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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.

All Episodes

iExploreScience: STEM in Elem

122 Rethinking THAT Class - What To Do When Classes Feel Like A Challenge

October 31, 2022 • Nicole VanTassel & Erin Sadler • Season 9 • Episode 2

0:00 | 35:13

In this episode, Nicole shares her personal reflections on the "labels" we may (inadvertently) assign to classes and how that can impact our relationships, classroom culture, and teaching practice. She shares how this label developed with student block in her own classroom and what she is doing to "rethink and reset" her experiences with this group of students in order to bring more joy and ease back into their work of learning.

More Resources:

Join The iExploreScience Weekly Newsletter
91 The Importance of Building Relationships in the Science Classroom
S1 E13: How to Use Relationships to Support the NGSS classroom
Teaching With Respect Agreements (iExploreScience)
Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
Explore student-driven curricula and professional development through Spark Science.

Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Click here to grab this FREE download.

Support your own and your students' understanding of the aspects of each Science and Engineering Practice in language you'll all understand. Visit www.iexplorescience.com/practices to grab your own set.

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