iExploreScience: STEM in Elem
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.
iExploreScience: STEM in Elem
115 How Can You Use Science Notebooks And Interactive Notebooking?
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
This episode comes from a listener's question about science notebooks. Lindsay from New Mexico asked the following question.
"I would love to learn more about incorporating interactive notebooks into the NGSS classroom. Do you follow [the] left/right side [structure]? How do you grade them? Do you use them as a lab notebook as well?"
This is a simple question with lots of parts. So, we'll answer. them one at a time. Click here for the episode recap.
Other Episodes to Listen to
Other Resources
- Interactive Notebooks in the Science Classroom Made Simple - Sadler Science
- The Traditional Method For Organizing an Interactive Notebook - Sadler Science
- 5 Ways to Improve Your Interactive Notebooks - Sadler Science
- Interactive Science Notebooks For The NGSS - iExploreScience
- Teaching With Science Notebooks [Inside Spark Science]
If you are just starting your journey with the NGSS and are looking for a clearer picture on what it looks like in the classroom and means for your instruction, check out the Bring Wonder Back Workshop. This is a FREE workshop series designed to get you started. Visit iexplorescience.com/wonder for details.
📬 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/