ChangED

Andrew Kuhn & Patrice Semicek
  • 4.7 (19)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

ChangED is an educator based podcast for Pennsylvania teachers to learn more about the PA STEELS Standards and science in general.  It is hosted by Andrew Kuhn and Patrice Semicek.  

  1. STEELS, Science, And The Shift

    DEC 15

    STEELS, Science, And The Shift

    What did you think of the episode? Send us a text! Curiosity thrives when classrooms trade recipes for real experiences. We sit down with Kevin Murphy and Kaity Ferraro from Cheltenham to unpack how a district moves from “follow-the-steps” science to student-driven inquiry under STEELS—without burning teachers out. From the first messy pilot to a sustainable system, they show how small, intentional changes beat heroic sprints every time. Alignment becomes the multiplier. Administrators get trained on the resource and the pedagogy so walkthroughs recognize productive noise, open questions, and student talk as signs of learning. That shared understanding gives teachers permission to say “I don’t know—let’s test it,” and keeps evaluation from punishing the very behaviors STEELS asks for. Along the way, we share the human side—team dynamics, quick pivots, and even the icebreakers that spark laughter and honest debate—because culture is the infrastructure that makes a new model stick. If you care about science education that builds problem solvers, designers, and clear thinkers, this conversation offers a roadmap you can adapt tomorrow. Subscribe, share with a colleague who’s wrestling with STEELS, and leave a review to tell us the one 10% change you’re making next. Want to learn more about ChangED? Check out our website at: learn.mciu.org/changed

    34 min
  2. How A Teacher Of The Year Maximizes Classroom Impact

    DEC 1

    How A Teacher Of The Year Maximizes Classroom Impact

    What did you think of the episode? Send us a text! What happens when a celebrated classroom teacher steps onto the policy stage and brings the kids with him? We sit down with Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Leon Smith to trace the arc from daily bell schedules and ninth‑grade basketball practice to Capitol Hill meetings, op‑eds, and concrete fixes that help students and teachers thrive. Leon teaches AP U.S. History, AP African American Studies, and a pop culture elective, and he brings that breadth to a candid conversation about belief, representation, and the educator pipeline. He breaks down the subtle power of mentorship—naming potential students can’t yet see—while explaining why it scales only when systems value it. We dig into the real barriers to becoming a teacher: Praxis testing roadblocks, rigid GPA cutoffs, and the costly burden of unpaid student teaching. Leon offers practical alternatives like paid teacher residencies and apprenticeships that pair novices with master teachers and link coursework to authentic classrooms. If you care about recruiting diverse teachers, keeping great ones in the classroom, and making school feel like it belongs to students again, this conversation will meet you where you are and move you forward. Listen, share with a colleague, and tell us the one change you’ll try this week. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and leave a short review so more educators can find it. Want to learn more about ChangED? Check out our website at: learn.mciu.org/changed

    31 min
  3. Quiet Engine, Loud Impact

    NOV 17

    Quiet Engine, Loud Impact

    What did you think of the episode? Send us a text! Most people never see the machinery that keeps Pennsylvania’s schools running. We pull back the curtain with Dr. Mark Leidy, Executive Director of PAIU, to reveal how Intermediate Units quietly connect state policy to classroom reality for 500 districts—and why that “quiet engine” was straining under the budget impasse that froze both state and federally routed funds. We trace Mark’s path from middle school science teacher to superintendent to statewide leader and dig into the three pillars that guide IU work: advocacy to secure stable resources, networking to spread what works across regions, and innovation to meet needs that districts can’t shoulder alone. Our focus lands on Early Intervention, where the stakes are highest and the payoff is undeniable.  We also tackle school choice with a simple proposition: if we’re competing, let’s agree to common rules and transparent costs so dollars reach kids. As the nation nears its 250th year, Pennsylvania’s legacy in public education calls for a bold mindset: spend lavishly on learning where it matters most, and keep the engine running. If this conversation reshaped how you see IUs, early intervention, and funding, help us keep it moving—subscribe, share with a colleague or local leader, and leave a review with the one change you’d prioritize first. Want to learn more about ChangED? Check out our website at: learn.mciu.org/changed

    31 min
  4. ReIgniting Wonder: Why Schooling Shouldn't Kill Curiosity

    NOV 3

    ReIgniting Wonder: Why Schooling Shouldn't Kill Curiosity

    What did you think of the episode? Send us a text! Ever wondered why kindergartners bubble with questions while high schoolers barely raise their hands? This episode will explore phenomena-based learning.  We'll dive into how educators can reignite student curiosity by starting with observable events that naturally spark questions. "Phenomena doesn't have to be phenomenal to be something," as Andrew Kuhn wisely puts it. Our conversation reveals how everyday occurrences – from melting ice cubes to America's Got Talent performances – can launch powerful learning journeys. We share practical strategies for implementing this approach without completely reinventing your teaching practice, acknowledging that "it's a journey and the journey has to start somewhere." Whether you're a classroom teacher wondering how to get started or an educational leader looking to transform professional development, we offer insights on finding resources, overcoming common challenges, and applying this mindset across all subject areas. The most compelling aspect of phenomena-based learning may be its potential to reverse a troubling trend: research suggests that while kindergartners ask hundreds of questions daily, high schoolers ask just one question monthly. By creating space for curiosity and normalizing not having all the answers, we can help develop what were once called "soft skills" but are increasingly recognized as essential "power skills" for the 21st century. As one host (naturally everyone's favorite host) reflects, "I literally see the world this way now and I can't unsee it. I can't unbe interested, I can't unbe curious." Ready to transform your approach to teaching and learning? Listen now, and don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe to join us on this continuing journey of educational innovation. SHOW NOTES STEELS Hub Toolkit Want to learn more about ChangED? Check out our website at: learn.mciu.org/changed

    22 min
  5. October Is For Cybersecurity, Not Just Pumpkins

    OCT 20

    October Is For Cybersecurity, Not Just Pumpkins

    What did you think of the episode? Send us a text! Think banks have the toughest cyber problems? Our conversation with Shane and Tony from the MCIU tech team flips that assumption fast. K–12 is the most targeted sector in the U.S., and the reasons are both simple and sobering: sprawling device fleets, legacy systems, budget constraints, and a mission that demands access over friction. The path forward is thoughtful defaults, clear exceptions, and honest communication about why a block exists or a change is required. When people understand the reason, they adopt the rule—and stop turning to risky workarounds. Along the way, we share taglines, a few laughs, and a reminder that October’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a kickoff, not a finish line. If you care about keeping learning safe and systems resilient, don’t miss this one. Subscribe, share it with a colleague who clicks too fast, and leave a review with your best tip for spotting a phish—we’ll feature our favorites next week. Want to learn more about ChangED? Check out our website at: learn.mciu.org/changed

    26 min
  6. Preparing Students for THEIR future, Not OUR Past

    OCT 6

    Preparing Students for THEIR future, Not OUR Past

    What did you think of the episode? Send us a text! A simple line reframed our whole approach to teaching: prepare students for their future, not our past. Sitting down with Jeff Remington from Penn State’s CSATS, we dig into what that looks like when classrooms connect directly to research, industry, and the realities of Pennsylvania’s evolving economy. Instead of one‑off PDs and “random acts of STEM‑ness,” we talk about sustained, transdisciplinary learning built on real local phenomena—data centers, smart manufacturing, clean energy, life sciences—and the skills students actually use on the job. Jeff breaks down the new NSF‑supported STEM Teacher Corps, a multi‑year experience that pays and empowers elementary teachers to embed with researchers, return as regional leaders, and scale authentic project‑based learning. We explore convergence education—where science, math, engineering, tech, and even policy and communication blend into problems students can’t solve with a single subject. That mindset aligns cleanly with the STEELS standards’ performance expectations and higher Depth of Knowledge, shifting classrooms toward application, reasoning, and transfer. We also get practical with AI. Rather than banning or siloing it, we position AI as the fourth teammate in student groups: a guided thought partner that raises rigor and mirrors how modern teams work. With clear guardrails, students learn to prompt, verify, and reason—while teachers model ethical use and bridge a growing skills gap. Layer in Pennsylvania’s five economic pillars—agriculture, energy, manufacturing, robotics/AI/tech, and life sciences—plus environmental sustainability, and you have a roadmap for making learning local, meaningful, and career‑ready. If you’re ready to move from theory to practice, this conversation will give you concrete starts: choose a local phenomenon, map it to STEELS and the pillars, use AI to deepen inquiry, and build from there. Join us, share this with a colleague who’s hungry for real change, and subscribe so you never miss new ideas that help every student step into the future with confidence. To learn more information about CSATS or to stay up on their latest information, visit: CSTATS or find them on social media (Linked In, FaceBook, & Twitter) Want to learn more about ChangED? Check out our website at: learn.mciu.org/changed

    46 min
  7. Why Cross-Cutting Concepts Matter More Than Ever in the Age of AI

    SEP 22

    Why Cross-Cutting Concepts Matter More Than Ever in the Age of AI

    What did you think of the episode? Send us a text! What happens when we move beyond memorizing facts and formulas in science education? This conversation takes a deep dive into the transformative power of three-dimensional learning—a framework that balances knowing (disciplinary core ideas), thinking (cross-cutting concepts), and doing (science and engineering practices). For generations, science education has overemphasized the "knowing" dimension, leaving students with memorized facts but little understanding. Our hosts share personal experiences with traditional science education—from mindlessly copying answers from the back of physics textbooks to struggling through plant photosynthesis memorization—and contrast these with the rich learning that happens when students engage with scientific concepts more deeply. Through real-life classroom examples, we explore how even young learners can develop scientific thinking when given opportunities to observe, question, and discuss. This approach cultivates curiosity and problem-solving skills that traditional memorization-focused instruction often stifles. The conversation takes on additional urgency in the age of artificial intelligence. As AI increasingly handles knowledge-based tasks, the cross-cutting concepts—patterns, cause and effect, systems thinking, and more—become even more valuable. These thinking skills represent the uniquely human contribution to science that AI cannot replicate. Whether you're an educator looking to transform your science teaching or simply curious about how education is evolving to meet future demands, this discussion offers valuable insights into creating lifelong scientific thinkers who approach the world with genuine curiosity and the skills to explore independently. Listen, subscribe, and join us in rethinking science education for a world that increasingly values not just what you know, but how you think. Want to learn more about ChangED? Check out our website at: learn.mciu.org/changed

    22 min
  8. Clean-Shaven Science: Shock vs. Embrace

    SEP 8

    Clean-Shaven Science: Shock vs. Embrace

    What did you think of the episode? Send us a text! How do you react when faced with dramatic change? When podcast host Andrew unveiled his freshly-shaven face after six years with a beard, his co-hosts' contrasting reactions—shock versus casual acceptance—perfectly mirrored how educators respond to implementing the new Steels science standards. This lighthearted moment opens a thoughtful exploration of educational transformation. Just as Andrew's children barely recognized him without his beard, teachers implementing STEELS standards may find their classrooms looking unfamiliar. The 3-Dimensional approach of Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Cross-Cutting Concepts represents a fundamental shift in how science is taught and learned—not just another curriculum shuffle. Yet beneath the apparent upheaval lies an encouraging truth: many excellent teachers discover they're already incorporating elements of the standards, just not intentionally. As one teacher shared after implementing changes: "This is exactly what I was doing before. I just added a few more pieces. I made sure every student spoke, reflected on questions, and put up a driving question board." The difference was intentionality, not complete reinvention. Unlike many educational shifts that feel arbitrary, the STEELS standards represent research-based improvements designed to develop students who think deeply about science rather than merely memorizing facts. As you navigate this transition, remember that questions and skepticism are part of being a scientist—embrace the journey of discovery with your students. Have you started implementing STEELS standards in your classroom? Share your experiences with us on Spotify and join our conversation about transforming science education one small change at a time. Want to learn more about ChangED? Check out our website at: learn.mciu.org/changed

    24 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

ChangED is an educator based podcast for Pennsylvania teachers to learn more about the PA STEELS Standards and science in general.  It is hosted by Andrew Kuhn and Patrice Semicek.  

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew Kuhn & Patrice Semicek
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 ChangED
  • Show Website
    ChangED