Season 3, Episode 1

Science as the underdog, and the research behind it.

In our first episode, we unpack the research around our season theme of science as the underdog, with Horizon Research, Inc. Vice President Eric R. Banilower and Senior Researcher Courtney Plumley. Eric and Courtney dive into the research they’ve found and their experiences as former educators to show how science is often overlooked in K–12 classrooms. We discuss how the science classroom compares to other subjects in terms of time and resources, how schools are a reflection of society, and what’s needed to change science and its impact on a larger scale.

Split image of a smiling man with glasses and a woman with wavy hair, both framed in circles with a playful background of colourful science classroom symbols.

Meet Our Guest(s):

Eric R. Banilower and Courtney Plumley

Eric R. Banilower and Courtney Plumley

Eric R. Banilower is a Vice President at Horizon Research, Inc. (HRI), and has worked in education for over 30 years. Eric was previously a high school physics and physical science teacher before he joined HRI in 1997, where he has worked on a number of research and evaluation projects. Most recently, he has been the Principal Investigator of the 2012 and 2018 iterations of the National Survey of Science and Mathematics Education, a nationally representative survey focusing on the status of the K–12 STEM education system.

Courtney Plumley is a Senior Researcher at Horizon Research, Inc. She began her career in education as an elementary school teacher before starting at HRI in 2009. In her time at HRI she has worked on many K-12 STEM research and evaluation projects. Most recently, Ms. Plumley has worked with Carnegie Corporation of New York on mapping the landscape of K-12 science education in the US and is managing the field test for the OpenSciEd elementary materials.

Meet our host: Eric Cross

Eric Cross is a seventh grade science/technology teacher, grade level lead, and digital learning innovator for Albert Einstein Academies, International Baccalaureate schools. He is also an adjunct professor of learning and technology at the University of San Diego and a Google certified innovator. Eric earned a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Education from the University of San Diego. He had 17 years of experience working with at-risk youth and underserved populations before becoming a middle school teacher. By building relationships with students, colleagues, and the community, he has become an empowered leader in and out of the classroom. Through meaningful learning experiences centered around student agency, STEM has become accessible to students through highly engaging lesson design, thoughtful integration of digital tools, and pedagogy that engages students from all backgrounds.

Transcripts and additional resources:

Get your free SC study guide for this episode
Join the conversation in the Science Connections Facebook community
Transcripts

Quotes

Our data is showing us places where the system needs to provide teachers and their students the opportunities to do great things.

—Eric R. Banilower

Season 3, Episode 2

How science strengthens literacy and language development

In our second episode of the season, we continue finding ways in which science is overlooked and how it can be better utilized in schools—and as an ally to other subjects!

We sat down with Susan Gomez Zwiep, former middle school science teacher and senior science educator and staff advocate at BSCS Science Learning. She shared past experiences and research that shows the benefits of integrating science and literacy, as well as strategies for applying these ideas in the classroom.

 

A smiling woman with short brown hair, wearing a jacket and patterned scarf, integrates science and literacy by reading a book on botany against a blurred natural background in a circular frame adorned with colorful symbols

Meet Our Guest(s):

Susan Gomez Zwiep

Susan Gomez Zwiep

Susan Gomez Zwiep began her career in science education as a middle school science teacher in Los Angeles where she spent over 12 years working in urban schools. Prior to joining BSCS, Susan worked at California State University, Long Beach as a Professor of Science Education.

Susan has also worked as a Regional Director for the K-12 Alliance, providing high-quality professional development in science and mathematics for K12 educators, including the CA NGSS Early Implementer Initiative.

Meet our host: Eric Cross

Eric Cross is a seventh grade science/technology teacher, grade level lead, and digital learning innovator for Albert Einstein Academies, International Baccalaureate schools. He is also an adjunct professor of learning and technology at the University of San Diego and a Google certified innovator. Eric earned a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Education from the University of San Diego. He had 17 years of experience working with at-risk youth and underserved populations before becoming a middle school teacher. By building relationships with students, colleagues, and the community, he has become an empowered leader in and out of the classroom. Through meaningful learning experiences centered around student agency, STEM has become accessible to students through highly engaging lesson design, thoughtful integration of digital tools, and culturally relevant pedagogy.

Transcripts and additional resources:

Get your free SC study guide for this episode
Join the conversation in the Science Connections Facebook community
Transcript

Quotes

When we used science as a context for language development, kids were talking more, kids were writing more, kids were engaged.

– Dr. Susan Gomez Zwiep

Season 3, Episode 3

Instructional strategies for integrating science and literacy

We’re continuing our investigations around science and literacy, with Doug Fisher, Ph.D., professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University. We talk about the importance of integrating science and literacy, as well as practical guidance for teachers who want to unite the two disciplines in their own classrooms.

Listen as we discuss how science and literacy can be powerful allies and talk about specific strategy areas to focus on when integrating the two disciplines. And don’t forget to grab your Science Connections study guide to track your learning and find additional resources!

 

A middle-aged man with short brown hair and glasses, smiling in a professional portrait, surrounded by a circular frame with a colorful pattern of integrating science & literacy.

Meet Our Guest(s):

Dr. Douglas Fisher

Dr. Douglas Fisher

Douglas Fisher, Ph.D., is professor and chair of Educational Leadership at San Diego State University and a leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College having been an early intervention teacher and elementary school educator. He is the recipient of an International Reading Association William S. Grey citation of merit, an Exemplary Leader award from the Conference on English Leadership of NCTE, as well as a Christa McAuliffe award for excellence in teacher education. He has published numerous articles on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction, and curriculum design as well as books.

Meet our host: Eric Cross

Eric Cross is a seventh grade science/technology teacher, grade level lead, and digital learning innovator for Albert Einstein Academies, International Baccalaureate schools. He is also an adjunct professor of learning and technology at the University of San Diego and a Google certified innovator. Eric earned a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Education from the University of San Diego. He had 17 years of experience working with at-risk youth and underserved populations before becoming a middle school teacher. By building relationships with students, colleagues, and the community, he has become an empowered leader in and out of the classroom. Through meaningful learning experiences centered around student agency, STEM has become accessible to students through highly engaging lesson design, thoughtful integration of digital tools, and culturally relevant pedagogy.

Transcripts and additional resources:

Get your free SC study guide for this episode
Join the conversation in the Science Connections Facebook community
Transcript

Quotes

There are really cool opportunities when teachers come together and realize we can work together to improve the literacy and learning of all our students.

– Dr. Doug Fisher

Season 3, Episode 4

Using AI and ChatGPT in the science classroom

In the latest episode of the Science Connections podcast, we explore AI in education and its impact on students. Listen as I sit down with teachers Donnie Piercey and Jennifer Roberts to discuss ChatGPT and how we can use it to build science and literacy skills in K–12 classrooms while preparing students for the real world.

And don’t forget to grab your Science Connections study guide to track your learning and find additional resources!

 

Two circular portraits on a patterned background featuring symbols, showcasing a smiling woman with blond hair and a smiling man with brown hair wearing a red shirt, suitable for using AI in the classroom.

Meet Our Guest(s):

Donnie Piercey and Jennifer Roberts

Donnie Piercey and Jennifer Roberts

Jen Roberts is a Nationally Board Certified high school English teacher with more than 25 years of experience teaching social science and English Language Arts in grades 7-12. She has had 1:1 laptops for her students since 2008 and is the co-author of Power Up: Making the Shift to 1:1 Teaching and Learning. A Google for Education Certified Innovator since 2011, Jen was named the CUE Outstanding Educator in 2022. Her interests include literacy instruction, standards based grading, and leveraging Google tools to make her teaching more efficient and effective.

Donnie Piercey, the 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, is a fifth-grade teacher in Lexington, Kentucky.  With a passion for utilizing technology to promote student inquiry, learning, and engagement, he has been teaching since 2007. In addition to being in the classroom, he runs a podcast, Teachers Passing Notes that is produced by the Peabody Award winning GZMShows, and holds several recognitions, including a National Geographic Fellowship to Antarctica in 2018. His most recent work in Artificial Intelligence has not gone unnoticed, earning him multiple appearances on Good Morning America, the Associated Press, and PBS. His upcoming book, “50 Strategies for Integrating AI in the Classroom” published by Teacher Created Materials, is written for educators looking for practical classroom approaches to using AI. All told, Donnie has been invited to keynote and present at schools in thirty-three states and on five continents.

Meet our host: Eric Cross

Eric Cross is a seventh grade science/technology teacher, grade level lead, and digital learning innovator for Albert Einstein Academies, International Baccalaureate schools. He is also an adjunct professor of learning and technology at the University of San Diego and a Google certified innovator. Eric earned a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Education from the University of San Diego. He had 17 years of experience working with at-risk youth and underserved populations before becoming a middle school teacher. By building relationships with students, colleagues, and the community, he has become an empowered leader in and out of the classroom. Through meaningful learning experiences centered around student agency, STEM has become accessible to students through highly engaging lesson design, thoughtful integration of digital tools, and pedagogy that engages students from all backgrounds.

Transcripts and additional resources:

Get your free SC study guide for this episode
Join the conversation in the Science Connections Facebook community
Transcript

Quotes

If I’m not teaching my students how to use this, then they’re not going to turn into the adults we need them to be… If we’re not at least trying to think about what our future world is going to look like, then we’re not serving our students well.

-Jennifer Roberts

Season 3, Episode 5

Thinking is power

Join us as we sit down with Melanie Trecek-King, biology professor and creator of Thinking is Power, to explore how much of an asset science can truly be in developing the skills students need to navigate the real world. You’ll learn about “fooling” students and the importance of developing critical thinking, information literacy, and science literacy in the classroom. We’ll also share real strategies and lesson examples that help build these essential skills and engage students in learning.

And don’t forget to grab your Science Connections study guide to track your learning and find additional resources!

 

Portrait of a smiling middle-aged woman with long blonde hair, wearing a black top, surrounded by a frame with colorful star and science connections icons.

Meet Our Guest(s):

Melanie Trecek-King

Melanie Trecek-King

Melanie Trecek-King is the creator of Thinking is Power, an online resource that provides critical thinking education to the general public. She is currently an associate professor of biology at Massasoit Community College, where she teaches a general-education science course designed to equip students with empowering critical thinking, information literacy, and science literacy skills. An active speaker and consultant, Trecek-King loves to share her “teach skills, not facts” approach with other science educators, and help schools and organizations meet their goals through better thinking. Trecek-King is also the education director for the Mental Immunity Project and CIRCE (Cognitive Immunology Research Collaborative), which aim to advance and apply the science of mental immunity to inoculate minds against misinformation.

Meet our host: Eric Cross

Eric Cross is a seventh grade science/technology teacher, grade level lead, and digital learning innovator for Albert Einstein Academies, International Baccalaureate schools. He is also an adjunct professor of learning and technology at the University of San Diego and a Google certified innovator. Eric earned a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Education from the University of San Diego. He had 17 years of experience working with at-risk youth and underserved populations before becoming a middle school teacher. By building relationships with students, colleagues, and the community, he has become an empowered leader in and out of the classroom. Through meaningful learning experiences centered around student agency, STEM has become accessible to students through highly engaging lesson design, thoughtful integration of digital tools, and pedagogy that engages students from all backgrounds.

Transcripts and additional resources:

Get your free SC study guide for this episode
Join the conversation in the Science Connections Facebook community
Transcript

Quotes

Students carry in their pocket access to basically all of humanity’s knowledge at this moment in time. The question is: do they know what they’re looking for?

– Melanie Trecek-King

Season 3, Episode 6

Identifying and addressing pseudoscience

Join us as we continue our discussion on the importance of integrating critical thinking into the science classroom with former teacher and current director of education at the Center for Inquiry, Bertha Vazquez. Listen as Bertha shares her experience with engaging students through identifying pseudoscience, and how developing these skills creates an identifiable impact on the real world.

And don’t forget to grab your Science Connections study guide to track your learning and find additional resources!

A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a headset microphone, smiles while speaking in a science classroom, framed by a circular border with colorful doodle icons.

Meet Our Guest(s):

Bertha Vazquez

Bertha Vazquez

Bertha Vazquez recently retired from teaching middle school science in Miami-Dade County Public Schools after 33 years in the classroom. She is the education director of The Center for Inquiry which currently includes three projects, The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES), ScienceSaves, and Generation Skeptics.

A seasoned traveler who has visited all seven continents, she enjoys introducing the world of nature and science to young, eager minds. An educator with National Board Certification, she is the recipient of several national and local honors, including the 2014 Samsung’s $150,000 Solve For Tomorrow Contest and the $5,000 Charles C. Bartlett National Excellence in Environmental Award in 2009. She was Miami-Dade Science Teacher of the Year in 1997, 2008, and 2017. Thanks to the success of TIES, Bertha was the recipient of the 2017 winner of the National Association of Biology Teachers Evolution Education Award.

 

Meet our host: Eric Cross

Eric Cross is a seventh grade science/technology teacher, grade level lead, and digital learning innovator for Albert Einstein Academies, International Baccalaureate schools. He is also an adjunct professor of learning and technology at the University of San Diego and a Google certified innovator. Eric earned a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Education from the University of San Diego. He had 17 years of experience working with at-risk youth and underserved populations before becoming a middle school teacher. By building relationships with students, colleagues, and the community, he has become an empowered leader in and out of the classroom. Through meaningful learning experiences centered around student agency, STEM has become accessible to students through highly engaging lesson design, thoughtful integration of digital tools, and pedagogy that engages students from all backgrounds.

Transcripts and additional resources:

Check out Generation Skeptics to access some of the resources Bertha shared.
Learn more about combatting pseudoscience at Science Saves.
Find out more about the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science.
Transcript

Quotes

"We teach these skills in a science class, but hopefully they use those skills when they encounter pseudoscience. So definitely, what we do on a day-to-day basis is really important for society."

—Bertha Vazquez

Season 3, Episode 7

Telling the story of science

Join us for a new episode with doctoral student and 2023 NSTA keynote speaker, Minerva Contreras. Listen as Minerva tells her science story, discusses the benefits of storytelling in science, and shares how diverse representation and inclusion in science opens doors for all students.

And don’t forget to grab your Science Connections study guide to track your learning and find additional resources!

Portrait of a smiling woman with dark hair, wearing a black turtleneck, framed by a circular border with colorful doodle icons representing diversity in science.

Meet Our Guest(s):

Minerva Contreras

Minerva Contreras

Minerva Contreras, better known as Mini Contreras, is a fifth-year PhD student at University of California San Diego Neurosciences Graduate Program, with thesis advisor Dr. Nicola Allen, at the Salk Institute. Mini’s research focuses on investigating the cellular mechanisms that allow our brain to change in response to experience. Mini is a National Academies of Science Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) Pre-doctoral Ford Fellow, a San Diego ARCS Scholar, and a Society for Neuroscience (SfN) NSP Fellow.
Mini received her bachelor of science degree in biotechnology engineering at Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro, Mexico, and her continuing master of science degree in neuroscience at UCSD. She co-created and directs the Colors of the Brain-KIBM Undergrad Scholars Program, assists in teaching for UCSD’s BP-ENDURE STARTneuro, and is the host of Crash Course Biologia. Outside of lab, Minerva loves going on road trips with her wife and two dogs, Glia and Loki, she named the former.

Meet our host: Eric Cross

Eric Cross is a seventh grade science/technology teacher, grade level lead, and digital learning innovator for Albert Einstein Academies, International Baccalaureate schools. He is also an adjunct professor of learning and technology at the University of San Diego and a Google certified innovator. Eric earned a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Education from the University of San Diego. He had 17 years of experience working with at-risk youth and underserved populations before becoming a middle school teacher. By building relationships with students, colleagues, and the community, he has become an empowered leader in and out of the classroom. Through meaningful learning experiences centered around student agency, STEM has become accessible to students through highly engaging lesson design, thoughtful integration of digital tools, and culturally relevant pedagogy.

Transcripts and additional resources:

Watch the latest episode of Crash Course en Español, Biología.
Check out the posters Eric’s students made that highlight Minerva.
Hear more of Minerva’s story by tuning into her episode on Story Collider.
Keep up to date with Minerva by following her on Instagram.
Follow Minerva on Twitter to hear more about her science journey.
Catch Minerva in person at the 2023 NSTA National Conference.
Transcript

Quotes

I do feel very much responsible to exist in this space, staying true to myself and just continue making this space more accessible for people like me.

—Minerva Contreras

Season 3, Episode 8

Making science a superhero

Tune in to the finale of Science Connections with elementary educator and recipient of the 2023 Anton Banko Award for Excellence in Teaching Elementary Science, Kate Bala. In this episode, Kate shares teaching tips on how she seamlessly integrates science with other content areas to give students an engaging, phenomena-based learning experience. Listen to hear about Kate’s unique teaching style and the helpful tips she offers to make science the superhero of any classroom.

Portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a blue top and polka dot earrings, framed by a circle with a playful, science-themed border.

Meet Our Guest(s):

Kate Bala

Kate Bala

Meet Kate Bala, an elementary teacher with a dynamic spirit and a fervent dedication to cultivating curiosity in young minds. With a versatile background in teaching various grade levels from preK to 3rd grade in the early primary years, Kate is a beacon of enthusiasm in the field of education. She goes beyond the classroom, actively contributing to professional development by guiding teachers on implementing the New York State Science Learning standards based on the Next Gen standards. Kate Bala is a passionate advocate for three-dimensional, phenomena-based learning, and she believes in making science education an inclusive and inviting experience for all—she wants everyone to know they are invited to the science party! Her main objective is clear: cultivating curiosity one mind at a time, whether young or seasoned. Kate’s commitment and innovation have earned her the prestigious 2023 Anton Banko Excellence in Elementary Science Teaching award. As a member of the New York State Curriculum Development Network Team for Science (SCDN), she works towards breaking down silos and supporting teachers in seamlessly integrating science into their curriculum, ensuring that the spirit of curiosity thrives in every classroom.

Meet our host: Eric Cross

Eric Cross is a seventh grade science/technology teacher, grade level lead, and digital learning innovator for Albert Einstein Academies, International Baccalaureate schools. He is also an adjunct professor of learning and technology at the University of San Diego and a Google certified innovator. Eric earned a bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Education from the University of San Diego. He had 17 years of experience working with at-risk youth and underserved populations before becoming a middle school teacher. By building relationships with students, colleagues, and the community, he has become an empowered leader in and out of the classroom. Through meaningful learning experiences centered around student agency, STEM has become accessible to students through highly engaging lesson design, thoughtful integration of digital tools, and pedagogy that engages students from all backgrounds.

Transcripts and additional resources:

Check out The Wonder of Science for a list of phenomena for each NGSS grade band!
Read the book Kate used to start integrating literacy into her science lessons: Sharing Books, Talking Science.
Transcript

Quotes

“I think being a scientist doesn't have to be a literal meaning. You don't have to be in a lab and testing things, because I tell my students that they’re scientists. So to me, science is everywhere. Science is how the world works around us.”

—Kate Bala, Grade 2 teacher and recipient of the 2023 Anton Banko Award for Excellence in Teaching Elementary Science