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
"Start Small" Series: Building Simple Routines With 3D Practices
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
In the first episode of this "Start Small" series, Nicole shares three ideas to consider implementing this fall that will engage your students in three-dimensional learning in a way that builds skill through consistency and practice -- all without eating up huge chunks of class time OR creating a sense of overwhelm for you or your students.
1) Notice and Wonder Warm Up -- with ideas for extensions that deepen learning and connect to your content!
Relevant Links
- iExploreScience Blog: Classroom Procedures (Science Starter)
- iExploreScience: Notice & Wonder Curiosity Kickstarter (Winter Theme)
- iExploreScience Notice & Wonder Intro Activity (TpT - Free!)
2) What's Going On In This Graph?
Relevant Links:
3) Crosscutting Concepts Interactive Bulletin Board
Relevant Links:
- Crazy Science Lady (Side Note: I hope she has found more value in the NGSS since writing this post, but either way, I love her idea!)
More Resources:
- 111 Rethink Your Classroom Management Plan Now
- Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & Facebook
Are you looking for a quick, easy and FREE way to improve your lessons? Download Erin's 3D Lesson Planner. Then, all you have to do is write down what you are already doing in class. Then, she will send you instructions for EASY next steps. Click here to grab this FREE download.
You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to transforming your students into scientists with 3D teaching practices — what the NGSS is all about! Access this video series at iexplorescience.com/wonder and get ready to bring wonder, engagement, and a love for learning back to your science class.
📬 Stay Connected
- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
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- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/