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iExploreScience: STEM in Elem episodes
- 88 Using Performance Expectations to Build Units
The performance expectations are a great place to start when building your units. But, you need to be careful that you aren't just teaching what is listed in the PEs. In this episode, we discuss how to use the performance expectations to build bundles and units with great phenomena. The goal is to create units that authentically connect to the phenomenon so that it doesn't feel forced.
If you found this episode helpful, you may also want to check out:- Episode 87: How to Choose Better Phenomena
- Episode 77: All About Anchoring Phenomena
- Blog Post: Using Evidence Statements to Write Objectives
Let's Connect:- Click here to grab your FREE Storyline Starter and check out the Spark Subscription.
- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
- Get on the Waitlist for the Student-Driven Investigations Course by clicking here: SadlerScience.com/investigate
📬 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/
26 min - 87 Choosing Better Phenomena
Choosing great phenomena isn't easy. Phenomena need to be relevant and engaging in order to meet their intended purpose. But, what makes a great phenomenon great? Get examples of great phenomena and learn how to find your own in this episode.
To check out the full episode recap, click here.If you enjoyed this episode, here are a few others you can check out:
- Episode 77 - All About Anchors
- Episode 55- Three Things Holding You Back from 3D Learning
- Episode 37 - Does the NGSS Do Enough to Prepare Students
Get More Help from the Teaching Science in 3D podcast!
- Click here to grab your FREE Storyline Starter and check out the Spark Subscription.
- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- Explore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.
- Get on the Waitlist for the Student-Driven Investigations Course by clicking here: SadlerScience.com/investigate
📬 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/
35 min - 86 3 Pain-Free Science Teacher Prep Tips for Summer
Summer is finally here! After the exhausting year that you have had, you need as much relaxation as you can get. If you are a science teacher who is planning to spend some time prepping this summer, here are things to focus on. These are quick and easy things you can do that won't eat into your summer rest time.
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.
- Grab your next Anchor Experience and experience teaching student-driven storylines with the Spark Subscription Trial
- The Student-Driven Investigation Course is available to purchase this week only! Go to SadlerScience.com/investigate to learn more.
📬 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 - 85 Colleagues, Administrators, and Creating A 3D Teaching Culture: An Interview With Biology Teacher Nicole H.
This week on the podcast, listen as Nicole VanTassel from iExploreScience interviews Nicole H., a high school biology teacher who has done the work getting her school and district on board with three dimensional teaching and learning. It has not been an easy journey (and if you're in the same boat, I know you're nodding along!), but Nicole has some great insight on what worked and what didn't as she worked toward change in her local school system.
If you'd like to connect with Nicole, you can find her on Facebook right 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.
- Grab your next Anchor Experience and experience teaching student-driven storylines with the Spark Subscription Trial
📬 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 - 84 3 Easy Ways to Add Purpose to Your Science Investigations
Are you making the most of your science investigations? When Erin started teaching, she definitely wasn't.
She started by using a mostly lecture-based model for her classroom. Then, when she began to incorporate investigations she didn't consider the purpose of the investigations. Therefore, they didn't add as much value to her classes as they could have.
In this episode, Erin shares easy strategies that she has adopted to add purpose to the science investigations in her classroom.
For a full episode recap click here.
Do you want to join Erin's Free training on June 7th? Click here for info.
Other Episodes to Check Out- How to Teach for Student Discovery
- How to Teach Science Vocabulary
- How to Include More Exploration
Let's Connect
- 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.
📬 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/
12 min - 83 3 Reasons You're Afraid to Ditch the Recipe-Style Science LabsAre you using recipe-style science labs in your classroom? While these activities are common, they don't teach students how to plan and carry out investigations. In this episode, Erin discusses the main reasons that teachers are afraid to ditch these recipe-style labs. Then, she provides easy to implement solutions.
If you are interested in learning more about student-driven investigations, get on the waitlist for Erin's Student-Driven Investigations Course.
For a full episode recap, click here.
Other Episodes to Check Out- How to Teach for Student Discovery
- Saying Goodbye to Lessons on the Scientific Method with NGSS
- How to Teach Science Vocabulary
- 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.
📬 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 - 82 Flip Your Lesson For Discovery
This week, Nicole expands on the exploration discussion from last week and discusses how you can "flip" existing lessons to add more opportunities for exploration and discovery. You don't always have to reinvent the wheel, even when you're aiming for exploration-based three-dimensional learning. Oftentimes, simple tweaks and revisions can turn a flat traditional lesson into a three-dimensional discovery experience. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Register for Nicole's June workshop - Exploration Alchemy: Flip Your Lesson For Discovery at www.iexplorescience.com/monthly.
More Resources:- Episode 6: How to Make Sense of the Science and Engineering Practices
- Episode 8: How to Really Use the 5E Model
- Episode 10: How to Teach for Student Discovery
- Episode 66: Engaging Students in Constructing Explanations
Let's Connect- 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.
📬 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 - 81 Expanding Our Understanding Of The "Explore" Phase
This week, Nicole and Erin answer a listener question from Michelle in Washington. Michelle asked, "I would love to know more about how students go through the explore phase. How do you find activities for the students? How do you progress monitor?" She also asks, "how long is an explore phase?" We answer these questions and more in this episode.
More Resources:- Episode 6: How to Make Sense of the Science and Engineering Practices
- Episode 8: How to Really Use the 5E Model
- Episode 10: How to Teach for Student Discovery
Let's Connect- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
- Submit a Question
- The Secrets of CER: Your Step-by-Step Guide
- 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.
📬 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 - 80 "Still In The Middle, But Moving Closer": An Interview With Middle School Teacher Mercedes G.
The 2020-2021 academic year hasn’t been easy, but for some teachers, it hasn’t been without success either. Meet Mercedes.
“I think I’m still in the middle, but I’m moving closer… it is that spectrum.” [2:50]
Mercedes began exploring how to use three-dimensional teaching in her middle school science classroom just a few years ago, and in this podcast episode, she shares both her successes and where she’s still learning and growing. This candid conversation is both a celebration of what is possible and a reflection on where there’s still space to improve (because we ALL have space to improve). Mercedes’ natural inclination toward engagement, discussion, and empowering student ownership has given her a jumpstart in implementing three-dimensional, student-owned science, but her reflective nature is truly what is making her the amazing teacher she is — it’s allowed her to identify her “next steps” to take her teaching - and her students’ learning - even further.
This episode is sure to spark that reflection in your own teaching - your planning, in how you craft your activities and respond to student questions, and even in more subtle areas like assumptions about student abilities and performance. You’ll also walk away with a few phenomena ideas for science topics like weather and climate, some strategies for encouraging student reflection about participation and talk, and a simple introduction to “flipping” your science lessons for greater exploration.
Click here for the full episode recap.
Additional Resources- Connect With Mercedes G. >> Instagram
- Using Student Questions to Build Storylines - Podcast Episode 17
- 67 [TT] Who Is Doing The Talking?
- 59 Creating A Culture Of Engagement And Connection: Interview With Middle School Teacher Debbie J.
- iExploreScience Be Curious Cohorts Wait List
Let's Connect- 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.
📬 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/
35 min - 79 NGSS Curriculum: Why One Size Doesn't Fit All
Adopting a curriculum is a major hurdle to overcome in the shift to NGSS. However, after the adoption, you might start to notice that the curriculum isn't connecting with your students. We have found that it's nearly impossible to create an NGSS Curriculum that is one size fits all. Listen to this week's episode to find out why and what you can do about it.
For the full episode recap, click here.
Here are more resources to help you with NGSS Curriculum:- All About Anchors - Podcast Episode 77
- Using Student Questions to Build Storylines - Podcast Episode 17
- How I Create Cohesive Storylines - Sadler Science
Let's Connect
- 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.
📬 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.