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  • It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 18: STEM Learning

    It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 18: STEM Learning
    2024/11/11
    Closing out the second season of It's Time for Science, it's time to talk about STEM learning and women in STEM! Host Tom Racine talks with teacher Stacy Gale and science communicator Dr. Alex Dainis! Stacy Gale is currently a 4th grade teacher and the former STEM specialist at Paul Cuffee School in Providence, RI. Her love of outdoor education began when she was a camp counselor in Lake George, NY. Ms. Gale has been a GEMS-Net Science Teacher Leader since 2014. Prior to that, she was chosen to be a Science Communication Fellow onboard the EV Nautilus, where she learned about a multitude of STEM careers while exploring the depths of the ocean with Dr. Robert Ballard and his team. In 2018 she won the Greenovation Award for Environmental Innovation and STEM through Project Green School; in 2022 she was named the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association Teacher of the Year, and she was a Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) state finalist in 2024. Tom and Ms. Gale discuss why STEM education is important in to teach in schools; taking S(cience)- lessons and adding the -TEM; what got her interested in teaching STEM; STEM as the easiest way to engage students; how STEM can help students find pathways into careers; how STEM brings all the 21st century skills together like nothing else; teaching students how to fail; the importance of improving equitable access to STEM; how STEM relates to the science of reading; why teachers and parents need to keep pushing for incorporating more STEM; showing all students themselves in the field; resources and suggestions for teachers; and what it might mean for a district to have a STEM specialist. Dr. Alex Dainis is a freelance science communicator and video producer with over a decade of
    experience producing digital, educational content for the web. Her background includes a PhD
    in genetics from Stanford University, and she was honored to be a 2019 Jackson Wild Media
    Lab Fellow. Recent projects include “Hungry Planet,” a six-episode series for PBS Digital
    Studios. She is additionally the project coordinator for the Camille and Henry Dreyfus
    Foundation’s Chemistry Shorts ® Program and a host and writer for the American Chemical
    Society’s Reactions YouTube channel. She is a recent recipient of the 2024 National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communications. Tom and Dr. Dainis talk about why STEM education is critical for preparing people to make decisions about science; how personal experiences for students may change their lives; Dr. Dainis' personal experiences in being mentored and inspired; the critical thinking skills developed through STEM education that transcend science; the importance of getting women and girls excited but also helping them stay in STEM; why representation matters; what got her started in science communication; her work in helping people feel welcomed into ongoing conversations in science; some of the new communication work she’s excited about; and how she tries to showcase passion in her work. You can find Dr. Dainis on the web at;
    www.helicasemedia.com
    Twitter: @alexdainis
    Instagram: @alex.dainis
    TikTok: @alexdainis It’s Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We’d love to hear from you!

    Look for School Specialty and FOSS on Twitter and Facebook. It’s Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science System (FOSS) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.
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    45 分
  • It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 17: ELD and Science Instruction

    It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 17: ELD and Science Instruction
    2024/10/21
    This month on It's Time for Science, it's time to talk about ELD (English language development) and science instruction! Host Tom Racine talks with Diana B. Vélez and Veronica Gallardo. Diana B. Vélez is a curriculum developer and professional learning provider for the Full Option Science System Project (FOSS K–8) at the Lawrence Hall of Science. She specializes in English language development and the integration of literacy in science teaching and learning. Ms. Vélez assists in the development and implementation of FOSS instructional materials and creates pedagogical resources that support access and equity. She also leads professional learning experiences for educators, administrators, families, and community members using FOSS instructional materials to develop scientific literacy, teacher capacity, and systemic change in schools and districts across the country and internationally. Before coming to the Lawrence Hall of Science, Ms. Vélez was the instructional leader for a science-centered elementary school in Oakland, California and was a founding-member and teacher in a Spanish dual-immersion program. Veronica Gallardo is a bilingual reading specialist and science consultant. In the last fifteen years, she has held multiple professional and volunteer roles; a kindergarten, first grade, and middle school teacher, a site administrator for two elementary schools, and volunteers her time in support of community literacy initiatives. She holds a Master of Science, Literacy and Reading, a Certificate in Education Finance, and the following CA credentials: multiple subject, reading specialist, and administrative. She can be reached at www.readingliteracyspecialists.com Tom talks with Ms. Vélez and Ms. Gallardo about the importance of connecting ELD and science instruction; the correlation of oral vocabulary and the ability to read words; and the research and experience supporting active science as one of the best places to develop language skills. They go into depth discussing the relationship between the FOSS Project and Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD): FOSS has existing resources for ELD and ELA instruction and worked with SBUSD to help create lessons and units that aligned with the FOSS curriculum. They talk about looking deeper at why are kids talking?; are they explaining, analyzing, arguing?; how kids learn best while learning in context; the importance of oral learning for all students; and how impactful it is for teachers to see what their students are capable of when given the chance. Ms. Gallardo and Ms. Vélez provide some examples from working with students, and how invigorating it is to see the connections students are able to make. They close the discussion talking about equity in the classroom connected to speaking/reading/listening/writing all in tandem with doing science; how there is variability in the rate of development for all students; focussing on having a shared experience where all students can engage; and the importance of focussing on the the needs of particular students so that you can know what those students need to fully participate and be able to access the curriculum. Producer David Lippman also has a few words about Amy Tan's amazing book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, published by Knopf. It’s Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We’d love to hear from you!

    Look for School Specialty and FOSS on Twitter and Facebook. It’s Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science System (FOSS) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.
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    31 分
  • It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 16: The Science of Reading

    It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 16: The Science of Reading
    2024/09/24
    This month on It's Time for Science, it's time to talk about the science of reading! Host Tom Racine talks with Leslie Lausten, M. Ed and Dr. Jennifer Slavick, Ed. D., authors of the whitepaper FOSS Enhances the Science of Reading Through Knowledge Building. Get the paper here: FOSS Enhances the Science of Reading Through Knowledge Building Leslie Lausten, M.Ed has a rich background in elementary science instruction. She has taught multiple grades, was a literacy coach and science lead teacher for over 30 years. She has an MEd in Science Education (K-8) and a Reading Specialist endorsement. Currently, she is the East Coast FOSS Professional Learning Specialist and enjoys helping teachers implement best practices into their science classrooms through meaningful experiences and literacy integration. Dr. Jennifer Slavick, Ed.D., Director, K-12 Research Partner Engagement and Success at EAB, has a diverse professional background spanning education and educational leadership. Beginning as a high school Biology teacher, she transitioned to roles such as Assistant Director of Science for a K-12 urban charter network and Director of Professional Learning and Implementation Services for a K-8 science program. With a commitment to educational excellence and a passion for fostering a supportive environment for educators, Dr. Slavick's primary focus at EAB is on the building systems that support Science of Reading and Early Literacy initiatives, improving Teacher Morale, and Building a High-Performance District. Dr. Slavick earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Penn State University, a Masters of Education in Multicultural Education from Eastern University, and a Doctorate of Education in Education Administration and Public Policy from West Chester University. Dr. Slavick has won several awards, including the Award for Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year from the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, and the Award for Excellence in Scholarship as well as a Certificate of Excellence from the West Chester University. Tom talks with Ms. Lausten and Dr. Slavick about what exactly the science of reading is; how sections of students' brains have to work together to take text and turn it into knowledge; what Scarborough’s Reading Rope is that they discuss in their paper; the importance of incorporating background knowledge; how much more likely students are to pick up vocabulary in context (including science vocabulary!); how kids can become experts in science vocabulary through relating it to their actual experiences; how sentence frames can help students learn; the critical need for sense-making; and how all the new vocabulary and sense-making work to make text more engaging and accessible. They discuss ELD instruction and how science can work across curricula and help kids feel successful, among many other things! The FOSS Teacher Resource Introductory Videos that Dr. Slavick discusses are available through YouTube via the links below: Teacher Resource Introductory Videos (K-2) Teacher Resource Introductory Videos (3-5) Teacher Resource Introductory Videos (6-8) It’s Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We’d love to hear from you! Get the paper here: FOSS Enhances the Science of Reading Through Knowledge Building Look for School Specialty and FOSS on X and Facebook. It’s Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science System (FOSS) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.
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    29 分
  • It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 15: Implementation Strategies with FOSS®, The Full Option Science System™

    It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 15: Implementation Strategies with FOSS®, The Full Option Science System™
    2024/08/26
    This month on It’s Time for Science, it’s time to talk about Implementation Strategies! Host Tom Racine talks with Nicole Krefting who is the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator for Grand Forks Public Schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Tom and Nicole discuss tips on Implementation strategies and steps needed when implementing a full science curriculum. They discuss the importance of a professional learning plan and creating a true partnership that will allow for successful implementation throughout the entire district. They also talk about the importance of supporting teachers throughout the integration process, and how to bring excitement to the classroom. We cover the advantage of having all the materials you need to teach a unit of science in one convenient kit, how the process of going through the three year evaluation of multiple curriculum options worked and who was involved, and that the most important aspect of all is the professional development that has to happen for all your teachers. Nicole Krefting is the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator for Grand Forks Public Schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota. As an elementary teacher for 30 years and in the education system for 36 years, Krefting has taught at numerous grade levels, working with a variety of students and peers. She left the classroom to become an Instructional Coach, where she was able to support teachers and students in her building in all content areas. Currently, Nicole has the opportunity to work with all teachers district-wide in her role as a curriculum leader. Through her years of classroom experience and district roles, Mrs. Krefting has developed a strong understanding of how important science education is and how it supports all other content areas. She has worked alongside teachers to ensure students have the opportunity to develop strong background knowledge, increase speaking and listening skills, and translate ideas into written word through their science education. Her belief that student inquiry and investigation lead to true understanding of scientific concepts supports her push for robust professional development and collaboration in the districts’ schools. It’s Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We’d love to hear from you! Look for School Specialty and FOSS on X and Facebook. It’s Time for Science is produced by School Specialty® and the Full Option Science System™ (FOSS®) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.
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    28 分
  • It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 14: Back to School Readiness

    It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 14: Back to School Readiness
    2024/07/22
    This month on It's Time for Science, it's time to talk about going back to school! Host Tom Racine talks with Dr. Anne Farley Schoeffler, the president of the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association, and award-winning outside educator Rachel Arbor. Dr. Anne Farley Schoeffler is the currently the president of the National Middle Level Science Teachers Association (NMLSTA), as well as the NMLSTA Awards Committee chair. She is also a member of the Polar Educators International (PEI) council, 2024-25. Dr. Schoeffler is a middle school science teacher near Cleveland, Ohio. She believes that students learn best when they can make connections between what they are learning in school and what they experience around them. She endeavors to show students that science is not just a set of facts but a way of seeking answers to questions and trying to solve problems. She also regards environmental stewardship as one of the great challenges of our times and, therefore, encourages her students to explore and experience the great outdoors and make connections between basic science and the phenomena of the world. She and her husband and three adult children all hike, camp, and share the wonders that the natural world has to offer. https://nmlsta.wildapricot.org/ https://polareducator.org/our-community/council-2023/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/247660677828 Tom and Dr. Schoeffler discuss tips on starting back to school, formulating a plan and organizing all the various pieces you have to deal with when starting back, setting up a science classroom in advance, enhancing communication and visibility in the classroom, keeping the room fresh, starting the school year getting kids excited about science, bringing environmental science into the classroom right away, getting kids outside, and resources for teacher burn out, Rachel Arbor is the award-winning CEO of Gaia Scholastic, the New York State Lead for SubjecttoClimate, and the PK-8 Director of Environmental Education for the Garrison School District. For all of these roles, her mission is to cultivate a generation of environmentally-literate global citizens by integrating nature and environmental concepts into the learning experiences of students of all ages and abilities. She supports educational organizations in weaving interdisciplinary Environmental Education into their work through curated curriculum, Professional Development, and with community events like the PK-12 Youth Climate Summit. Her work challenges students to make connections--with themselves, with each other, and with nature, across content areas. A former outdoor educator, she trains teachers across the country on how to re-shape their curriculum through an environmental lens. Her educational and professional pursuits focus on bridging the gap between Mainstream and Environmental Education. Ms. Arbor's many awards and accolades include: Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (2024); U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Award (2024); NMLSTA Paul DeHart Hurd Award (2024); STANYS Excellence in Science Education Award (2023), and many more! Social: Gaia Scholastic website LinkedIn Tom talks with Ms. Arbor about setting up for a new year, being at least a day ahead of the students, being planned out but flexible; setting up the classroom for YOU as well as the kids, connecting to student’s individual SEL needs, lessons and activities to do right off the bat, connecting to what the kids see in the real world (including pop culture, fashion, etc), tailoring lessons for your local area, interdisciplinary programming, addressing teacher burnout, including Ms. Arbor's own struggle with work/life balance, and the environmental education work Ms. Arbor does with her own company Gaia Scholastic as well as SubjectToClimate, a nonprofit with a mission to make climate change teaching and learning accessible to all. It’s Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We’d love to hear from you! Look for School Specialty and FOSS on X and Facebook. It’s Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science System (FOSS) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.
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    47 分
  • It’s Time for Science Episode 13: Summer Science at Home - Nature Journaling

    It’s Time for Science Episode 13: Summer Science at Home - Nature Journaling
    2024/06/24
    This month on It's Time for Science, it's time to talk about summer science at home and nature journaling! Host Tom Racine talks with John Muir Laws, a principal innovator in the global nature journaling movement, and outside educator Erica Beck Spencer. John Muir Laws is an award-winning naturalist, artist, scientist, educator, and the author and illustrator of several books including The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling, The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds, The Laws Guide to the Sierra Nevada. He is also the co-author of How to Teach Nature Journaling. He is co-founder and president of the Wild Wonder Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging nature connection and conservation through attention, curiosity, art, science, and community. https://johnmuirlaws.com/ https://www.wildwonder.org/ Tom talks with John Muir Laws about what exactly nature journaling is, why you don't need to be an artist to nature journal, and what nature journaling offers all of us and why it is important. Erica Beck Spencer is a curriculum specialist with the Full Option Science System Project (FOSS) and spearheaded the Taking FOSS Outdoors initiative. In addition to her development work, she has collaborated with over 50 districts and tens of thousands of educators on implementing the FOSS program. She has worked with thousands of formal and nonformal teachers about teaching outside. She has served on the board of directors for the Maine Environmental Education Association, Rippleffect, and will be stepping up as the board president for the Maine Math and Science Alliance. Prior to working for FOSS she taught in urban schools in Cambridge, Boston, and Portland, Maine. Tom and Erica discuss Tom's interview with John Muir Laws, how nature journaling might be used with students over the summer, nature journaling's value for students and teachers, and Erica's experiences with nature journaling as an educator and personally. Erica also offers some resources to help folks get started and keep going with nature journaling: •Quick start guide to Nature Journaling: Digital Download: https://www.wildwonder.org/store/p/nj-zine • Wild Wonder Resources: https://www.wildwonder.org/nature-journaling-resources • The Nature Journal Connection video series: https://johnmuirlaws.com/the-nature-journal-connection/ • Taking FOSS Outdoors chapter and other resources: https://help.thinklinkhq.com/s/article/Taking-FOSS-Outdoors It’s Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We’d love to hear from you! Look for School Specialty and FOSS on X and Facebook. It’s Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science System (FOSS) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.
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    51 分
  • It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 12: Student Engagement with Hands-On Science

    It’s Time for Science Podcast Episode 12: Student Engagement with Hands-On Science
    2024/05/24
    This month on It's Time for Science, we talk with a very special guest about student engagement. Host Tom Racine talks with award winning science communicator, the Hip Hop M.D., Maynard Okereke! Maynard Okereke, better known as the Hip Hop M.D., graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Civil Engineering. He is an award winning Science Communicator, having received both the Asteroid Award for "Best Streaming Content" and the People of Change Award for his community outreach efforts. His passion for science and entertainment, along with his curiosity for new innovation has taken him through an incredible life journey.

    Noticing a lack of minority involvement in the S.T.E.M. fields, he created Hip Hop Science with the goal of encouraging minorities and youth to pursue more advanced career paths. His background in engineering, acting, music, business, and credible work in STEM make him uniquely qualified to engage on a wide variety of topics from an entertaining perspective. This is highly reflected in his speaking engagements and daily social media posts which provide both humorous and informative SciComm content. #HipHopScience
    https://www.hiphopscienceshow.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hiphopscienceshow/ https://www.facebook.com/HipHopScienceShow Tom talks with Maynard about the importance of staying curious, keeping our students and ourselves engaged, why you don't need to be an expert to teach science, embracing changing perspectives as a part of science, why representation matters for EVERYONE, and the most surprising thing he's learned from doing an investigation. It’s Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We’d love to hear from you! This month's Insights article: Engaging Students as Active Science Learners with FOSS
    Look for School Specialty and FOSS on X and Facebook. It’s Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science System (FOSS) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.
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    37 分
  • It’s Time for Science Episode 11: Social and Emotional Learning

    It’s Time for Science Episode 11: Social and Emotional Learning
    2024/04/23
    This month on It's Time for Science, it's time to talk about social and emotional learning (SEL)! Host Tom Racine talks with Dr. Kenneth Wesson, a consultant on the science of education, learning, and the brain, and Ilyse Opas, Independent Educational Consultant specializing in SEL. Kenneth Wesson is a former higher education faculty member and administrator. He delivers keynote addresses on the neuroscience of learning for educational organizations and institutions throughout the United States and overseas. His audiences range from early childhood specialists to university-level educators. seven continents. His research is frequently published and referenced in Parents Magazine, HealthNet, and the journal Brain World. He is also a contributing author with Frog Street Press, the ECE publisher. Dr. Wesson regularly addresses educational organizations, counseling associations, school districts and parenting organizations on the subject of “brain-considerate” learning environments. In addition to his speeches on the neuroscience of learning, Dr. Wesson speaks on the subjects of early brain development, design and engineering, STEM and STREAM, social-emotional learning, and curriculum development. Dr. Wesson also serves on the advisory boards for the Korean Institute of Brain Science, Kids at Science, and the International Association of STEM Leaders. He is an active member of Scientists without Borders and he can be seen on PBS specials on human learning and the teenage mind. You can read and download Dr. Wesson's amazing paper on SEL which is filled with dozens of references and links to help you explore by clicking here.
    Tom talks with Dr. Wesson about what SEL is and isn't, the need to make space for SEL in science classrooms and integrate it into instruction, the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on students' SEL, and how the pandemic so greatly reinforced the need to create safe spaces and environments for kids to learn. As an independent educational consultant, Ilyse Opas is passionate about examining and strengthening the relationships between literacy, equity, and SEL. She believes that supporting teacher wellness is the first step in creating safe and successful classrooms for all and co-created KindMind, an online SEL support group for educators, in 2020. Ilyse spent almost two decades in the public school system as an educator, intervention instructor/coordinator, and instructional coach before founding IRO Educational Consulting, an independent consultancy based in SEL, mindfulness, and restorative justice. She also serves as a Professional Learning Lead for Collaborative Classroom, facilitating training for their SEL and Collaborative Literacy programs. Ilyse received her Master of Arts in Elementary Education and teaching certification from Mills College and her 200-hour yoga/SEL certification through Breathe for Change, an organization dedicated to bringing yoga and mindfulness to educators throughout the world. Tom and Ms. Opas discuss how SEL can help students and educators know themselves better and have more access to interior emotional states, how making space for SEL in classrooms can have help students with interpersonal skills and academics, some of the programs that help introduce SEL at a school or district level, and some of the things that educators can consider to take better care of themselves. It’s Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We’d love to hear from you! Look for School Specialty and FOSS on X and Facebook. It’s Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science System (FOSS) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.
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    38 分