Wonder, Discovery, Engagement -- Adventures in STEM Learning with "America's Science Teacher" Steve Spangler

11/30/22 • 50 min

1 Listener

Wonder, discovery, engagement -- and we don't blow anything up! Spend an hour with the incomparable Steve Spangler as we discuss ways to build connections between science, STEM, and literacy across the curriculum. You'll leave with a renewed sense of joy and possibility -- and an eagerness to play! It's definitely a #bestdayever kind of podcast.

With more than 1,600 television appearances and multiple Emmy awards to his credit, Steve is also a regular guest on the Ellen DeGeneres Show where she dubbed him America’s Science Teacher. Steve’s catalog of videos on social media have more than 1 billion views (yes, that's BILLION with a B)! Steve's show, DIY Sci, is currently in its sixth season. But Steve feels most at home when he’s on stage sharing insights and creating those amazing experiences audiences remember for a lifetime.

On a personal note, I am honored to call Steve my mentor and friend, and I am very excited to share this conversation about the importance of engagement and connection. He and his fabulous team, Carly Reed and Bryan Higgins, worked with me to produce the Beyond Ever After online video course and Steve invited me to speak at his signature event, Science in the Rockies.

[00:51] How do we build connections in a way that places science front and center -- and is meaningful for students and teachers?

[03:14] "If It Gets to the Dinner Table, You Win."

[06:44] How do we build connections, engagement, and experiences?

[12:18] Great experiences are always framed with significance.

[14:05] How can we help educators get excited about science and find ways to build connections across the curriculum so that it has that moment of engagement and wow and power?

[18:00] Building Engagement Through Social Media

[21:42] Making Teaching Fun Again

[25:49] People, Process, Product, and PRESENTATION (The 4th P)

[32:40] What are the biggest surprises so far in your adventure in learning?

[42:16] What currently brings you joy?

[47:01] What encouragement or hope can you offer to educators?

Follow me on Instagram or Facebook as I explore the amazing science and mysterious beauty of Antarctica in December.

Stay tuned for the final two podcast episodes of Season 1, featuring Jenna Barricklo and Chris Kesler. We will take a short break and resume in January 2023.

Visit the

Support the show

Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

Send us a text

[00:51] How do we build connections in a way that places science front and center -- and is meaningful for students and teachers?

[03:14] "If It Gets to the Dinner Table, You Win."

[06:44] How do we build connections, engagement, and experiences?

[12:18] Great experiences are always framed with significance.

[14:05] How can we help educators get excited about science and find ways to build connections across the curriculum so that it has that moment of engagement and wow and power?

[18:00] Building Engagement Through Social Media

[21:42] Making Teaching Fun Again

[25:49] People, Process, Product, and PRESENTATION (The 4th P)

[32:40] What are the biggest surprises so far in your adventure in learning?

[42:16] What currently brings you joy?

[47:01] What encouragement or hope can you offer to educators?

Follow me on Instagram or Facebook as I explore the amazing science and mysterious beauty of Antarctica in December.

Stay tuned for the final two podcast episodes of Season 1, featuring Jenna Barricklo and Chris Kesler. We will take a short break and resume in January 2023.

Visit the

Support the show

Previous Episode

Building Connections through Nonfiction Storytelling: Meet Award-Winning Author Candace Fleming

1 Recommendations

Send us a text

How do we help young (and not so young) truth seekers make connections, build context, and satisfy their curiosity? Nonfiction storyteller extraordinaire Candace Fleming joins us to discuss the power of nonfiction storytelling for building connections, the importance of asking questions, and the power of vital ideas in creating works of nonfiction that kids (and their adults) want to read. Among her nonfiction titles are Giant Squid, Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart, and The Family Romanoff.. Most recently, she's published The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindberg, which won the 2021 YALSA Excellence in nonfiction and Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera, the winner of the 2021 Sibert Medal. She also just recently published Crash From Outer Space and Polar Bear. I had a wonderful time talking truth, fiction, and everything in between with Candace Fleming.
[01:41] Why write nonfiction? And how do you write for diverse audiences that range from preschool to high school?

The reason I write for middle school and middle school and high school nonfiction is because I think they have plenty of facts to hand, but they don't have any context. And I also think that that is an age group that are seeking facts. They're looking, actively looking. They are truth seekers.

[05:27] How does creative nonfiction help build connections? Crash From Outer Space

I ask myself, what does this piece of history have to say? What does this piece of history have to say to how we live today? What echoes? What hooks?

[10:18] How do you structure nonfiction to keep readers engaged while providing confidence that what they are reading is factual?

[11:56] Building Creative Nonfiction Through Vital Ideas

[14:25] What happens when research shifts the vital idea? Faberge Eggs and The Family Romanoff

[23:27] Sparking Science Wonder Through Nonfiction Picture Books or Giant Squid, Honeybee , and Polar Bear, Oh My!

[32:10] What is it like collaborating with real-life partner Eric Rohmann?

[34:57] Origin Stories: Candy's "I'm a Liar" Story aka the Three-Legged C

Support the show

Next Episode

Outside the Box: Adventures with Chris Kesler of Kesler Science

Send us a text

It will not surprise you that Where the Wild Things was Chris Kesler's favorite book as a child. Outside the box thinking is a hallmark of his career. This self-admitted challenging student took many paths on his adventures in learning before becoming a middle school science teacher. Underwhelmed by the resources available to him, he built hands-on and engaging science lessons that transformed engagement and learning in his classroom and school. Those lessons form the backbone of Kesler Science, which currently provides quality, interactive science curriculum to more than 100,000 science teachers in all 50 states. Join us for a conversation about the challenges facing teachers today, as well as some exciting ideas to help lift and support them.
Follow me on Instagram or Facebook as I explore the amazing science and mysterious beauty of Antarctica in December.

Next week is the final podcast episode of Season 1, featuring Charleston Stage teaching artist Jenna Barricklo. We will take a short break and resume in January 2023. In the meantime, enjoy the 21 amazing individuals who shared their stories on the first season of Adventures in Learning. If there are guests you would like to hear from in the new year, please drop us a line. We'd love to hear from you.

Support the show

Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning - Wonder, Discovery, Engagement -- Adventures in STEM Learning with "America's Science Teacher" Steve Spangler

Transcript

[00:01] Dr. Diane: Wonder, curiosity, connection. Where will your adventures take you? I'm Dr. Diane and thank you for joining me on today's episode of Adventures in Learning. Alright, so welcome to the Adventures in Learning podcast. Our guest today is the spectacular Steve Spangler. You know him from TikTok. You know him