Amplify Education

Welcome to Science Connections: The Podcast! Science is changing before our eyes, now more than ever. So...how do we help kids figure that out? We will bring on educators, scientists, and more to discuss the importance of high-quality science instruction. In this episode, hear from our host Eric Cross about his work engaging students as a K-8 science teacher.

Welcome to Science Connections: The Podcast! Science is changing before our eyes, now more than ever. So...how do we help kids figure that out? We will bring on educators, scientists, and more to discuss the importance of high-quality science instruction. In this episode, hear from our host Eric Cross about his work engaging students as a K-8 science teacher.


S1-00. About Science Connections: The Podcast

K8 Science Podcast Teaser: Science Connections

In this special <a href='https://amplify.com/science-connections-episode-s1-04'>episode</a>, our host Eric Cross sits down with veteran middle school teacher Ryan Rudkin. Ryan shares her expertise after almost two decades in the classroom, discussing ways to incorporate aspects of problem-based learning into the K–8 science classroom. Eric and Ryan talk about how to increase parent engagement, involve community members, and add excitement to lessons. Connect with Ryan in our brand-new Facebook community <a href='https://www.facebook.com/groups/scienceconnections'>here</a>! Check out March Mammal Madness <a href='https://libguides.asu.edu/marchmammalmadness'>here</a>!

S1-04. Connecting with students and caregivers in the science classroom: Ryan Renee Rudkin

In <a href='https://amplify.com/science-connections-episode-s1-03/'>this episode</a>, our host Eric Cross discusses the importance of integrating literacy skills into science instruction with Rebecca Abbott, Professional Learning Lead at the Lawerence Hall of Science at UC Berkley. Listen in as Rebecca challenges science educators to weave together vocabulary, background knowledge, and an understanding of language structures to help students make sense of complex science texts. Eric and Rebecca also chat about ways to use literacy in the service of science, and how educators can take the challenges of unfinished learning and use them to accelerate learning.  Want to learn more from Rebecca? Attend a webinar with <a href='https://home.edweb.net/webinar/science20220316/'>EdWeb</a>! Read about the importance of great professional learning for teachers <a href='https://mss.wested.org/blog/it-takes-two-neither-high-quality-instructional-materials-or-high-quality-professional-learning-can-do-it-alone/'>here</a>. Check out some great resources from the Lawerence Hall of Science! You can read <a href='https://www.heinemann.com/products/e11232.aspx'>No More Science Kits or Texts in Isolation</a> to lean more on integrating literacy into science instruction.

S1-03. Ways to integrate literacy skills into a K—8 science classroom: Rebecca Abbott

In <a href="https://amplify.com/science-connections-episode-s1-03/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this episode</a>, our host Eric Cross discusses the importance of integrating literacy skills into science instruction with Rebecca Abbott, Professional Learning Lead at the Lawerence Hall of Science at UC Berkley. Listen in as Rebecca challenges science educators to weave together vocabulary, background knowledge, and an understanding of language structures to help students make sense of complex science texts. Eric and Rebecca also chat about ways to use literacy in the service of science, and how educators can take the challenges of unfinished learning and use them to accelerate learning.&nbsp; Want to learn more from Rebecca? Attend a webinar with <a href="https://home.edweb.net/webinar/science20220316/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">EdWeb</a>! Read about the importance of great professional learning for teachers <a href="https://mss.wested.org/blog/it-takes-two-neither-high-quality-instructional-materials-or-high-quality-professional-learning-can-do-it-alone/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>. Check out some great resources from the Lawerence Hall of Science! You can read <a href="https://www.heinemann.com/products/e11232.aspx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">No More Science Kits or Texts in Isolation</a> to lean more on integrating literacy into science instruction.

Rebecca Abbott is the Professional Learning Lead for The Learning Design Group at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, the research and curriculum development team that created Amplify Science. In her 10 years at The Lawrence, she has been supporting instructional leaders and teachers in implementing research-based science instructional materials and approaches, often traveling to work with educators in various parts of the country or meeting them on Zoom. Before coming to the Hall, Rebecca taught in San Francisco Bay Area schools for many years, finding her sweet spot as a third-grade teacher, and then later as a K-5 interdisciplinary instructional coach and English learner specialist. When she’s not working to integrate science and literacy, you can find her spending her time outdoors on various adventures in the mountains and on the coast of Northern California.

Rebecca Abbott

Professional Learning Lead for The Learning Design Group at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science

Rebecca Abbott of the UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science speaks to middle school educator Eric Cross about the importance of supporting literacy skills within the K—8 science classroom.


Integrating literacy skills and strategies into K—8 science classroom.

In this <a href='https://amplify.com/science-connections-episode-s1-02/'>episode</a>, we join Eric Cross as he sits down with physicist and science education specialist, Desiré Whitmore. Listen in as Desiré explains her work at the Exploratorium, a public learning laboratory. Eric and Desiré discuss finding passion in science, the importance of connecting with students, and science instruction with real-life implementations to inspire K—8 students. Quotes:&quot;I think it&apos;s really amazing when we can realize as teachers... our job is not just to enforce rules on our students... our job is is to help students achieve more learning.&quot; Follow Desiré on <a href='https://twitter.com/DarthScience'>Twitter</a>.Learn more about the Exploratorium <a href='https://www.exploratorium.edu/'>here</a>!

S1-02. Community and joy within K-8 science instruction: Desiré Whitmore

In this episode, host Eric Cross is joined by supply chain engineer Juan Vivas of SpaceX to explore his &quot;origin story&quot; of moving to the United States to study engineering and become a successful engineer. Juan also shares the experiences that made a difference in his life and his appreciation for the teacher who inspired him along the way. Eric and Juan also discuss Juan&apos;s current work on SpaceX Project Starlink, a project to bring Internet access across the globe, as well as what it’s like to work in the supply chain during COVID.

S1-01. The journey from student to SpaceX engineer: Juan Vivas

In this <a href="https://amplify.com/science-connections-episode-s1-02/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">episode</a>, we join Eric Cross as he sits down with physicist and science education specialist, Desiré Whitmore. Listen in as Desiré explains her work at the Exploratorium, a public learning laboratory. Eric and Desiré discuss finding passion in science, the importance of connecting with students, and science instruction with real-life implementations to inspire K—8 students. Quotes: "I think it's really amazing when we can realize as teachers... our job is not just to enforce rules on our students... our job is is to help students achieve more learning." Follow Desiré on <a href="https://twitter.com/DarthScience" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Learn more about the Exploratorium <a href="https://www.exploratorium.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>!

Senior Physics Educator, aka “LaserChick”, Exploratorium

Desiré

Whitmore

Eric Cross sits down with Exploratorium physicist Desiré Whitmore to discuss her journey to become a scientist and how to connect students to science instruction.


Community and joy within K8 science instruction: Desiré Whitmore

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.&nbsp; 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 K8 science teaching practices and create wonder for young minds.

S1-00. About Science Connections: The Podcast

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Today's Host

Eric Cross

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