iExploreScience: STEM in Elem
iExploreScience: STEM in Elem is for upper elementary teachers — especially grades 3–5 —who want to make elementary science and math more engaging, without adding more prep or overwhelm to their day. If you’re looking for practical ways to bring STEM and hands-on learning into your classroom while still meeting standards like NGSS, this podcast is for you.
Each week, you’ll get (ideally) short, (always!) actionable episodes (about 15–30 minutes) filled with classroom-tested ideas you can actually use. From simple STEM challenges and low-prep science activities to math routines, lab management, and neurodivergent-friendly strategies, everything is designed to help you keep students thinking, moving, and engaged—especially during the most challenging times of the year.
You’ll also hear honest reflections from real classroom experiences, with a focus on what works (and what doesn’t) in my 5th grade science and math classroom — no perfection required.
I’m Nicole, and I share practical, hands-on science and math ideas designed specifically for upper elementary teachers who want engaging, rigorous lessons without the overwhelm.
iExploreScience: STEM in Elem
02 Ideas for the Week(s) of Testing
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Testing season is a lot. This episode is for the days before, during, and after the test — what to actually do with your class when the schedule is weird, the kids are anxious, and your attention is divided seventeen ways at once.
I walk through my favorite low-prep strategies for each phase of testing season, talk about what works with kids who may struggle with long stretches of quiet independent work (aka standardized tests 😂), and share the thinking behind why the community stuff matters just as much as the academic stuff in these weeks.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- why testing week is harder to manage than people admit — and what actually helps
- before the test: the "I've Got This" sticky note wall, breathing practice, and letter to future self
- during test week: STEM bins, nature journaling
- after the test: open STEM free build
- why the community stuff isn't fluff — it's the foundation
FREE DOWNLOAD — Testing Week Activity Menu: A one-page printable with every idea from this episode plus more — organized by phase, with a time estimate and materials list for each one. Free for Substack subscribers. 👉 Subscribe and download here: [your Substack URL]
LINKS MENTIONED:
📬 iExploreScience Substack — free weekly newsletter and resources for grades 3–5 teachers: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
🎧 Teaching Science In 3D: Bringing Nature Journals Into Your 3D Teaching
📬 Stay Connected
- 📰 Substack: https://iexplorescience.substack.com/
- 🛍️ TpT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/iexplorescience
- 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iexplorescience/
- 👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iexplorescience/
- 💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolevantassel/