From the science classroom. For the science classroom.Science education looks different today than it ever has before. The constant flow of new ideas and challenges opens up exciting opportunities for scientists, educators, and learners alike to reexamine our world and our place in it. Join middle school science educator Eric Cross as he sits down with fellow educators, scientists, and engineers to explore the best ways we can improve our K–8 science teaching practices and create wonder for young minds.
Making science a superhero
Tune in to the finale of Science Connections with elementary educator and recipient of the 2023 Anton Banko Award for Excellence in Teaching Elementary Science, Kate Bala. In this episode, Kate shares teaching tips on how she seamlessly integrates science with other content areas to give students an engaging, phenomena-based learning experience. Listen to hear about Kate’s unique teaching style and the helpful tips she offers to make science the superhero of any classroom.To learn more about the resources Kate shares, check out the following:Dive into The Wonder of Science for list of phenomenon for each NGSS grade band.Read Sharing Books, Talking Science, to start integrating literacy into your own science lessons.
12/5/2023 • 59 minutes, 45 seconds
Telling the story of science
Join us as we sit down with doctoral student and 2023 NSTA keynote speaker, Minerva Contreras. Listen as Minerva tells her science story, discusses the benefits of storytelling in science, and shares how diverse representation and inclusion in science opens doors for students.For more from Minerva, check out these resources:Watch the latest episode of Crash Course en Español, BiologíaCheck out the posters Eric's students made that highlight Minerva.Hear more of Minerva’s story by tuning into her episode on Story Collider.Keep up to date with Minerva by following her on Instagram and Twitter.Catch Minerva in person at the 2023 NSTA National Conference.
9/27/2023 • 51 minutes, 21 seconds
S3-06: Identifying and addressing pseudoscience
Join us as we continue our discussion on the importance of integrating critical thinking into the science classroom with former teacher and current director of education at the Center for Inquiry, Bertha Vazquez. Listen as Bertha shares her experience with engaging students through identifying pseudoscience, and how developing these skills creates an identifiable impact on the real world.For more from Bertha , check out the following resources:Check out Generation Skeptics to access some of the resources Bertha shared.Learn more about combatting pseudoscience at Science Saves.Find out more about the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science.Get your free back-to-school toolkit from Amplify Science.
8/8/2023 • 57 minutes, 25 seconds
S3-05: Thinking is power
Join us as we sit down with Melanie Trecek-King, college professor and creator of Thinking is Power, to explore how much of an asset science can truly be in developing the skills students need to navigate the real world. You’ll learn about “fooling” students and the importance of developing critical thinking, information literacy, and science literacy in the classroom. We’ll also share real strategies and lesson examples that help build these essential skills and engage students in learning.And don’t forget to grab your Science Connections study guide to track your learning and find additional resources!For more from Melanie, check out the following resources:Website: Thinking is PowerSkeptical Inquirer article: “How to Sell Pseudoscience” by Melanie Trecek-KingAssignment: How to Sell PseudoscienceSkeptical Inquirer article: “Teach Skills, Not Facts” by Melanie Trecek-King
6/22/2023 • 57 minutes, 35 seconds
S3-04: Using AI and ChatGPT in K–12 classrooms
In the latest episode of the Science Connections podcast, we explore using AI in the classroom and its impact on our students. Listen as I sit down with teachers Donnie Piercey and Jennifer Roberts to discuss ChatGPT and how we can use it to build science and literacy skills in K–12 classrooms while preparing students for the real world. And don’t forget to grab your Science Connections study guide to track your learning and find additional resources!
6/1/2023 • 1 hour, 1 minute, 14 seconds
S3-03: Teacher tips for uniting science and literacy
We’re continuing our investigations around science and literacy with Doug Fisher, Ph.D., professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University. We talk about the importance of integrating science and literacy, as well as practical guidance for teachers who want to unite the two disciplines in their own classrooms.Listen as we discuss how science and literacy can be powerful allies and specific strategy areas to focus on when integrating the two disciplines. And don’t forget to grab your Science Connections study guide to track your learning and find additional resources!
5/11/2023 • 43 minutes, 46 seconds
S3 - 02. How science strengthens literacy and language development
In our second episode of the season, we continue finding ways that science is overlooked and how it can be better utilized in schools—and as an ally to other subjects! We sat down with Dr. Susan Gomez Zwiep, former middle school science teacher and senior science educator and staff advocate at BSCC Science Learning. She shared past experiences and research that shows the benefits of integrating science and literacy, as well as strategies for applying these ideas in the classroom. Listen now and then explore more from the Science Connections podcast!
4/20/2023 • 44 minutes, 4 seconds
S3 - 01. Science as the underdog, and the research behind it
It's time for season 3 of the Science Connections podcast! In our first episode, we unpack the research around our season theme of science as the underdog with Horizon Research, Inc. Vice President Eric R. Banilower and Senior Researcher Courtney Plumley. Eric and Courtney dive into the research they’ve found and their experiences as former educators to show how science is often overlooked in K–12 classrooms. Listen as we discuss how the science classroom compares to other subjects in terms of time and resources, how schools are a reflection of society, and what’s needed to change science and its impact on a larger scale.
