Secondary Science Simplified™
Secondary Science Simplified is a podcast specifically for high school science teachers that will help you to engage your students AND simplify your life as a secondary science educator. Each week Rebecca, from It's Not Rocket Science, and her guests will share practical and easy-to-implement strategies for decreasing your workload so that you can stop working overtime and start focusing your energy doing what you love - actually teaching! Teaching doesn't have to be rocket science, and you'll learn exactly what you need to do to simplify your secondary science teaching life so that you can enjoy your life outside of school even more. Head to itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/challenge to grab your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
Episodes
189 episodes
188. True Life: I Teach a Course With a High-Stakes Test and Don’t Care About It
“Help! I teach a course with a high-stakes test that I do not care about at all, but I need to care about it. How can I make myself care?” If you've ever felt this way, this episode is for you. In this True Life: Teacher Confessions ep...
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14:51
187. True Life: I’m Drowning
Are you juggling multiple preps across several grade levels, trying to run labs every week, and still show up for your family? Feeling overwhelmed by unrealistic admin expectations and a lack of student accountability? If it all feels like too ...
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18:55
186. True Life: I Am a Science Teacher Who Hates Labs
Do you find yourself absolutely dreading lab days? If so, you’re in good company. I’m kicking off a new series of Teacher True Life Confessions, and today’s episode is inspired by several of you who were brave enough to admit that you HATE lab ...
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21:50
185. When Is Preparation Worth It, and When Is It a Pipe Dream?
Feeling torn between getting ahead on lesson plans and fully embracing summer break? That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode. Inspired by a thoughtful listener question, I’m sharing a realistic and flexible approach to summer plan...
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29:51
184. End the Year Organized: Your Methods for Management
In this final episode of the “End Your Year Organized” series, we’re wrapping up by reflecting on the classroom management methods you used this year. I’m walking you through six simple but powerful reflection questions to help you evaluate wha...
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16:05
183. End the Year Organized: Your Classroom
Feeling buried in classroom clutter? Let’s fix that, before summer break hits! Last week, we talked all about organizing your digital and paper teaching resources so you’re not d...
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22:47
182. End the Year Organized: Your Resources
Feeling overwhelmed by a mountain of digital files, paper stacks, and half-used lab materials? In this kickoff episode of the “End the Year Organized” series, I’m sharing practical strategies to help you wrap up the school year with intention a...
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24:46
181. What to Do When Your Job Feels Stale (And Maybe Even Boring)
Teaching can feel like driving on autopilot - same route, same scenery, same old routine. So what happens when that journey starts to feel monotonous and uninspiring? In today’s conversation, I dive deep into a feeling that every teacher experi...
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27:54
180. Unpacking the NGSS With Christina Agurcia of Make Them Think
Over the past few episodes, we’ve been diving into all things NGSS, and it’s time to wrap up the series with someone who’s not only in the classroom but has been using the NGSS for the last decade! The Next Generation Science Standards are all ...
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30:29
179. Unpacking the NGSS: Phenomena and Storylines
Ever feel like your students are just going through the motions - memorizing facts without really connecting to what they're learning? I think we can all agree that we want our students to be able to apply their learning to real world context! ...
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26:03
178. Unpacking the NGSS: SEPs and CCCs
In part two of our NGSS series, we’re diving into its three-dimensional nature —specifically, SEPs (Science and Engineering Practices) and CCCs (Crosscutting Concepts). You’ll hear my take on what they are and how you can practically teach them...
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29:03
177. Unpacking the NGSS: What High School Science Teachers Need to Know
Navigating the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode, I break down the three pillars of NGSS as I see them. I also share what I love about NGSS, where I think it falls short, ...
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28:09
176. Teaching AP Biology, Exam Review, FRQ Prep and MORE With Tiffany of AP Bio Penguins
AP Biology comes with big challenges—pacing, labs, and preparing students for that exam. But today’s guest, Tiffany from AP Bio Penguins, is here to help! Tiffany shares her best strategies for structuring class time, simplifying labs,...
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56:28
175. How and WHY I Teach Students to Take Notes
Whether we like it or not, teaching students to take notes is an important part of being a high school teacher! Is that an unpopular opinion? Maybe, but I still stand by it! Beyond just understanding the content, strong note-taking skills set s...
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21:50
174. 7 Ways to Teach Your Students to Use AI Productively
Is AI the future of learning or just another way for students to cut corners? In this episode, we’re talking all about how to help students use AI in a way that actually benefits their learning - without letting it do all the thinking for them....
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20:20
173. 9 Quick Ways to Use AI to Simplify Your Life as a Teacher
Imagine having a virtual assistant to help with lesson plans, assessments, and student feedback. AI can make that a reality! In this episode, I’m sharing nine practical ways to use AI to streamline your workload, from generating transcripts to ...
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22:04
172. Content-Specific Differentiation Tips
In the final episode of our differentiation series, I’m sharing practical strategies for implementing content-specific differentiation. Whether you teach biology, chemistry, anatomy, or physical science, you’ll learn how to prioritize key conce...
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27:19
171. Differentiating Within One Class Period (And How to Not Make It Obvious)
Are you juggling a dozen different learning needs in one class period? You’re not alone! Differentiation can seem daunting, especially when you’re trying to support all students without making it obvious. In the fourth episode in our differenti...
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37:53
170. Differentiating for Lower Achieving Students (Without Lowering the Bar)
Struggling to support lower-achieving students without lowering the bar? In this episode, I share nine practical strategies for using scaffolding and intentional support to help all students reach their full potential. These tips aren’t about m...
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28:21
169. Differentiating for Higher Achieving Students (That Isn’t Just Extra Work)
In last week’s episode, I talked through practical ways to meet your students’ diverse needs without burning out. When it comes to planning, It’s common to put the majority of yo...
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23:25
168. Differentiation in Your Science Classroom - Simple Tips to Decrease Overwhelm
Differentiation in your science classroom doesn’t have to feel overwhelming! In this episode, I share practical strategies to meet your students’ diverse needs without burning out. By shifting your mindset and focusing on sustainable practices,...
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24:43
167. Teacher Mental Health With Guest Dr. Hayley Watson
Teaching comes with relentless demands. Stress levels are high, burnout feels all too familiar, and breaks never seem long enough! These challenges take a serious toll on mental health, making it crucial for educators to learn effective strateg...
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42:40
166. How to Use Your Students to Work Smarter Rather Than Harder
Teachers are always balancing a mountain of responsibilities while trying to create more time for themselves and their families. Finding the perfect work/life balance and mastering time management can feel like a never-ending challenge. But wha...
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20:07
165. How Naming What Matters Most Can Change the Rest of Your School Year
If you’ve been wondering where your “new year, new you” pep talk was, well you’re getting it in this episode! I love taking the opportunity to reflect, plan, dream, and set goals all year, but especially at the start of the new year. And while ...
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24:20
164. My Top Tips for Kicking Off a New Semester
Happy New Year, teacher friends! Can you believe we’re kicking off the FOURTH year of this podcast? Let’s celebrate with a super practical and helpful episode. As the new semester begins, it’s the perfect opportunity to start fresh with a new g...
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29:10