The Science Teacher's Playbook

Bethany Badesso
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The Science Teacher's Playbook is your go-to resource for making science education engaging, effective, and exciting! Hosted by an experienced middle school science teacher, curriculum leader, and doctoral candidate, this podcast is packed with practical strategies, fresh ideas, and expert insights to help you bring science to life in your classroom. Whether you're looking for hands-on activities, three-dimensional teaching strategies, or ways to boost student engagement, this podcast has you covered. Tune in and get ready to level up your science teaching—one episode at a time!

  1. 40. Out With the Old: How STEELS Differs from the 2002 PA Science Standards

    16/04/2025

    40. Out With the Old: How STEELS Differs from the 2002 PA Science Standards

    Welcome to Episode 40 of The Science Teacher's Playbook Podcast! In this episode, we're breaking down the big shifts coming to Pennsylvania science education with the upcoming implementation of the STEELS Standards in July 2025. Whether you're new to STEELS or still working through what it means for your classroom, this episode offers a practical, teacher-centered overview of how these new standards compare to the 2002 PA Science Standards—and why the change is such a big deal. 🔍 In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Why STEELS is a framework, not just a checklist ✅ How engineering practices are now a core part of science learning ✅ Why depth > breadth when it comes to content coverage ✅ How STEELS pushes interdisciplinary thinking across science, math, and engineering ✅ The importance of aligning to current scientific practices and ideas 👩‍🏫 You'll also hear tips for how to get started now—even during this planning year—and why you don't need to buy a new program to get started with STEELS. (Spoiler: The state hasn't endorsed any curriculum yet. NONE!) 🔗 Resources mentioned: STEELS Standards Hub – PA Dept. of Ed. OpenSciEd – Free NGSS-Aligned Curriculum 🎧 Listen now and get inspired to take the first step toward a more modern, integrated, and student-centered approach to science teaching.   SHOW NOTES

    17 min

  2. 10/04/2025

    39. From Leadership to Buildership – Cultivating a Thriving Science Ecosystem

    What if we stopped treating leadership like a checklist and started thinking of it as an ecosystem? In this episode of The Science Teacher's Playbook, Beth dives into her transformation from traditional leadership to Buildership, exploring how she stopped managing teachers and started cultivating a thriving learning environment. Through insights from Stop Leading, Start Building by Robyn Jackson, Beth reframes leadership using an ecosystem model, where teachers, students, and professional learning thrive in a balanced, interconnected system. She breaks down her Science Department Buildership Plan, a 10-step framework designed to empower teachers, foster collaboration, and create a sustainable culture of growth—just like a thriving natural ecosystem. In this episode, you'll learn: Why compliance-based leadership is like a fragile monoculture 🌾 vs. a resilient, biodiverse ecosystem  The four key stages of Buildership and how they mirror natural system How Beth's 10-step Buildership Plan transformed her science department into a self-sustaining learning environment How to rewild your leadership approach by creating conditions for teachers to flourish instead of controlling them Tune in now to discover how you can stop leading and start building a science education ecosystem that thrives! Have thoughts or questions? DM Beth on Instagram @TheScienceTeachersPlaybook and share how you're growing your own educational ecosystem! Subscribe, rate, and review the podcast to help more educators cultivate lasting change! SHOW NOTES Check out the website https://thescienceteachersplaybook.com/ Follow on social at The Science Teacher's Playbook Instagram Facebook

    23 min
  3. 38. Driving Question Boards – Fueling Student Curiosity

    02/04/2025

    38. Driving Question Boards – Fueling Student Curiosity

    In this episode of The Science Teacher's Playbook, we're diving into one of the most powerful yet underused tools in the 3D science classroom: the Driving Question Board (DQB). These boards are more than a collection of questions—they're a living record of student thinking, wonderings, and discoveries that guide learning throughout a unit. You'll learn: What a DQB is and why it's a key part of NGSS/STEELS-aligned instruction. How to launch a DQB with a phenomenon that gets students asking deep, authentic questions. Tips for organizing, revisiting, and using student questions to shape investigations. Ways to increase student ownership and keep the DQB active—not just something that sits on the wall. We'll also share classroom-tested examples, practical management strategies, and a free DQB starter kit to get you going—plus a bonus paid resource packed with ready-to-use DQB templates and teacher guides. If you're ready to turn your science classroom into a space of genuine curiosity and student-driven learning, this episode is your playbook. SHOW NOTES Follow on social at The Science Teacher's Playbook Instagram Facebook Website  TpT Store

    7 min
  4. 37. The Power of Phenomena

    26/03/2025

    37. The Power of Phenomena

    In this episode of The Science Teacher's Playbook, we're unpacking one of the most powerful tools in 3D science instruction: phenomena. Whether it's a broken phone screen, a changing population of moths, or polluted local waterways, phenomena are what make science feel real to students. You'll learn: What makes a great phenomenon (and what doesn't). How to use phenomena to spark curiosity and drive inquiry. Where to find high-quality examples. Real-life classroom strategies to make phenomena the anchor of your lessons. We'll wrap up with a free planning tool to help you evaluate or design your own phenomena—and a bonus paid resource that gives you ready-to-go unit starters aligned to NGSS/STEELS. Whether you're new to phenomena or looking to level up your use of them, this episode will help you turn curiosity into meaningful science learning.   SHOW NOTES Check out my TPT resources for some great FREE and low cost resources! Follow on social at The Science Teacher's Playbook Instagram Facebook Website  TpT Store

    9 min
  5. 36. 3D Teaching and Why is Matters

    19/03/2025

    36. 3D Teaching and Why is Matters

    🎙️ In this episode, we're diving into 3D science teaching—what it is, why it matters, and how you can start incorporating it into your classroom. If you've ever been told to "make your lessons more 3D" but felt lost, this episode is for you! We'll break down Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs), Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), and Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) and explain how these dimensions work together to transform science education. You'll hear real classroom examples, practical starting points, and simple ways to shift from traditional teaching to an inquiry-based, 3D approach. By the end of this episode, you'll have concrete strategies to implement right away and a better understanding of why NGSS and PA STEELS emphasize 3D learning for modern classrooms. 🔎 What You'll Learn in This Episode: The 3 dimensions of 3D science teaching (SEPs, DCIs, CCCs) Why 3D learning is essential for student engagement and real-world problem-solving Examples of 3D teaching in action—from designing solutions for plastic pollution to exploring moon phases How to start small with simple strategies for implementing 3D learning in your classroom Resources and tools to help make NGSS and PA STEELS standards more accessible SHOW NOTES Elementary Teacher Cohort Calling all elementary science teachers! Are you feeling overwhelmed by NGSS and STEELS standards? This summer, I'm launching an exclusive cohort to help you bring 3D science learning to life in your classroom. You'll get live training, ready-to-use lesson plans, and personalized support to confidently implement the new standards. Spots are limited! Sign up will open soon so keep listening to future episodes or DM me @TheScienceTeachersPlaybook to learn more! Let's make science exciting and accessible for all students! Check out the website https://thescienceteachersplaybook.com/ Follow on social at The Science Teacher's Playbook Instagram Facebook

    8 min
  6. 35. Decoding the NGSS/STEELS Standards

    12/03/2025

    35. Decoding the NGSS/STEELS Standards

    Feeling overwhelmed by NGSS and STEELS standards? You're not alone! These 3D learning frameworks ask teachers to move beyond memorization and engage students in real-world science—but what does that actually look like in practice? In this episode, we break it all down: 🔬 What NGSS & STEELS actually are (and how they're different) 🎂 A simple "baking a cake" analogy to understand 3D learning 🚀 Easy ways to incorporate Science & Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas into your lessons 💡 Real-world examples, lesson ideas, and practical strategies to make 3D learning feel doable We'll also tackle common challenges—like finding time for 3D learning and assessing student understanding—and share solutions that actually work. Plus, don't miss our free NGSS/STEELS Cheat Sheet to help you get started! 🚀 Take the Challenge: Try ONE 3D learning strategy this week! Share your experience on Instagram @TheScienceTeachersPlaybookPod or email your questions to mrsbadessoteaches@gmail.com for a future Q&A episode! 🎧 Tune in now and start transforming your science teaching with confidence!   SHOW NOTES Elementary Teacher Cohort Calling all elementary science teachers! Are you feeling overwhelmed by NGSS and STEELS standards? This summer, I'm launching an exclusive cohort to help you bring 3D science learning to life in your classroom. You'll get live training, ready-to-use lesson plans, and personalized support to confidently implement the new standards. Spots are limited! Sign up will open soon so keep listening to future episodes or DM me @TheScienceTeachersPlaybook to learn more! Let's make science exciting and accessible for all students! Check out the website https://thescienceteachersplaybook.com/ Follow on social at The Science Teacher's Playbook Instagram Facebook

    12 min

  7. 05/03/2025

    34. The Relaunch! - Welcome to STPB!

    After a year-long break, The Science Teacher's Playbook is back! In this episode, Beth is sharing why she hit pause, what's been happening behind the scenes, and what you can expect moving forward. Whether you're a new listener or have been here since the beginning, this relaunch is all about fresh ideas, practical strategies, and real talk about teaching science. Tune in to hear about upcoming topics, new series, and how Beth plans to make this podcast more valuable than ever. Let's jump back in and level up science education together! Show Notes Check out the website www.mrsbadessoteaches.com Follow on social:  Instagram: @TheScienceTeachersPlaybook Facebook: The Science Teacher's Playbook

    5 min
  8. 33. 3 Quick Tips to Embrace the STEELS Standards

    06/03/2024

    33. 3 Quick Tips to Embrace the STEELS Standards

    You are listening to episode 33 of the ready, set, science podcast. Today is all about quick tips for getting started with the STEELS standards. Whether you like them or not these standards will be the new standards for science, technology, engineering and STEM teachers starting in July 2025. So what can you put into practice RIGHT now to start embracing these standards. This episode will outline 3 quick and easy things to do today. So are you ready? Get set. Let's teach science. Read the SHOW NOTES here   Check out the website www.mrsbadessoteaches.com Follow on social:  Instagram: @MrsBadessoTeaches Facebook: MrsBadessoTeaches Sign up for our email list here: https://forms.gle/yb2imYRH3zC4PdXh7   The links may be affiliate links. I earn a small commission from affiliate links to fund Mrs. Badesso Teaches. Thank you for your support!

    7 min
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About

The Science Teacher's Playbook is your go-to resource for making science education engaging, effective, and exciting! Hosted by an experienced middle school science teacher, curriculum leader, and doctoral candidate, this podcast is packed with practical strategies, fresh ideas, and expert insights to help you bring science to life in your classroom. Whether you're looking for hands-on activities, three-dimensional teaching strategies, or ways to boost student engagement, this podcast has you covered. Tune in and get ready to level up your science teaching—one episode at a time!

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