Inspiring Science Teachers

Епизоде

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  Elevating Student Voice with the Idaho Ecosystem Student Ambassador Program 28.08.2026 39мин

  Title: Elevating Student Voice with the Idaho Ecosystem Student Ambassador ProgramHost: Chris StokerGuests: Darrell & Cohen (Student Ambassadors), Sonya McGruder & Ashley Schaffner (STEM Hub Coordinators)Welcome to the kickoff of Season 5! Host Chris Stoker explores the Idaho Ecosystem Student Ambassador (IESA) program—a flexible initiative for 6th–12th graders that empowers students to lead in STEM without adding heavy workloads for educators.In This Episode:Part 1 (Student Perspective): Recent grad Darrell Libbe and rising senior Cohen Adams discuss stepping into leadership roles, judging elementary 3D-printing projects at the Idaho Design Expo, and bringing genuine student feedback to regional education leaders.Part 2 (Program Breakdown): STEM Hub Coordinators Sonya and Ashley explain how IESA works and how teachers or community advisors can easily integrate it into existing clubs or classes.Key Takeaways:Student-Driven STEM: Projects range from daily morning announcement science jokes to researching local invasive species.The 3 Program Pillars: Every ambassador completes a student-led project, a leadership interview with a local mentor, and a STEM industry tour.Zero Extra Teacher Workload: Operates as an "umbrella" framework for existing robotics/science clubs and can even be advised by parent volunteers.Timestamps:00:00 – Season 5 Kickoff & IESA Overview01:51 – Student Ambassadors Darrell Libby & Cohen Adams04:20 – Behind the Scenes: Judging 3D-Printing Competitions08:56 – Advocating for Student Voice at Education Panels13:51 – Advice for Middle & High School Students15:39 – Program Deep-Dive with Coordinators Sonya & Ashley17:05 – The 3 Core Pillars: Projects, Interviews & Tours18:50 – Low-Workload Integration for TeachersLink for students, parents or advisors to apply:EcosySTEM Student Ambassadors | EcosySTEM
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  Ambitious Science Teaching book study roundup 08.07.2026 34мин

  What does it really take to shift a science classroom from covering content to helping students make sense of phenomena? In this episode, Chris Stoker talks with Emily and Jamie about the lessons they learned while leading an Idaho Science Teaching Association book study on Ambitious Science Teaching (AST).Practical tips discussed about AST strategies:they force students to think more deeplythey work k-12 and you can start off smallthey raise state test scoreslink to Idaho Science Teaching Association book study page
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  Connecting With STEM Opportunities - Branzell and Amanda 30.04.2026 35мин

  For this episode Becky and Chris interview Branzell Porchia, STEM Program Manager, and Amanda Paterson, Computer Science Program Manager with WDC + STEM.  They have a great passion for connecting  teachers and kids with stem resources in our state.  Two take aways: 1) the big impact we can have on students when we give them powerful learning experiences and 2) the vast number of opportunities that Idaho offers to help prepare students for STEM and the workforce.Resources links: Idaho STEM Action Center https://stem.idaho.gov/Next Steps Idaho https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/Launch Scholarship https://nextsteps.idaho.gov/launchSTEM Diploma Scholarship https://stem.idaho.gov/stem-id/Learning Blade https://stem.idaho.gov/learning-blade/Code.org https://code.org/en-USEngineeringbyDesign https://www.iteea.org/engineering-bydesignIdaho Science and Engineering Fairs https://stem.idaho.gov/idsef/Hour of AI https://stem.idaho.gov/csedweek/ISTEM https://stem.idaho.gov/istem/
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  A February Reset For Science Teachers 01.02.2026 23мин

  In this episode Chris shares 4 things he would do if he were jumping back into a classroom to start February. These are ideas that would hopefully help when your class (or you) are starting to drag before spring break.  They are 1) stop explaining so much, 2) simplify and streamline, 3) protect your energy, and 4) double down on what works.
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  Students talk about the STEM Student Ambassador program 31.12.2025 26мин

  In this episode, Chris interviews 5 students about the Idaho EcosySTEM Student Ambassador program. Through this program, students in 6-12th grade engage in hands-on projects, participate in industry tours, and build collaboration and leadership skills while making a meaningful impact in their school and community. It is modeled after the Chief Science Officer Program. Learn more here .
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  "Be Courageous in Making Changes for Education" with Carrie and Camp 15.10.2025 37мин

  In this episode, Becky and Chris interviewed Carrie and Camp, two educators from the New England Innovation Academy (NEIA) near Boston.  They are doing some great things with students, and we are excited to share the conversation with you.  Even though they teach are a small innovative school, almost all of their ideas could be implemented in any school setting. 
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  Billy Almon's keynote "Winds, Waves, & Tides: Why Now is the Time to Dream Big" 23.09.2025 47мин

  Billy Almon was a keynote speaker at the 2025 Idaho STEM Conference in Meridian Idaho on July 30-August 1st, 2025.Billy's bio: Over the last 10 years Billy has been traveling the globe exploring how biological strategies can be used to inspire solutions for humans, a concept known as Biomimicry. Billy is also the co-host of Little Giants, a tv series on Animal Planet. For more than a decade Billy worked as an Imagineer for the Walt Disney Company, where he honed his talents as a storyteller, inventor, futurist, and world-builder. He has a Bachelor of Architecture from Howard University and a Master of Science in Biomimicry from Arizona State University. In addition to his strong storytelling efforts, Billy also uses insights from biology to highlight ideas for space exploration.Learn more at his website:Billy Almon, The Astrobiofuturist | STEM, Space & Biomimicry Speaker
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  Get Inspired! with Lingpei Zou 21.05.2025 44мин

  Hi and welcome to the Inspiring Science Teachers' Podcast. My name is Chris Stoker and on this show, we love to interview teachers and pick their brains for some of the great lessons and ideas they've developed for teaching science.For this episode, Becky and I interviewed Lingpei Zou, a middle school teacher in Rigby Idaho. Lingpei has an interesting story of coming to this country from China. She now teaches in a dual emersion program and gets to teach robotics on Fridays. Lingpei shares was got her excited from attending the NSTA national conference a few months ago in Philadelphia. Here are some great quotes from the keynotes: "embrace your 1% uniqueness" and "Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge." She shared many things that resonated with her from the sessions and the vendor exhibits. But for me the biggest thing was she got us excited about continuing to learn as adults and to take every opportunity to attend a local conference. Let's jump into it.
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  What is Material Science? with Becky Heckman and Mike Hurley 18.04.2025 47мин

  I was recently looking over some curriculum we had written for a middle school science about waves, and I wondered why this standard was so different from how we have traditional taught the subject.  It seemed to focus on a different part - more on how the waves interact with and move through a material. Then it dawned on me, this standard is really about material science. For this episode, Becky and I chat with two experts in this area, Becky Heckman, a teacher leader and materials science camp trainer from Ohio and Dr Mike Hurley, a professor in the Micron School of Material Science & Engineering at Boise State University.  We discuss what material science is all about, why it's important in our modern world, and what careers opportunities it prepares students to tackle. We also discuss an awesome camp teachers can attend to receive valuable training on how to integrate more hands-on investigations into your science classrooms.
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  "An Amazing Mess of a Time" with Jamie Clark 14.03.2025 30мин

  For this episode, Becky and I interviewed Jaime Clark, an 8th grade earth science teacher in American Falls.Jaime shared an engaging activity with rocks and minerals, what intrigues her about metamorphic rock, and a great science fair event she runs each year that involves the elementary, the high school and the community.Jaimie also talked about how much better she has become at training students to work in groups and being vulnerable with kids about what you don't know as the teacher. This is good stuff, so let's get to it.
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  "Add a Little STEM Magic" with ReBekha Lulu 31.01.2025 34мин

  For this episode, Becky and I interviewed ReBekha Lulu a former elementary teacher and now the STEM Hub Coordinator for Southwest Idaho. ReBekha shared a great lesson involving 3D printing, a new Student Leadership program in STEM for 6-12 graders, and upcoming STEM convenings throughout the state. There are two things that ReBekha said that I really loved. The first came as she was giving us her definition of STEM--she said it's all the skills we want our students to do in Life.  I really like how she famed that. And the second came  when I asked her how a teacher can get started with doing more STEM--she said to start with a lesson that really lights you up already, and work to add something STEM related that makes it even better. I love it when teachers give us a small nugget of advice that makes it easier to get started. And I think you're going to love a lot more of what she had to say, so let's jump in. 
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  Start Small and Stick With It with Gina Kwid. 26.12.2024 28мин

  For this episode, Becky and I interviewed Gina Kwid, a 2nd grade teacher and a STEM enthusiast!  Gina shared a great milkweed experiment she did with her kids, talked about the importance of networking, and summarized that STEM skills are really about being a thinker. This year Gina was recognized as state finalist for the national Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Congratulations Gina!! Of these finalists, our state superintendent of public instruction Debbie Critchfield said, “This award highlights Idaho educators who have gone above and beyond in opening doors in STEM for our youngest learners. These remarkable instructors have created a space for students to explore STEM topics with comfort and curiosity." I love that last phrase-explore STEM topics with comfort and curiosity-and feel like that is a great description of Gina's style with her students.  Let's jump in.
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  Hands-on, Real World, and Relevant with Cecilia Gillam 10.11.2024 39мин

  This episode marks the podcast's two years anniversary and I'm very happy with how things have gone.  My goal was, and still is, to simply share the good stuff from those who are in the trenches, you all who are continually learning and improving your craft every day in classrooms.  I wanted to showcase regular teachers who are doing inspiring things and that would hopefully encourage and inspire us all to keep up the good and challenging work we do every day in our profession.   For this episode, my colleague Becky and I interviewed Dr Cecila Gillam, a high school science teacher from New Orleans, LA. We had a great conversation as she shared a favorite lesson about the water crisis and students building prototypes of devices to create clean drinking water, the importance of hands-on science, the need to diversify our portfolio of ed tech tools, and removing barriers for getting more underrepresented students into STEM courses. Cecelia is what I would consider an amitious teacher, but is also keenly focused on building relationships and empowering students. Let's jump in.  
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  "We do this job for kids like Justin" with Tanya Elmer 25.10.2024 32мин

  For this episode, Becky and I interviewed Tanya Elmer, a high school chemistry teacher and the president of the Idaho Science Teaching Association. She shared about her "Famous Chocolate Lab"  which is an engaging activity that helps students better understand intermolecular forces.  She also talked about what she's learned about leadership and the importance of getting involved.  My favorite part though was when she shared a poignant teacher memory about a difficult student named Justin.  Years later, he came back to visit her and when she heard his story, she turned to her student teacher and said, "We don't do this because we love Chemistry, we do this because of kids like Justin".  It's a great reminder for us all and I know you'll want to hear it, so let's jump in.
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  "What You Do Matters" with Andrea Baerwald 01.10.2024 35мин

  For this episode, Becky and I interviewed Andrea Baerwald, the Science Coordinator for the Idaho Department of Education. We had some great conversations about professional development, getting involved with state-led committees and using the state science coaches.  She also shared a favorite lesson called "Outrageous Organisms" that grew from a fun and engaging activity to became more of an anchor phenomenon that was re-visited multiple times throughout the year. And that came about because of a great collaborative relationship with her teaching partner. Andrea's insights and optimism are refreshing and left me feeling motivated to a better job communicating to teachers the great things that are happening in our state.
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  Inspired To Start A New School Year - Interviews from the 2024 STEM Conference 23.08.2024 38мин

  For the kickoff to season 3, I interviewed 4 teachers (Jacob, Allyson, Jeff, and Britton) at the annual STEM conference held this year in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. We chatted about what they felt inspired to do from the conference and/or what inspires them in general. They shared some great takeaways and insights. And I think you'll find this particularly interesting: two of them are team teachers and married! Also as a first on the show, we'll be playing some student clips, which I'm excited for you to hear.
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  "We Trust You" with Daisey Horner 29.05.2024 39мин

  For this episode, Becky and I interviewed Daisey Horner, a high school science teacher from Idaho Fine Arts Academy in Meridian.  One of the things that she shared was of her challenges in seeing students struggle with confidence and how she has tried to help.  In preparation for this interview, she asked her students what they thought about the culture in her class and one of them said, "We Trust You".  I can't stop thinking about how significant that is. They trust her because she has built relationships with them.  She goes to their performances; she DJ's their dances. She knows them and they know her.  That takes an investment. And when you invest in students, in the long run, it always pays off.
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  Seeing the World Through Their Eyes with Karen Miller 20.04.2024 39мин

  For this episode, Becky and I interviewed Karen Miller, an 8th grade physical science teacher at Eagle Middle School in the Boise area. Karen is retiring after this year and since she's from our home district we have worked with her many times and had a fantastic conversation about what's she's learned over her 33 year career. One of her tips for us was to get kids to ask their own questions as often as possible, because (and I loved this line): Questions get kids to reconnect with their curiosity! The conversation was filled with good stuff like that and it really made me reflect: What do I want my former students to remember from my classes?  Karen had a great answer, so let's get to it.
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  "The Best Day Ever" with Natalie Moerer 29.03.2024 25мин

  For this episode, I interviewed Natalie Moerer, a 1st grade teacher at Hansen Elementary in southern Idaho. Natalie has lived and taught abroad and so has a unique perspective on the importance of supporting multilingual Learners.  She also is firm believer in strong classroom management skills and building a class culture where students try to better themselves and cheer each other on, rather than compete against each other! And it was clear, throughout the whole conversation that Natalie works at building relationships with students, that she enjoys it, and that she is skilled at finding where they are and helping them move to where they need to be.
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  Doing Whatever It Takes with Tama Naden 22.02.2024 52мин

  For this episode, Becky and I interviewed Tama Naden, a kindergarten teacher at Orofino Elementary School in North Central Idaho. Tama is a 30 yr veteran and she some shared some really great thoughts with us.  Here were some of my favorite lines: "Hope starts in schools"; "Teachers love to learn"; "Our profession demands collaboration"; "It's not best for kids when they feel rushed or stressed"; "I can't do anything without the team and that means community members as well"; "I did not need to be the disseminator of all knowledge"; "Never give up on a student"; and "The thing that means the most is when my students as adults come up to me and say that I made an impact on their life".