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Science Connections
From the science classroom. For the science classroom. Science education looks different today than it ever has before. The constant flow of new ideas and challenges opens up exciting opportunities for scientists, educators, and learners alike to reexamine our world and our place in it. Join middle school science educator Eric Cross as he sits down with fellow educators, scientists, and engineers to explore the best ways we can improve our K–8 science teaching practices and create wonder for young minds.
Episodes
32 episodes
The best of Beyond My Years (so far!)
To close out the year, we’re revisiting some of our favorite moments from the first nine episodes of the Beyond My Years podcast – and looking ahead at some of what’s to come in 2025! Listen to Beyond My Years: <...
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4:03
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Beyond My Years: Teaching with determination, starring Khamphet Pease
Hi Science Connections listeners! Here’s an episode from Amplify’s new podcast, Beyond My Years, that we think you’ll like. It features an incredible STEM e...
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50:34
NEW! Beyond My Years: Teaching with heart, starring Joyce Abbott
Check out Amplify’s new podcast, Beyond My Years— host and educator Ana Torres seeks out educational insights and hard-won lessons directly from people who have thrived for decades in the ...
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49:26
Beyond My Years podcast trailer
Listen to this trailer for our new podcast, Beyond My Years, launching August 14th. Every day headlines tout something “new” in education—the latest research, the hottest tech, the trendiest ...
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3:05
S3-08: 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 integra...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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58:12
S3-07: 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 story and discusses the benefits of storytelling in science education.And don’t forget to grab your
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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49:48
S3-06: 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 exp...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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55:52
S3-05: Thinking is power
Join us as we sit down with Melanie Trecek-King, college 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 “foo...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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57:35
S3-04: Using AI and ChatGPT in K–12 classrooms
In the latest episode of the Science Connections podcast, we explore using AI in the classroom and its impact on our students. Listen as I sit down with teachers Donnie Piercey and Jennifer Roberts to discuss ChatGPT and how we can use it...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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1:01:14
S3-03: Teacher tips for uniting 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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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43:46
S3 - 02. 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 t...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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44:04
S3 - 01. Science as the underdog, and the research behind it
Get ready for season 3 of Science Connections: The Podcast!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 Rese...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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45:08
Winter Wrap-Up 03: Supporting students with a creative twist, feat. Shad Lacefield
Listen to the last episode in our Winter Wrap-Up! In this conversation from season 1, Eric sits down with Shad Lacefield, 2021 Kentucky Science Teacher of the Year. Shad shares his experience teaching during the first year of the pande...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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31:55
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Winter Wrap-Up 02: Overcoming adversity in the classroom
While we’re hard at work producing the exciting third season of Science Connections: The Podcast, we’re continuing to share some of our favorite conversations from our first two seas...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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29:44
Winter Wrap-Up 01: Community and joy within K-8 science instruction
While we gear up for the next season of Science Connections: The Podcast, we're revisiting some of our favorite conversations from past seasons!In this episode, we join Eric Cross as he sits down with physicist and science education spe...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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47:20
S2-06: Making time for science in K–5 classrooms: Lauran Woolley
In this episode, Eric Cross sits down with TikTok star and podcast host Lauran Woolley about her experience teaching science content within her K–5 classroom. Lauran shares how she’s learned how to make time for science, and what most K–5 teach...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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19:54
S2-05: Moving students forward with project-based learning: Janis Lodge
In this episode, Eric Cross sits with K–5 educator, Janis Lodge to chat about building on her own science curriculum to create meaningful project-based learning experiences. Janis shares her work teaching Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), a...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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25:22
S2-04: Gamification in the K–8 classroom: Fabian Hofmann
In this episode, Eric Cross sits down with his colleague and friend Fabian Hofmann to talk through gamification in the K–8 classroom. They discuss Fabian's experience teaching outside of the United States, and the differences in classrooms outs...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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27:28
S2-03. Building meaningful student connections: Sharita Ware
In this episode, Eric Cross sits down with Sharita Ware, Indiana State Teacher of the Year to talk about how to build meaningful student connections. Sharita shares her journey from a corporate career to becoming Indiana's 2022 Teacher of the Y...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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24:03
S2-02. Developing your own teaching style: Tips from a veteran teacher
In this episode, Eric Cross sits down with veteran educator and former Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Middle School Science Teacher of the Year, Marilyn Dieppa. Marilyn shares tips for new teachers, ways to inspire students, and ho...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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24:57
S2-01. How teachers are really feeling this school year
In this special solo episode, Eric Cross starts the season by sharing his personal journey as an educator, and how the difficulties of the last few years have shaped his mindset going into the upcoming school year. Eric also addresses teacher b...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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20:45
S1-10. Empowering the science educator: Jessica Kesler
In the final episode of the season, Eric sits down with his friend and professional development facilitator, Jessica Kelser. During the episode, Jessica describes her passion f...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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31:29
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S1-09. Supporting K–8 science students in the digital world: Ricky Mason
In this episode, Eric sits down with Ricky Mason, CEO of BrainSTEM. Ricky shares his passion for inspiring students into science careers, and his path from an engineering caree...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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29:14
S1-08. The importance of risk-taking in the science classroom, a conversation with Valeria Rodriguez
In this episode, our host Eric Cross sits down with Miami-based educator, Valeria Rodriguez. Valeria shares her journey of serving in the Peace Corps, working a corporate job, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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32:18
