Inspiring Science Teachers

Ambitious Science Teaching book study roundup

What does it really take to shift a science classroom from covering content to helping students make sense of phenomena? In this episode, Chris Stoker talks with Emily and Jamie about the lessons they learned while leading an Idaho Science Teaching Association book study on Ambitious Science Teaching (AST). Practical tips discussed about AST strategies: * they force students to think more deeply * they work k-12 and you can start off small * they raise state test scores link to Idaho Science Teaching Association book study page [https://www.idahoscienceteacherswix.org/2023-2024-book-study]

Connecting With STEM Opportunities - Branzell and Amanda

For this episode Becky and Chris interview Branzell Porchia, STEM Program Manager, and Amanda Paterson, Computer Science Program Manager with WDC + STEM.  They have a great passion for connecting  teachers and kids with stem resources in our state.  Two take aways: 1) the big impact we can have on students when we give them powerful learning experiences and 2) the vast number of opportunities that Idaho offers to help prepare students for STEM and the workforce. Resources links:   Idaho STEM Action Center https://stem.idaho.gov/ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstem.idaho.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstoker.chris%40westada.org%7C6a20b8e74bfe4ff7651c08de94b296f4%7Ce0d6252b4a93477e885c3a03eebc7753%7C0%7C0%7C639111691934569070%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=flP9RsY%2BBt71JRCy6%2BGqRddnvlc%2F43psJ9dfn8YtJP0%3D&reserved=0] Next Steps Idaho https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnextsteps.idaho.gov%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstoker.chris%40westada.org%7C6a20b8e74bfe4ff7651c08de94b296f4%7Ce0d6252b4a93477e885c3a03eebc7753%7C0%7C0%7C639111691934596887%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4CXHc8FhvCZNdSg3FJCYI4IqJ7AkQi7a%2By5bC9TtPF4%3D&reserved=0] Launch Scholarship https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/launch [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnextsteps.idaho.gov%2Flaunch&data=05%7C02%7Cstoker.chris%40westada.org%7C6a20b8e74bfe4ff7651c08de94b296f4%7Ce0d6252b4a93477e885c3a03eebc7753%7C0%7C0%7C639111691934617090%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IFcU2w86SsuREr1SWJCgnk5FEAMuXKsIn%2F1WVfj%2FjoE%3D&reserved=0] STEM Diploma Scholarship https://stem.idaho.gov/stem-id/ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstem.idaho.gov%2Fstem-id%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstoker.chris%40westada.org%7C6a20b8e74bfe4ff7651c08de94b296f4%7Ce0d6252b4a93477e885c3a03eebc7753%7C0%7C0%7C639111691934636476%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=B9EOx9qox0CrbDJRBuG30WVedK3x6qAZMkvH51BM1OM%3D&reserved=0] Learning Blade https://stem.idaho.gov/learning-blade/ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstem.idaho.gov%2Flearning-blade%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstoker.chris%40westada.org%7C6a20b8e74bfe4ff7651c08de94b296f4%7Ce0d6252b4a93477e885c3a03eebc7753%7C0%7C0%7C639111691934655625%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ICorL%2BdpDyEcbDYEAtOE8ei5Fqapk0EhM%2BS1ArE2bpc%3D&reserved=0] Code.org https://code.org/en-US [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcode.org%2Fen-US&data=05%7C02%7Cstoker.chris%40westada.org%7C6a20b8e74bfe4ff7651c08de94b296f4%7Ce0d6252b4a93477e885c3a03eebc7753%7C0%7C0%7C639111691934675874%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=q608cvDnwXCvwly815TR3xRn9pUulkk56o3ruwSvXe0%3D&reserved=0] EngineeringbyDesign https://www.iteea.org/engineering-bydesign [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iteea.org%2Fengineering-bydesign&data=05%7C02%7Cstoker.chris%40westada.org%7C6a20b8e74bfe4ff7651c08de94b296f4%7Ce0d6252b4a93477e885c3a03eebc7753%7C0%7C0%7C639111691934695369%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=l6YBfmMDCwB%2Fz%2Be9T1gpWz8Qs8xvfbo951u23iQhG6o%3D&reserved=0] Idaho Science and Engineering Fairs https://stem.idaho.gov/idsef/ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstem.idaho.gov%2Fidsef%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstoker.chris%40westada.org%7C6a20b8e74bfe4ff7651c08de94b296f4%7Ce0d6252b4a93477e885c3a03eebc7753%7C0%7C0%7C639111691934716000%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=YW8zJURgw%2B2EB4Dn3kyTetc%2BM4M6C30o%2BFG%2Blop6n8A%3D&reserved=0] Hour of AI https://stem.idaho.gov/csedweek/ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstem.idaho.gov%2Fcsedweek%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstoker.chris%40westada.org%7C6a20b8e74bfe4ff7651c08de94b296f4%7Ce0d6252b4a93477e885c3a03eebc7753%7C0%7C0%7C639111691934735286%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ifsl20DDVFs1Tx%2FYBM21284KE4Vh%2BC1%2Bxx2hzalOCVg%3D&reserved=0] ISTEM https://stem.idaho.gov/istem/ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstem.idaho.gov%2Fistem%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cstoker.chris%40westada.org%7C6a20b8e74bfe4ff7651c08de94b296f4%7Ce0d6252b4a93477e885c3a03eebc7753%7C0%7C0%7C639111691934754140%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=92TqjK2nSPs82%2F4GV%2Fb4MIQQqvmucHIoaIQj2RGR41o%3D&reserved=0]

A February Reset For Science Teachers

In this episode Chris shares 4 things he would do if he were jumping back into a classroom to start February. These are ideas that would hopefully help when your class (or you) are starting to drag before spring break.  They are 1) stop explaining so much, 2) simplify and streamline, 3) protect your energy, and 4) double down on what works.

Students talk about the STEM Student Ambassador program

In this episode, Chris interviews 5 students about the Idaho EcosySTEM Student Ambassador program. Through this program, students in 6-12th grade engage in hands-on projects, participate in industry tours, and build collaboration and leadership skills while making a meaningful impact in their school and community. It is modeled after the Chief Science Officer Program. Learn more here [https://community.idahostem.org/page/studentambassador].

"Be Courageous in Making Changes for Education" with Carrie and Camp

In this episode, Becky and Chris interviewed Carrie and Camp, two educators from the New England Innovation Academy (NEIA) near Boston.  They are doing some great things with students, and we are excited to share the conversation with you.  Even though they teach are a small innovative school, almost all of their ideas could be implemented in any school setting.