Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share iExploreScience: STEM in Elem
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
iExploreScience: STEM in Elem episodes
- 108 How Your Students CAN Do This!
What do you do when you feel like your students can't do something? In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss steps that you can take to move your students forward when they are struggling.
More Resources:- Grab Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Plan Template
- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
- Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.
📬 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 - 107 Helping Your Students Engage In Authentic Learning
Authentic learning requires our students to step up and truly engage, truly join the process. But in truth, that's easier said than done... for our students. Learning is scary! It makes us vulnerable. There is a real risk of failure, of embarrassment, of challenging the good things we think about ourselves and reinforcing the bad things. So how can we support our students in taking this leap? How can we scaffold exploration and discovery? In this solo episode, Nicole shares a few ways you can support students as they embark on their authentic learning journey.
Referenced Resources:- Spark Subscription
- 101 The Brain Science Behind Your Students' (Missing) Engagement
More Resources:- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
📬 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 - 106 Five Strategies For NGSS Implementation In Elementary School
The NGSS completely changed the world of science education. As a result, the NGSS can feel completely overwhelming for elementary teachers. However, most of the changes are actually easy to implement. And, they lead to major improvements in students' understanding of the nature of science.
In this episode, Erin provides 5 simple steps that you can use to begin meeting the intent of the NGSS in your classroom.
📬 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 - 105 Are There Fewer Labs With NGSS?
In this episode, Nicole and Erin answer the listener question, "Are there fewer labs with the NGSS?" Like many things with the NGSS, there isn't a simple answer. Get their take on NGSS and lab activities.
More Resources:- Grab Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Plan Template
- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
- Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.
📬 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 - 104 What To Do With A Chatty Class
If you are a teacher, chances are you've been overwhelmed by students talking at least once in your career. And, we have all had those classes that are SUPER chatty. It feels like you can't get a word in edgewise. So, what do you do about it?
In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss what to do when your students never seem to stop talking. They explore common assumptions around student talk. Then, they provide strategies to help you deal with your chatty class.
Other Episodes to Check Out- How to teach for student discovery
- The Brain Science Behind Your Students' (Missing) Engagement
More Resources:
- Grab Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Plan Template
- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
- Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.
📬 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/
34 min - 103 Understanding The SEP Progression
One of the common mistakes that teachers make with Science and Engineering Practices is that they teach students the practice at the wrong grade band level. Written as a progression from kindergarten through 12th grade, the practices become more complex as students get older. The idea is that students have the opportunity to get more proficient as time goes on, carrying out each practice at a more sophisticated level. We've talked a lot about this progression on the podcast, but in this episode, Erin outlines in detail how to use the progression -- as well as some common mistakes teachers often make.
More Resources:- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
- Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.
- Download the NSTA Matrix for the SEPs here.
📬 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 - 102 Create "Common Language" And Improve Communication In Your Science Class
In any community, communication is key. Your classroom is a community, and establishing effective communication practices is vital to success and "smooth sailing." But communication is HARD. Whether it's expressing directions or expectations, or digging deep into feelings and advocating our needs -- communication is not easy. In this podcast, Nicole shares the 5 Point Scale strategy you can use to improve communication in your science class -- both from teacher-to-student and from student-to-teacher (and for student-to-student!). The 5 Point Scale can also help build self-awareness and provides opportunities for students to practice metacognition when applied to their own learning.
More Resources:- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
- Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.
📬 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/
16 min - 101 The Brain Science Behind Your Students' (Missing) Engagement
When things aren't working, sometimes you need to come back to the basics. In this episode, we look at the brain science behind student engagement (or lack thereof) in the classroom. In the midst of a global pandemic, the "stuff that gets us by" might not be effective enough to "get us by" -- so we may find value in returning to the foundations of authentic engagement and successful 3D teaching: strong classroom relationships, safe community, and routines. This episode (the first of a short series) digs into what's going on in your students' brains as the first step to understanding what you can do to meet their needs right now while paving the way for more successful learning in your classroom moving forward.
Click here for the full episode recap.
Referenced Resources:- Spark Subscription
- Culturally Responsive Teaching & The Brain*
More Resources:- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
- Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.
*affiliate link
📬 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/
31 min - 100 What We've Learned About 3D Teaching
Nicole and Erin have learned so much in the last 100 episodes! In this episode, they recount what they have learned about 3D teaching in the last 100 episodes. They talk about where they are now and how it is different from where they started. They discuss their wins as well as their challenges and mistakes.
📬 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 - 99 Six Examples To Use Crosscutting Concepts In Your Classroom
Now that you've taught your students about the Crosscutting Concepts, it's time to use them in your classroom. The more often that students make connections to the CCCs, the more valuable that they become. In this episode, Erin provides you with 5 easy-to-implement Crosscutting Concept examples to use in your classroom.
Click here to see the full episode recap.
Also, before listening to this episode, make sure that you have heard episode 98: How to Teach the Crosscutting Concepts
More Resources:- FREE Download - 55 Ready-to-Use Crosscutting Concept Questions
- Buy Erin's Crosscutting Concept Reference Sheets and Graphic Organizers
- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
- Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.
📬 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
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.