical strategies to the page. If you want to inspire people and leave a lasting impact, this is your playbook.”
—Hope & Wade King, Cofounders, Get Your Teach On
“Few people understand the power of engagement like Steve Spangler. I had the opportunity to read The Engagement Effect early on, and even then, it was clear—this book has the potential to transform how we lead, teach, and connect. It’s a timely, essential guide for anyone who wants to make their message matter.”
—Skip Prichard, President and CEO, OCLC; Author of The Book of Mistakes
“For more than twenty-five years, Steve Spangler has brought science to life on 9NEWS through over 1,800 unforgettable segments—each one designed to spark wonder, ignite curiosity, and inspire joy. In The Engagement Effect, he reveals the proven strategies behind those moments of magic. They’ve captivated television audiences for decades—and they’ll work for you too.”
—Mark Cornetta, Senior Vice President, TEGNA; President & General Manager, 9NEWS (KUSA/KTVD)
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