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iExploreScience: STEM in Elem episodes
- 28 How to Navigate Remote Learning
In this episode, Erin Sadler discusses school closures and remote learning. She answers the questions that you submitted to and provides suggestions for this new challenge in education. Erin answers questions about maintaining a work-life balance while working from home, dealing with a lack of engagements and inequities in the remote learning space.
Resources Referenced:
>> Establishing Norms for Remote Learning from Sadler Science
>> Google Apps Suggestions from Sadler Science
>> Is it Alive? A Closer Look at Viruses Remote Learning Resource from Nicole at iExploreScience
>> Integrating the NGSS SEPs During Remote Learning from Vanessa Logan Wentzloff at Out of the Box Stem
Learn more...
>> Check out Nicole's blog and resources at iExploreScience!
>> Check out Erin's blog and resources at SadlerScience!
>> Enroll in the free, 4-day mini-course designed to kickstart your transition to the NGSS and discovery-style instruction - Kickstart Aha!
>> Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
>> NGSS For Middle and High School Science Teachers Facebook Group
>> NGSS Newbies Facebook Group
📬 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/
25 min - 27 How To Use The SEPs Together
In this episode, Nicole and Erin chat about how to use several Science and Engineering Practices together to guide student learning.
Resources Referenced:
>> NSTA Matrix for Science and Engineering Practices
Learn more...
>> Check out Nicole's blog and resources at iExploreScience!
>> Check out Erin's blog and resources at SadlerScience!
>> Enroll in the free, 4-day mini-course designed to kickstart your transition to the NGSS and discovery-style instruction - Kickstart Aha!
>> Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
>> NGSS For Middle and High School Science Teachers Facebook Group
📬 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/
38 min - 26 How To Prep For A Science Conference
In this episode, Nicole VanTassel from iExploreScience chats with Ohio teacher Mindy Cottrell about her experience at the NSTA Area Conference in Cincinnati in November of 2019. They discuss how to prepare for a teaching conference, how to make the most of your time there, and how to reduce the overwhelm you might feel by the time you leave!
If you're planning to attend NSTA Boston in April 2020 or any other science conference, you definitely want to listen to advice from two teachers who have had their fair share of conference experiences!
Resources Referenced:
>> NSTA Conferences
Learn more...
>> Check out Nicole's blog and resources at iExploreScience!
>> Check out Erin's blog and resources at SadlerScience!
>> Enroll in the free, 4-day mini-course designed to kickstart your transition to the NGSS and discovery-style instruction - Kickstart Aha!
>> Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
>> NGSS For Middle and High School Science Teachers Facebook Group
📬 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/
41 min - 25 How To Write Objectives (Or Not!?)
In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss how you might use objectives -- or why you might choose NOT to -- in your NGSS classroom.
Resources Referenced:
>> NGSS Evidence Statements
>> Using Evidence Statements To Write Objectives
Learn more...
>> Check out Nicole's blog and resources at iExploreScience!
>> Check out Erin's blog and resources at SadlerScience!
>> Enroll in the free, 4-day mini-course designed to kickstart your transition to the NGSS and discovery-style instruction - Kickstart Aha: Intro To The NGSS.
>> Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the iExploreAcademy.
>> NGSS For Middle and High School Science Teachers Facebook Group
📬 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/
18 min - 24 How To Write 3D Formative Assessments
In this episode, Erin talks to Brendan Fitch from Inner Orbit about crafting three dimensional formative assessments for your NGSS classroom.
Resources Referenced:
>> Inner Orbit
>> RocketLit
>> Contact Brendan Finch
>> NGSS Evidence Statements
>> Using Evidence Statements To Write Objectives
>> NGSS Progressions By Grade: Disciplinary Core Ideas
>> NGSS Progressions By Grade: Science and Engineering Practices
>> NGSS Progressions By Grade: Crosscutting Concepts
>> Achieve Task Annotation Project
Learn more...
>> Check out Nicole's blog and resources at iExploreScience!
>> Check out Erin's blog and resources at SadlerScience!
>> Enroll in the free, 4-day mini-course designed to kickstart your transition to the NGSS and discovery-style instruction - Kickstart Aha!
>> Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
>> NGSS For Middle and High School Science Teachers Facebook Group
📬 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/
39 min - 23 How To Go From Hands-On To Minds-On
In this episode, Nicole VanTassel from iExploreScience chats with New York teacher Christine Missert about her experience implementing the NGSS. They discuss how to take students from engaging hands-on learning to the minds-on thinking that the new standards demand.
Resources Referenced:
>> Christine Missert on Instagram
>> Teaching Science In 3D Podcast on Instagram
Learn more...
>> Check out Nicole's blog and resources at iExploreScience!
>> Check out Erin's blog and resources at SadlerScience!
>> Enroll in the free, 4-day mini-course designed to kickstart your transition to the NGSS and discovery-style instruction - Kickstart Aha!
>> Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
>> NGSS For Middle and High School Science Teachers Facebook Group
📬 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/
28 min - 22 How To Increase Student Independence
In this week's episode, we explore the listener question, "How do I increase student independence in my classroom?"
There are so many ways that we can help students take control of their own learning, but we can't expect it to happen overnight. These tips will help you ease that transition.
Resources Referenced:
7 Ways to Increase Student Autonomy in Your Classroom
Super Simple Warm-UpsLearn more...
>> Check out Nicole's blog and resources at iExploreScience!
>> Check out Erin's blog and resources at SadlerScience!
>> Enroll in the free, 4-day mini-course designed to kickstart your transition to the NGSS and discovery-style instruction - Kickstart Aha!
>> Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
>> NGSS For Middle and High School Science Teachers Facebook Group
📬 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/
17 min - 21 How To Accommodate All Students
In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss strategies to meet the needs of all students, particularly English Language Learners and students with IEPs. Unsurprisingly, many strategies dubbed effective for diverse student populations actually benefit ALL students. Check out some of their best ideas in today's episode.
Resources Referenced:
Learn more...
>> Check out Nicole's blog and resources at iExploreScience!
>> Check out Erin's blog and resources at SadlerScience!
>> Enroll in the free, 4-day mini-course designed to kickstart your transition to the NGSS and discovery-style instruction - Kickstart Aha!
>> Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
>> NGSS For Middle and High School Science Teachers Facebook Group
📬 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/
19 min - 20 How To Use Standards Based Grading With The NGSS
In this episode, Erin talks with high school teacher Vanessa Wentzloff about standards-based grading in the NGSS classroom.
Other Episodes to Check Out:- How to prevent cheating on assessments
Resources Referenced:
>> Out Of The Box STEM on Instagram
>> Blog: Out Of The Box STEM
>> Grading From The Inside Out
>> Formative Assessments and Standards Based Grading
Learn more...
>> Check out Nicole's blog and resources at iExploreScience!
>> Check out Erin's blog and resources at SadlerScience!
>> Enroll in the free, 4-day mini-course designed to kickstart your transition to the NGSS and discovery-style instruction - Kickstart Aha!
>> Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
>> NGSS For Middle and High School Science Teachers Facebook Group
📬 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/
27 min - 19 How To Teach Vocabulary In Your NGSS Classroom
In this episode, Nicole VanTassel from iExploreScience shares an exclusive training on teaching vocabulary in your NGSS classroom - staying true to exploration and discovery while still supporting vocabulary acquisition.
Check out the full episode recap here.
Resources Referenced:
>> Explore To Aha! Academy
Learn more...
>> Check out Nicole's blog and resources at iExploreScience!
>> Check out Erin's blog and resources at SadlerScience!
>> Enroll in the free, 4-day mini-course designed to kickstart your transition to the NGSS and discovery-style instruction - Kickstart Aha!
>> Looking for a comprehensive professional development program that will give you a step-by-step guide to "NGSSing" your science class? Check out the Explore To Aha! Academy.
>> NGSS For Middle and High School Science Teachers Facebook Group
📬 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/
23 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.