Best K8 Science Instruction Podcasts (2025)

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Phones, focus, and grit, with Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., on Beyond My Years 47:35

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2d ago47:35

47:35

Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., the New York Times bestselling author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, recently joined Host Ana Torres on the Beyond My Years podcast to discuss her new landmark research on school cell phone policies. In this episode, Angela highlights the many complexities surrounding student cell phone use in schools and w…

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Beyond My Years is back: Season 2 trailer 2:32

3M ago2:32

2:32

Host Ana Torres and Classroom Insider Eric Cross give you the first look at Season 2 of the Beyond My Years podcast, launching September 17, 2025. This trailer highlights what’s coming after an award-winning first season, including shorter episodes and more takeaways to help you extend your reach. Season 2 focuses on common classroom challenges, lo…

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The best of Beyond My Years (so far!) 3:47

11M ago3:47

3:47

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: Subscribe to Beyond My Years on Apple Subscribe to Beyond My Years on Spotify Listen to Beyond My Years via web browser…

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Beyond My Years: Teaching with determination, starring Khamphet Pease 50:19

1y ago50:19

50:19

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 educator from San Diego, California, named Khamphet Pease. Today on Beyond My Years, host Ana Torres learns all she can learn from the life stories and lessons of Khamphet Pease. As a refugee fro…

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NEW! Beyond My Years: Teaching with heart, starring Joyce Abbott 49:49

1+ y ago49:49

49:49

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 classroom: seasoned educators. On this premiere episode, Ana soaks up wisdom from Joyce Abbott, an educator so passionate about her students that she inspired one…

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Beyond My Years podcast trailer 3:28

1+ y ago3:28

3:28

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 new hacks for organizing your classroom. However, beyond all the hype there’s one underestimated resource that’s truly deserving of our attention: educators wh…

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S3-08: Making science a superhero 58:35

2y ago58:35

58:35

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 integrates science with other content areas to give students an engaging, phenomena-based learning experience. Li…

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S3-07: Telling the story of science 50:11

2y ago50:11

50:11

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 Science Connections study guide to track your learning and find additional resources! For more from Minerva, check out thes…

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S3-06: Identifying and addressing pseudoscience 56:15

2+ y ago56:15

56:15

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 experience with engaging students through identifying pseudoscience, and how developing these skills creates …

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S3-05: Thinking is power 57:58

2+ y ago57:58

57:58

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 “fooling” students and the importance of developing critical thinking, information literacy, and science liter…

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S3-04: Using AI and ChatGPT in K–12 classrooms 1:01:37

2+ y ago1:01:37

1:01:37

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 to build science and literacy skills in K–12 classrooms while preparing students for the real world. And don’t …

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S3-03: Teacher tips for uniting science and literacy 44:09

2+ y ago44:09

44:09

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 practical guidance for teachers who want to unite the two disciplines in their own classrooms. Listen as w…

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S3 - 02. How science strengthens literacy and language development 44:27

2+ y ago44:27

44:27

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 teacher and senior science educator and staff advocate at BSCS Science Learning. She shared past experiences and …

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S3 - 01. Science as the underdog, and the research behind it 45:31

2+ y ago45:31

45:31

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 Researcher Courtney Plumley. Eric and Courtney dive into the research they’ve found and their experiences as former educat…

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Winter Wrap-Up 03: Supporting students with a creative twist, feat. Shad Lacefield 32:18

2+ y ago32:18

32:18

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 pandemic, which included dressing up in over 100 costumes to create unique and engaging online learning experiences for …

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Winter Wrap-Up 02: Overcoming adversity in the classroom 30:07

3y ago30:07

30:07

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 seasons. This time we’re revisiting a popular episode from season 1: Overcoming adversity in the classroom featuring Joe McCormick, director of engineering at Splitspot. He…

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Winter Wrap-Up 01: Community and joy within K-8 science instruction 47:43

3y ago47:43

47:43

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 specialist, Desiré Whitmore. Listen in as Desiré explains her work at the Exploratorium, a public learning laborator…

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S2-06: Making time for science in K–5 classrooms: Lauran Woolley 20:17

3y ago20:17

20:17

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 teachers experience when creating their own science curriculum. Lauran also talks about her rise in popularity …

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S2-05: Moving students forward with project-based learning: Janis Lodge 25:45

3y ago25:45

25:45

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), and how to use those practices to help accelerate the learning of all students. Eric and Janis also talk ab…

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S2-04: Gamification in the K–8 classroom: Fabian Hofmann 27:51

3y ago27:51

27:51

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 outside of the country. Fabian explains how to integrate game mechanisms in the classroom, standard-based grad…

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S2-03. Building meaningful student connections: Sharita Ware 24:26

3y ago24:26

24:26

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 Year, and her passion for creating project-based lessons for her students. Together, Eric and Sharita discu…

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S2-02. Developing your own teaching style: Tips from a veteran teacher 25:20

3y ago25:20

25:20

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 how she utilizes her journalism background to develop literacy skills within her science classroom. She also s…

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S2-01. How teachers are really feeling this school year 21:08

3+ y ago21:08

21:08

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 burnout and what inspires him to continue working as a classroom educator.…

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S1-10. Empowering the science educator: Jessica Kesler 31:51

3+ y ago31:51

31:51

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 for sharing high-quality, empathy-centered professional development for K–12 educators. The conversation also dives into Jessica's experiences teaching in Philadelphia, and ho…

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S1-09. Supporting K–8 science students in the digital world: Ricky Mason 29:37

3+ y ago29:37

29:37

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 career with organizations like the Department of Defense, NASA, and the CIA to starting BrainSTEM, an education program that develops creative digital tools to enable all teachers…

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S1-08. The importance of risk-taking in the science classroom, a conversation with Valeria Rodriguez 32:41

3+ y ago32:41

32:41

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, and eventually finding her passion as a middle-school science teacher. Listen in as Valeria explains how sketchnoting, a form of note-taking that utilizes illustrations, enco…

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S1-07. Overcoming adversity in the science classroom. A conversation with Joe McCormick 29:31

3+ y ago29:31

29:31

In this episode, Eric sits down with Joe McCormick, director of engineering at SplitSpot. Joe shares his experience of losing his central vision in high school and the transition into college at Harvard. Eric and Joe chat about self-advocacy within the classroom, and scaffolds that worked for Joe as he learned how to navigate the world with his dis…

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S1-06. Supporting students with a creative twist: A conversation with Kentucky Science Teacher of the Year, Shad Lacefield 30:20

3+ y ago30:20

30:20

In this episode, Eric sits down with the Kentucky Science Teacher of the Year, Shad Lacefield. Shad shares his experience teaching during the first year of the pandemic, where Shad dressed up in over 100 costumes to create a unique and engaging online learning experience for his students. Shad also explains ways he connects with his students to cel…

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S1-05. How does coding fit in the science classroom? A conversation with Ayanna Trejo 38:52

3+ y ago38:52

38:52

In this episode, Eric sits down with Aryanna Trejo, a professional learning specialist of Code.org. Aryanna shares her journey from working as an elementary teacher in New York City and Los Angeles to teaching other educators at Code.org. Eric and Aryanna chat about computer literacy within the science classroom, problem-solving skills, and ways to…

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S1-04. Connecting with students and caregivers in the science classroom: Ryan Renee Rudkin 39:09

3+ y ago39:09

39:09

In this special episode, 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 mem…

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S1-03. Ways to integrate literacy skills into a K—8 science classroom: Rebecca Abbott 45:26

3+ y ago45:26

45:26

In this episode, 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 s…

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S1-02. Community and joy within K-8 science instruction: Desiré Whitmore 47:14

3+ y ago47:14

47:14

In this episode, 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 impleme…

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S1-00. About Science Connections: The Podcast 4:31

3+ y ago4:31

4:31

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 scien…

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S1-01. The journey from student to SpaceX engineer: Juan Vivas 43:13

3+ y ago43:13

43:13

In this episode, host Eric Cross is joined by supply chain engineer Juan Vivas of SpaceX to explore his "origin story" 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…

K8 Science Instruction Podcasts

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Science Connections

Amplify Education

1
Phones, focus, and grit, with Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., on Beyond My Years 47:35

1
Beyond My Years is back: Season 2 trailer 2:32

1
The best of Beyond My Years (so far!) 3:47

1
Beyond My Years: Teaching with determination, starring Khamphet Pease 50:19

1
NEW! Beyond My Years: Teaching with heart, starring Joyce Abbott 49:49

1
Beyond My Years podcast trailer 3:28

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S3-08: Making science a superhero 58:35

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S3-07: Telling the story of science 50:11

1
S3-06: Identifying and addressing pseudoscience 56:15

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S3-05: Thinking is power 57:58

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S3-04: Using AI and ChatGPT in K–12 classrooms 1:01:37

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S3-03: Teacher tips for uniting science and literacy 44:09

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S3 - 02. How science strengthens literacy and language development 44:27

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S3 - 01. Science as the underdog, and the research behind it 45:31

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Winter Wrap-Up 03: Supporting students with a creative twist, feat. Shad Lacefield 32:18

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Winter Wrap-Up 02: Overcoming adversity in the classroom 30:07

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Winter Wrap-Up 01: Community and joy within K-8 science instruction 47:43

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S2-06: Making time for science in K–5 classrooms: Lauran Woolley 20:17

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S2-05: Moving students forward with project-based learning: Janis Lodge 25:45

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S2-04: Gamification in the K–8 classroom: Fabian Hofmann 27:51

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S2-03. Building meaningful student connections: Sharita Ware 24:26

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S2-02. Developing your own teaching style: Tips from a veteran teacher 25:20

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S2-01. How teachers are really feeling this school year 21:08

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S1-10. Empowering the science educator: Jessica Kesler 31:51

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S1-09. Supporting K–8 science students in the digital world: Ricky Mason 29:37

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S1-08. The importance of risk-taking in the science classroom, a conversation with Valeria Rodriguez 32:41

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S1-07. Overcoming adversity in the science classroom. A conversation with Joe McCormick 29:31

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S1-06. Supporting students with a creative twist: A conversation with Kentucky Science Teacher of the Year, Shad Lacefield 30:20

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S1-05. How does coding fit in the science classroom? A conversation with Ayanna Trejo 38:52

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S1-04. Connecting with students and caregivers in the science classroom: Ryan Renee Rudkin 39:09

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S1-03. Ways to integrate literacy skills into a K—8 science classroom: Rebecca Abbott 45:26

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S1-02. Community and joy within K-8 science instruction: Desiré Whitmore 47:14

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S1-00. About Science Connections: The Podcast 4:31

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S1-01. The journey from student to SpaceX engineer: Juan Vivas 43:13