Understanding and Accessing Scientific Research on Learning

From the Learning Scientists podcast, cognitive psychologist Megan Sumeracki joins us to talk about the science of learning. With a goal to make scientific research on learning more accessible, the Learning Scientists started as a Twitter account that has now grown to a popular podcast aimed at teachers, students and other educators. Megan joins us to describe how scientists research […]

Read more

Using Art to Bring Science Out of the Lab

For over a decade, the Bioart Scientific Image and Video Competition has provided an artistic vehicle for biological scientists to share their research beyond the confines of their lab and professional circles. Chris Curran, one of the Bioart judges, joins us to talk about the Bioart competition, the intersection of art and science, and how teachers might use stunning visuals […]

Read more

The Growing Importance of Science Communication #ScientistOutLoud

In this installment of #ScientistOutLoud, Dr. Carly Anne York joins us to talk about the growing importance of science communication, how she generates enthusiasm for science and the scientific process, and her efforts in making science accessible for students and the public. About Our Guest Dr. Carly Anne York is biology professor who studies animal behavior, physiology and biomechanics at […]

Read more

Using Phenomena to Help Students Explain the World

What are phenomena and how can science teachers use these events to engage students in science? Professor of Science Education Todd Campbell joins us to help start a series about using phenemona in science education. Listen to hear about new strategies in how pre-service science educators are being prepared, where to start if you are beginning a journey to adopt […]

Read more

Code Breaking, Spy Hunting and Other Stories of Women in STEM

Laurie Wallmark returns to share two new stories celebrating women in STEM: Code Breaker, Spy Hunter (about Elizabeth Friedman) and Numbers in Motion (a story about Sophie Kowalevski). As we discover the fascinating stories of these important women, we also discuss the role of STEM in schools and realize the importance of exposing all kids to STEM learning opportunities. About […]

Read more

A Novel Discovery in Condor Reproduction #ScientistOutLoud

Sometimes surprising discoveries happen when scientists aren’t looking for them. While analyzing biological samples from California Condors as part of a conservation effort, a team at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance discovered an unusual phenomenon: two condors born in captivity that contained only maternal DNA. This startling observation confirmed a rare event known as facultative parthenogenesis – a form of […]

Read more

Evolution Education Resources, Support from TIES

The Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science (TIES) was founded to provide teachers with content and engaging resources to teach evolution in an effective and respectful way. Now with downloadable units that meet every state’s evolution standards, TIES offers formidable resources for teaching evolution online.  TIES Director and founder Bertha Vazquez joins us to discuss how science teachers can access their […]

Read more

Pumpkin Science, Facts and Surprises

To answer our questions about pumpkins, we connected with a pumpkin expert. From the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Rebecca Brown joins us to talk about growing pumpkins, the surprising results of pumpkin breeding, and the pumpkin industry in the United States. About Our Guest Rebecca Brown is an assistant professor at the University of Rhode Island in the Department […]

Read more

A Good Game is More Than a Pile of Facts

Can all games provide learning activities? Is there a connection between scientific models and games? How can educators evaluate games and simulators as learning tools in the classroom? David Gagnon joins us to discuss designing and evaluating games for learning, and describes how his team integrates learning theory to create meaningful games that make personal connections to students. About Our […]

Read more

A Greater Call to Connect with Scientists

As schools transitioned to online learning in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Skype a Scientist saw a increased demand for their service. Boasting a database of thousands of scientists, SKYPE a Scientist uses readily available video chat tools to connect scientists to teachers, students and other groups around the world. Founder and Executive Director Sarah McAnulty joins us to tell […]

Read more

Equity and Evidence: a Vision for NSTA from Erika Shugart

Erika Shugart joins us for our 250th episode to discuss her role as the NSTA Executive Director, share how the association can provide professional development and networking opportunities in a face to face world with digital demands, and explain her vision to provide equity and evidence in science education. About our Guest: A Ph.D.  scientist and long-time leader in informal […]

Read more

Bad Things Done in the Name of Science

What happens when scientists abandon ethical standards in the pursuit of science? Can we trust scientific discoveries learned with fraudulent practices? To answer some of these questions and more, science writer Sam Kean joins us to share from his new book, The Icepick Surgeon: Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science. Listen to […]

Read more

So What Have We Learned? #COVID-19

We close out season 14 reflecting on our experiences last year educating and learning through a pandemic. We also re-connect with Fred Ende and his kids as they share their experiences learning science and communicating with others over the last year. About our Guest: Fred Ende is the Director of Curriculum and Instructional Services for a cooperative educational service in […]

Read more

Smelling Your Ants and Other Tips from a Myremocologist #ScientistOutLoud

For our latest installment of Scientist Out Loud, Dr. Terry McGlynn joins us to discuss his research with ants and other insects found in tropical rainforests. Since 1995, Terry has been working out of La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica studying ants as a model system.  Instead of the boring ants we might find in North America, these tropical […]

Read more

Explore Sound Online with Listening to Waves

In an attempt to help students make visible connections between science and sound, Dr. Victor Minces and his team have created Listening to Waves – a suite of online tools that allow students to easily view, manipulate and generate sound. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Listening to Waves freely provides an online oscilloscope, signal generator, and spectrogram. Dr. Minces […]

Read more

The Impact of Pop Culture and Video Creation in Science Education

With a shift to online learning during the pandemic, students have relied on watching and creating more videos. But how has that impacted science education? To help answer that question, we invited Rhett Allain back to Lab Out Loud. Rhett shares some tips and suggestions for online learning – especially dealing with online math. Spoiler alert! He suggests that students […]

Read more

Bringing Science Home with Science Buddies

As schooling has expanded into our homes during the pandemic, it’s no surprise that online resources geared towards learning at home have been extremely valuable. That’s why our exploration into science at home connects us with Ben Finio and Svenja Lohner, both senior staff scientists at Science Buddies. With an emphasis on providing kid-friendly, bite-sized STEM learning activities for students […]

Read more

What Students Can Learn from Perseverance

“If we can do this, then where do we go from here? We’re doing the impossible, every single time we land on Mars” -Brandon Rodriguez Our exploration into distance learning takes on new meaning this week, as we discover what’s next from the Perseverance rover that recently landed on Mars. To guide us in the conversation, we welcome Brandon Rodriguez […]

Read more

Igniting Science Curiosity Across Africa

As we continue to explore how science education has adapted to during the pandemic, a new science TV show out of Africa caught our eye. In part created to accommodate learning at home through broadcast television, N*Gen has grown into a Pan-African TV show that encourages science across borders and allows African children to see themselves as scientists. With a […]

Read more

The Show Must Go On: Learning Science Through Tragedy

Our guest this week is Mallory Wills, a biology and earth science teacher at George Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In August 2020, Cedar Rapids and other parts of the Midwest were slammed by a derecho – an intense storm with straight line winds that damaged every school in the Cedar Rapids system. In the wake of the […]

Read more
1 2 3 4 15