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iExploreScience: STEM in Elem episodes
- 68 Using Demos Effectively for NGSS Teaching
In this episode, Nicole VanTassel (iExploreScience) and Erin Sadler (Sadler Science) discuss using demonstrations in your NGSS classroom. Too often, demos can translate to "teaching as telling" -- or a "sage on the stage" style of teaching. But it does NOT have to be this way. Tune in to discover how you can use demos effectively while carrying out three-dimensional instruction and actively engaging your students in science learning.
For a full episode recap, click here.
Get More Help With 3D Teaching- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience
- Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science.
- Get Erin's new 3D lesson self-assessment tool by signing up for her email list. Click here to join.
- Enroll in a Be Curious Community Cohort now.
📬 Stay Connected- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/
15 min - 67 [TT] Who Is Doing The Talking?
"The one doing the talking is the one doing the learning." Have you heard it before? My guess is, probably. But what more do we know about this idea? In this week's Thursday thought, Nicole looks at this "catch phrase" in light of what we know about learning and development. Whether you are sold on the idea or not, this quick episode will give you something to think about as you plan your next learning experience.
Get More Help With 3D Teaching- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience
- Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science.
- Get Erin's new 3D lesson self-assessment tool by signing up for her email list. Click here to join.
- Enroll in a Be Curious Community Cohort now.
📬 Stay Connected- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/
8 min - 66 Engaging Students in Constructing Explanations
In this episode, Nicole VanTassel (iExploreScience) and Erin Sadler (Sadler Science) discuss how to develop explanations with students so that you can transition from a "teaching as telling" approach to a more student-centered learning experience.
Here are more resources to help you use a student-centered approach in your classroom:
- Teaching for Student Discovery
- Using the 5E Model
- What does direct instruction look like with NGSS?
- How to Teach Science Vocabulary
Get More Help With 3D Teaching- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience
- Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science.
- Get Erin's new 3D lesson self-assessment tool by signing up for her email list. Click here to join.
- Enroll in a Be Curious Community Cohort now.
📬 Stay Connected- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/
24 min - 65 [TT] Starting With Something Simple
It's true. The NGSS can be totally overwhelming. So, it's important to start small.
In this episode, Erin discusses how you can choose one small area of focus. Then, build upon it to bring in a 3D approach into your science class.
Get More Help With 3D Teaching- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience
- Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science.
- Get Erin's new 3D lesson self-assessment tool by signing up for her email list. Click here to join.
- Enroll in a Be Curious Community Cohort now.
📬 Stay Connected- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/
6 min - 64 Quick Wins With The Crosscutting ConceptsIn this episode, Erin explains that Crosscutting Concepts can give you some quick wins in your science class. Teachers are overwhelmed with the number of things that they have to do right now. Erin explains how to easily incorporate the Crosscutting Concepts into your lesson sequences.
Here are some of the question that she answered:- Why do we need to teach the Crosscutting Concepts?
- Why are the Crosscutting Concepts a great place to start?
- What are the benefits of including the Crosscutting Concepts?
- How do you explicitly teach the Crosscutting Concepts in your Classroom?
Here are the resources that she mentioned in this episode:- Sign up for Erin's newsletter to get her 3D lesson plan template for free. Click here to sign up.
- Crosscutting Concept Bundle for Middle School
- Crosscutting Concept Bundle for Upper Elementary School
- Find the Teaching Science in 3D Podcast on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience
- Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science
📬 Stay Connected- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/
15 min - 63 Reaching Students In The Virtual Classroom With Dr. Salina Gray
In this episode, Nicole VanTassel of iExploreScience interviews Dr. Salina Gray about her experiences teaching virtually this year. They discuss the schedules, routines, and practices Salina uses to create a classroom culture where kids show up , take risks, and truly engage in their own learning.
Let's Stay Connected In 2021
You still have time to catch the replays from the totally free Bring Wonder Back: Creating Engaged and Active Science Learners workshop!
We dove into:
- why your students aren’t curious and what you can do,
- redefining what it means to be an educator so that it really translates to less work for you and more ownership from students,
- and how we can transform “students” into SCIENTISTS so that they really take on these critical thinking, creative skills and qualities that they are going to need beyond the classroomYou can register to access the replays and resources from this free program at https://iexplorescience.com/wonder
Get More Help With 3D Teaching- Find the Teaching Science in 3D Podcast on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience
- Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science
📬 Stay Connected- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/
33 min - 62 [TT] The Good You Might Be Missing
Have you ever had a really rough day where nothing worked? Has that ever happened during a virtual observation? That happened to Erin last week.
In the end, it wasn't perfect. But she ended up finding out there were many good things happening that she totally missed. Listen to hear more.
Get More Help With 3D Teaching- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience
- Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science.
- Get Erin's new 3D lesson self-assessment tool by signing up for her email list. Click here to join.
- Enroll in a Be Curious Community Cohort now.
📬 Stay Connected- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/
7 min - 61 Science Extension Activities With Purpose
You may call them an extension, elaborate, or enrichment activities. No matter what you call them, they often lack meaning in a traditional classroom.
In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss what these episodes look like in a traditional science classroom. Then, they discuss why you might want to rethink some of these strategies. Finally, they provide some ideas for what to do instead. Click here for the full episode recap.
Other Resources:- How to Really Use the 5E Model (Podcast Episode)
- Integrate Engineering: A How-to Guide for Science Teachers
Get More Help With 3D Teaching
- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience
- Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science
📬 Stay Connected- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/
14 min - 60 [TT] Inviting Interactions With "I Wonder Why"
I've noticed a trend -- my daughter balks when I ask her a question. She is terrified of being wrong. And even if it's something that may not have a right answer, even if we are just exploring ideas, she hesitates.
Thinking back, I know my students did the same.
So how can you invite discussion, exploring ideas, interaction without putting students on the spot? Without scaring them away?
Introducing the... "I wonder why..." statement.
(I mean, I didn't invent it... but I noticed it works!)
Learn more in this episode.
Let's Stay Connected In 2021
I started off 2021 with a totally free workshop series - Bring Wonder Back: Creating Engaged and Active Science Learners. While the live workshops are over, you can still catch the replays and utilize the resources.
Over three sessions, we dove into:
- why your students aren’t curious and what you can do,
- redefining what it means to be an educator so that it really translates to less work for you and more ownership from students,
- and how we can transform “students” into SCIENTISTS so that they really take on these critical thinking, creative skills and qualities that they are going to need beyond the classroomYou can still grab your replays and resources for this free program at https://iexplorescience.com/wonder
Get More Help With 3D Teaching- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience
- Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science
- Enroll in a Be Curious Community Cohort now.
📬 Stay Connected- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/
5 min - 59 Creating A Culture Of Engagement And Connection: Interview With Middle School Teacher Debbie J.
Connecting with our students and engaging them in our science classroom is more important than ever if we aim to continue our work as educators… but right now, it’s hard.
It’s hard, but it’s not impossible.
In this week’s episode, we are interviewing middle school teacher, Debbie Juracich — who, like you, is experiencing teaching through the challenges that 2020 brought and 2021 has not yet relieved. She has experienced the schedule changes, shifting admin demands, missing out on hands-on activities, and seeing black Zoom screens where she once saw real human faces. She gets it!
But her students are still engaged. They are still connected. It’s not perfect — and she explicitly wanted to point out afterward: not every day goes this way. But there are enough bright moments to carry her on and keep her focused on what matters.
So what’s her secret? What’s the secret sauce to creating a culture of engagement and connection — even in a virtual/hybrid/COVID-era setting??
Tune in to find out. <3
Get More Help With 3D Teaching- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience
- Get more information about the NGSS with Sadler Science
📬 Stay Connected- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/
21 min
About iExploreScience: STEM in Elem
From the publisher's feed
iExploreScience: STEM in Elem is for upper elementary teachers — especially grades 3–5 —who want to make elementary science and math more engaging, without adding more prep or…
overwhelm to their day. If you’re looking for practical ways to bring STEM and hands-on learning into your classroom while still meeting standards like NGSS, this podcast is for you.
Each week, you’ll get (ideally) short, (always!) actionable episodes (about 15–30 minutes) filled with classroom-tested ideas you can actually use. From simple STEM challenges and low-prep science activities to math routines, lab management, and neurodivergent-friendly strategies, everything is designed to help you keep students thinking, moving, and engaged—especially during the most challenging times of the year.
You’ll also hear honest reflections from real classroom experiences, with a focus on what works (and what doesn’t) in my 5th grade science and math classroom — no perfection required.
I’m Nicole, and I share practical, hands-on science and math ideas designed specifically for upper elementary teachers who want engaging, rigorous lessons without the overwhelm.