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About This Podcast
iExploreScience: STEM in Elem is for upper elementary teachers — especially grades 3–5 —who want to make elementary science and math more engaging, without adding more prep or overwhelm to their day. If you’re looking for practical ways to bring STEM and hands-on learning into your classroom while still meeting standards like NGSS, this podcast is for you.
Each week, you’ll get (ideally) short, (always!) actionable episodes (about 15–30 minutes) filled with classroom-tested ideas you can actually use. From simple STEM challenges and low-prep science activities to math routines, lab management, and neurodivergent-friendly strategies, everything is designed to help you keep students thinking, moving, and engaged—especially during the most challenging times of the year.
You’ll also hear honest reflections from real classroom experiences, with a focus on what works (and what doesn’t) in my 5th grade science and math classroom — no perfection required.
I’m Nicole, and I share practical, hands-on science and math ideas designed specifically for upper elementary teachers who want engaging, rigorous lessons without the overwhelm.
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Recent Episodes
S12E11 11 The Engineering Cycle: What It Actually Looks Like in a Real Classroom
You've seen the circle graphic. Define, design, build, test, improve. But if you're treating it as a linear checklist, you're missing what actually makes engineering work — and why iteration keeps…
S11E10 10 Take It Outside: 3 Easy Ideas for the Final Stretch
Mud, leaves, and praying mantises on the side of the building. The schoolyard is more alive than your students expect — and getting outside in the final weeks of school is not a reward. It's…
S11E9 09 3 Science Topics That Make Kids Forget It's June
The last few weeks of school are when even your most engaged students start mentally checking out. In this episode Nicole shares three science topics that consistently pull kids back in — space…
S11E8 08 How To Make Every Kid Feel Seen Before Summer
The last week of school doesn't have to be survival mode. In this episode Nicole shares the end-of-year traditions she keeps coming back to — student word clouds, summer science kits, class awards…
S11E7 07 5 STEM Challenges Using Only Paper, Tape, and Cardboard
Tallest towers. Egg drops. Marble runs. These five challenges use nothing but paper, tape, and cardboard — and they're some of the most engaging engineering activities you can run in the final weeks…
S11E6 06 How To Run a STEM Challenge Without the Chaos
You know that feeling you get before you start a science lab or STEM challenge — excitement tinged with nervousness and maybe a little dread? You can imagine success -- kids exploring, talking,…
S11E5 05 From Crafts to Thinking: What Makes an Activity Actually "STEM"?
Oobleck. Spaghetti towers. Vinegar and baking soda. These aren't bad activities by any means! — but most of the time they're not really driving STEM learning in your upper elementary classroom.…
S11E4 04 STEM Bins for Slow Morning Starts
Morning arrival is one of the hardest transitions of the school day — and one of the most overlooked. In this episode I break down my STEM bin system: what goes in them, how often I rotate them, how…
S11E3 03 The Week After Testing: Why It Falls Apart and What To Do Instead
The post-test crash is one of the most misunderstood weeks of the school year — and it doesn't hit every kid the same way. In this episode Nicole introduces Dr. Thomas Boyce's dandelion and orchid…
S11E2 02 Ideas for the Week(s) of Testing
Testing season is a lot. This episode is for the days before, during, and after the test — what to actually do with your class when the schedule is weird, the kids are anxious, and your attention is…
S11E1 01 Why I Started iExploreScience: STEM in Elem (And What's Coming)
If you've ever stood in front of a class and realized your students are afraid to be wrong — this episode is for you.Episode 1 is the introduction to iExploreScience: STEM in Elem — who I am, what I…
A Note for Longtime Listeners — What's Coming Next
If you've been here since Teaching Science in 3D — thank you. This short episode is for you.I'm using this space to be honest about what's changing, why it's changing, and what you can expect from…
S10E9 Building a Classroom Community Series Part 3: The Science Classroom
In this episode, Erin continues her conversation with middle school science teacher Char Ritchie. Char explains how she builds on the community building practices discussed in the last episode to…
S10E8 Building a Classroom Community Series Part 2: Respect Agreements and Community Circles
In the second episode of our 3-part series on building classroom community and expectations, Erin shares conversations with two special guests — Bailey and her 8th grade science teacher, Char…
S10E7 Building Classroom Community Series Part 1: Interview with Erin's Daughter
In this first episode of our 3-part series on building classroom community and expectations, Erin interviews a special guest — her daughter! Together, they reflect on the things that helped her feel…
S10E6 "Start Small" Series: Deepen Learning By Reducing Tasks
In 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…
S10E5 "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…
S10E4 "Start Small" Series: Building Simple Routines With 3D Practices
In 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…
S10E3 Erin's ADHD Diagnosis
Erin discusses her recent ADHD diagnosis. She recorded this episode in hopes that it may potentially help other people who suspect they have ADHD or who want to know more about what its like having…
S10E2 5 Things We Want Teachers to Know About ADHD
Both 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…
Frequently Asked Questions
iExploreScience: STEM in Elem has published 151 episodes since August 2019, covering topics in Education, How To.
iExploreScience: STEM in Elem is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 21m.
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