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Teaching Science In 3D"Start Small" Series: Deepen Learning By Reducing TasksIn the third episode of this "Start Small" series, Nicole shares some ways we can deepen learning by replacing *quantity* with *quality* in our science classrooms. More isn't always better, and while it can sometimes feel counterintuitive, cutting back on the amount of work we assign can open the gateway for richer discussions, natural differentiation as opportunities to extend and reteach emerge, and better student learning. Let's invite our students to move away from the "I just need to get it done" mentality to focus on the actual content and skills they are learning!2025-07-2814 minTeaching Science In 3D"Start Small" Series: Quick Strategies To Get Your Students *Thinking*In the second episode of this "Start Small" series, Nicole shares a few strategies to create a better THINKING science classroom -- you know, the kind where students actually NOTICE that the bird isn't giving its energy to the worm or that it just doesn't make sense for a pencil to measure 8 meters! More Resources: Why You Need Vertical Whiteboards In Thinking ClassroomsBuilding Thinking Classrooms For Mathematics (Don't let the math scare you away! There really are some great ideas that can be applied to science classrooms, too!)Teaching Science in 3D...2025-07-2116 minTeaching Science In 3D"Start Small" Series: Building Simple Routines With 3D PracticesIn 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 LinksiExploreScience Blog: Classroom Procedures (Science Starter)iExploreScience: Notice & Wonder Curiosity Kickstarter (Winter Theme)iExploreScience Notice...2025-07-1429 minTeaching Science In 3D5 Things We Want Teachers to Know About ADHDBoth Nicole and Erin are parents of children with ADHD. Erin was recently diagnosed as having ADHD herself. In this episode, they share the things they've learned in the last year that they wish they would have known. More Resources: 122 Rethinking That Class: What to Do When Classes Feel like a Challenge 111 Rethinking Your Classroom Management Plan101- The Brain Science Behind Your Students' (Missing) EngagementSupport the showYou're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to tran...2025-06-3042 minTeaching Science In 3DWhere have we been for the last two years?!?It's been two and a half years since we recorded our last episode. So, where have we been!?!In this episode we talk about: What we've been up toBig changes and life updates What this season will entail. Support the showConnect With Erin Sadler & Nicole VanTasselInstagram: @SadlerScience // @iExploreScienceWebsite: Sadler Science // iExploreScienceYou'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 al...2025-06-3029 minTeaching Science In 3D129 Three Commitments I Made (And Mostly Kept) This FallIn this episode, Nicole shared three commitments she made in her classroom as she transitioned back into the classroom this fall -- as well as strategies that she utilized to keep those commitments. "I’m not working [much] outside contract hours.""I’m not rushing through my curriculum to get it covered.""I’m not relying on grades as motivation."She also shared a life update as she takes on a new role in her school and what's ahead for Erin, Nicole, and the Teaching Science In 3D Podcast in 2023.More Resources: Amplify A...2022-12-1939 minTeaching Science In 3D128 It's A Tool, Not A FixIn this episode, Nicole shares an aha moment she recently experienced as she was prompted to reflect on her thinking about the strategies and approaches she utilizes in her classroom. So often we seek out the "one right way" to do something, hoping it to be a "fix" for whatever challenge we are experiencing in the classroom. But the reality is, all of our strategies, approaches, materials, tricks... they're all just *tools* -- not fixes. Explore this idea more in this thought-provoking episode.More Resources: Teaching Science in 3D on Instagram & FacebookAre y...2022-12-1216 minTeaching Science In 3D127 Establishing An Anchor Phenomenon RoutineThe anchor phenomenon routine plays an important role in science classes as students develop their abilities to figure out the questions they need to answer to meet their learning goals. In a perfect world, students work through an anchor experience, ask exactly the right questions, and all together identify and decide the most important question to investigate first... but we know these things don’t always (ever?) happen. So how can we get our students where they need to be? An anchor phenomenon routine builds student skills while navigating the learning forward. In this episode, Nicole shares her process to...2022-12-0531 minTeaching Science In 3D126 From Whole Group To Small Group LearningIn this episode, Nicole (iExploreScience) shares a few ideas for moving from whole-group instruction to stations-style, small-group learning. Small group activities create the opportunity to work with students individually, scaffolding and extending learning as needed. Because you can interact on a more personal level, it's a great way to meet students' needs academically while also strengthening student-teacher relationships. Moreover, small group learning keeps all students actively engaged (versus more passive whole-group approaches), reduces "chatter challenges," and as Nicole explains, just makes teaching-life so much easier in the process. This episode introduces several types of activities that work well with...2022-11-2833 minTeaching Science In 3D125 A Bell Ringer Approach To Start Class SmoothlyWhat is your start-of-class routine? Is it working? In this episode, Nicole shares her bell-ringer routine -- a transition time that can make-or-break a smooth class experience. She digs into the actual structure of her routine, how she holds students accountable for the tasks, and how she integrates curiosity-building, student-empowering, three-dimensional activities into those first few minutes of class.More Resources: 109 Improving Your Classroom Culture After a Break111 Rethink Your Classroom Management Plan NowBuilding Classroom Culture With Respect Agreements (iExploreScience)Strategies To Build Trust And Classroom Community (iExploreScience)Classroom Management: Procedures = Prevention (iE...2022-11-2119 minTeaching Science In 3D123 Teaching Text Annotations - Your New Favorite Literacy StrategyIn this episode, Nicole shares how she teaches students to annotate texts, a strategy they can pair with any reading task in the science classroom. Text annotations increase student engagement and comprehension when working with science texts, and they provide the educator a better peek into student understanding of text-based tasks. Plus, text annotations make for a simple, low-prep substitute plan. But of course, you have to teach students the art of annotating texts, and in this episode, you'll get Nicole's step-by-step strategy to build student competence in this life-long learning skill.More Resources: 2022-11-0726 minTeaching Science In 3D122 Rethinking THAT Class - What To Do When Classes Feel Like A ChallengeIn 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 Newsletter91 The Importance of Building Relationships in the Science ClassroomS1 E13: How to Use Relationships to Support the N...2022-10-3136 minTeaching Science In 3D121 Establishing A Positive Classroom Culture With Respect AgreementsIn this episode, Nicole (iExploreScience) shares how she has used respect agreements to establish a positive classroom culture and prevent (and address) behavior challenges within her classroom.What are respect agreements? In short, respect agreements are an effective classroom management strategy that create a stronger community culture than top-down rules and consequences. Through the agreement development process, all students are given a voice in the establishment of our classroom norms and are therefore held more easily accountable to adhering to them.More Resources: Amplify Authentic Engagement (iExploreScience Short-Course)91 The Importance of Building R...2022-10-0325 minTeaching Science In 3D119 The Best Strategies For Teaching Science VocabWay back in episode 19, Nicole discussed why you shouldn't front-load science vocabulary. This is one of our most popular episodes. So, we decided to bring you more practical strategies and activities for teaching Science Vocabulary. If you haven't already, check out episode 19 first. 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 learn...2022-08-2234 minTeaching Science In 3D118 Bringing Nature Journals Into Your 3D TeachingIn this episode, Nicole VanTassel of iExploreScience interviews Sarah Suloff, a life science/biology teacher with a passion for and expertise in using nature journaling in the classroom. She shares why you may want to consider bringing nature journaling into your classes, her experience doing so, and some practical tips and tricks to get started.If you would like to follow up with Sarah, you can find her at https://www.instagram.com/sarah.lynn.science/ --- and please share your experiences with nature journaling with us, whether you're a veteran or just giving it a go! 2022-08-1546 minTeaching Science In 3D114 What To Do When Your Science Curriculum Isn't Built for 3DYour district adopted a science curriculum. You hoped it would be well aligned with the NGSS. But, after reviewing it, you realized it wasn't built for 3D learning. You aren't alone. This week we answer this question from Kim in California. The name of the publisher she mention has been removed because we believe the problems she is discussing are not unique to this particular publisher. Kim says "I am a 7th and 8th-grade science teacher. Our district adopted [an integrated curriculum]. As a team, we don't love the program. The spiral organization doesn't really ma...2022-07-1826 minTeaching Science In 3D113 Incorporating Student-Centered Science StationsWhile traditional classrooms put teachers as tellers front and center, transitioning to the Next Generation Science Standards and a more student-driven approach to science instruction understandably moves the work of students to the main stage. Incorporating science stations is one way to create a classroom that values and emphasizes active learning, shifts ownership and responsibility for student work where it belongs (to your students!), and creates an environment where teachers can more easily meet the needs of individual students and small groups.In this episode, Nicole VanTassel of iExploreScience shares how she sets up science stations to...2022-07-1132 minTeaching Science In 3D112 What's The Difference Between Evidence And Reasoning?The CER is a framework that was created to help students with the practice of engaging in an argument using evidence. It helps them understand the difference between parts of an argument. However, it is often confusing for them to distinguish between evidence and reasoning. We received this question from Ben in Michigan. "The difference between evidence and reasoning gets very blurry. I don't understand the difference." Don't worry Ben! We are here to help. In this episode, Erin explains the difference and gives you tips for using the CER Framework in...2022-07-0420 minTeaching Science In 3D111 Rethinking Your Classroom Management PlanMost often, we think of the back-to-school time as the best time to rethink your classroom management plan. However, it's never a bad time to rethink your strategy in the classroom. Arguably, this school year was the most difficult one for teachers. If you struggled with classroom management, you weren't alone. In this episode, we discuss what traditional strategies to keep. Then, we let you know which strategies are better left in the past. To read the full episode recap, click here.Other Episodes to Listen toResetting Your Classroom Culture After A...2022-06-2635 minTeaching Science In 3D110 How to Start Teaching Science in 3D - 2 Simple StrategiesTeaching science in a three-dimensional learning environment often feels overwhelming. Many teachers ask us where to start. Here's our answer: It depends.Each teaching situation is unique. There are differences in time constraints, demographics, resources and so much more. Therefore, your strategy for approaching 3D teaching and learning also needs to be unique. In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss two main strategies for getting started. And, they list several episodes that you can listen to once you've decided which approach to use. To get a full list of episodes that accompany this episode, check out...2022-06-2032 minTeaching Science In 3D109 Resetting Your Classroom Culture After BreakIn this episode, Nicole and Erin help you craft a game plan for returning after a break -- from actually taking a rest to making the transition back to teaching in a way that sets you and your students up for success.More Resources: Grab Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Plan TemplateTeaching Science in 3D on Instagram & FacebookSubmit a QuestionExplore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.You're invited to check out Bring Wonder Back, an on-demand video series designed to help you take your first steps to t...2021-12-2021 minTeaching Science In 3D108 How Your Students CAN Do This!What do you do when you feel like your students can't do something? In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss steps that you can take to move your students forward when they are struggling. More Resources: Grab Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Plan TemplateTeaching Science in 3D on Instagram & FacebookSubmit a QuestionExplore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.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 pra...2021-12-1319 minTeaching Science In 3D107 Helping Your Students Engage In Authentic LearningAuthentic learning requires our students to step up and truly engage, truly join the process. But in truth, that's easier said than done... for our students. Learning is scary! It makes us vulnerable. There is a real risk of failure, of embarrassment, of challenging the good things we think about ourselves and reinforcing the bad things. So how can we support our students in taking this leap? How can we scaffold exploration and discovery? In this solo episode, Nicole shares a few ways you can support students as they embark on their authentic learning journey.Referenced...2021-12-0619 minTeaching Science In 3D105 Are There Fewer Labs With NGSS?In this episode, Nicole and Erin answer the listener question, "Are there fewer labs with the NGSS?" Like many things with the NGSS, there isn't a simple answer. Get their take on NGSS and lab activities. More Resources: Grab Erin's FREE 3D Lesson Plan TemplateTeaching Science in 3D on Instagram & FacebookSubmit a QuestionExplore phenomenon-based, discovery-centered learning with iExploreScience.Get on the waitlist for the Spark Subscription.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 tea...2021-11-2214 minTeaching Science In 3D104 What To Do With A Chatty ClassIf you are a teacher, chances are you've been overwhelmed by students talking at least once in your career. And, we have all had those classes that are SUPER chatty. It feels like you can't get a word in edgewise. So, what do you do about it? In this episode, Nicole and Erin discuss what to do when your students never seem to stop talking. They explore common assumptions around student talk. Then, they provide strategies to help you deal with your chatty class. Other Episodes to Check OutHow to teach for student di...2021-11-1535 minTeaching Science In 3D102 Create "Common Language" And Improve Communication In Your Science ClassIn any community, communication is key. Your classroom is a community, and establishing effective communication practices is vital to success and "smooth sailing." But communication is HARD. Whether it's expressing directions or expectations, or digging deep into feelings and advocating our needs -- communication is not easy. In this podcast, Nicole shares the 5 Point Scale strategy you can use to improve communication in your science class -- both from teacher-to-student and from student-to-teacher (and for student-to-student!). The 5 Point Scale can also help build self-awareness and provides opportunities for students to practice metacognition when applied to their own learning.2021-11-0116 minTeaching Science In 3D100 What We've Learned About 3D TeachingNicole and Erin have learned so much in the last 100 episodes! In this episode, they recount what they have learned about 3D teaching in the last 100 episodes. They talk about where they are now and how it is different from where they started. They discuss their wins as well as their challenges and mistakes. 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...2021-10-1821 minTeaching Science In 3D96 How To Start Your Phenomenon-Based Science UnitWhat Should We Do (And Not Do) When Beginning A Unit? In this recording from a pop-up training the Spark Student Driven Science Learning Facebook group, Nicole shares three things she keeps in mind when beginning a phenomenon-based unit.Related Episodes:Episode 17: Using Student Questions to Build StorylinesEpisode 87: How to Choose Better Phenomena Episode 94: What To Do With Student QuestionsOther Resources:YouTube - Why Your Students Won't Ask Questions - By Nicole VanTasselBlog Post - Using Student Questions in Your NGSS Storyline - By Erin Sadler Teaching Scie...2021-09-2026 minTeaching Science In 3D94 What To Do With Student Questions in ScienceAsking questions is one of the Science and Engineering Practices. But what is the significance of the practice? What do you do with those questions? Find out in this episode. Read the full episode recap here. Related Episodes:Episode 10: How to Teach for Student DiscoveryEpisode 17: Using Student Questions to Build StorylinesEpisode 87: How to Choose Better Phenomena Other Resources:YouTube - Why Your Students Won't Ask Questions - By Nicole VanTasselBlog Post - Using Student Questions in Your NGSS Storyline - By Erin Sadler Be Curious Community Cohort - Click here...2021-08-3031 minTeaching Science In 3D85 Colleagues, Administrators, and Creating A 3D Teaching Culture: An Interview With Biology Teacher Nicole H.This week on the podcast, listen as Nicole VanTassel from iExploreScience interviews Nicole H., a high school biology teacher who has done the work getting her school and district on board with three dimensional teaching and learning. It has not been an easy journey (and if you're in the same boat, I know you're nodding along!), but Nicole has some great insight on what worked and what didn't as she worked toward change in her local school system.If you'd like to connect with Nicole, you can find her on Facebook right here....2021-05-3132 minTeaching Science In 3D82 Flip Your Lesson For DiscoveryThis week, Nicole expands on the exploration discussion from last week and discusses how you can "flip" existing lessons to add more opportunities for exploration and discovery. You don't always have to reinvent the wheel, even when you're aiming for exploration-based three-dimensional learning. Oftentimes, simple tweaks and revisions can turn a flat traditional lesson into a three-dimensional discovery experience. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.Register for Nicole's June workshop - Exploration Alchemy: Flip Your Lesson For Discovery at www.iexplorescience.com/monthly. More Resources:Episode 6: H...2021-05-1018 min