Secondary Science Simplified™

When I decided to do this series, I knew exactly what I was going to discuss when it came to the difficulties of teaching chemistry. Students get overwhelmed by all the math and more intense content that comes with this science discipline, particularly teaching stoichiometry. However, there are several things you can do to ease their stress and make this unit fun for your students. So, in today’s episode, I’m sharing 6 tips for teaching stoichiometry in your chemistry class.
There are a lot of concepts in chemistry that are difficult for students to grasp and understand, which is why it’s important to bring these up early or before you teach the content. Not only does this provide multiple opportunities to practice, but when it’s mentioned in the content, they already have seen it before. Additionally, teaching chemistry is more than just content. It’s teaching students problem-solving and critical thinking skills. And one of the best ways to achieve this is by incorporating real-world scenarios, labs, and activities in order for them to see the connection.
Even though your students may be apprehensive about the chemistry content, there are still things you can do to help alleviate and diminish their stress. By implementing these 6 tips and other pieces of advice, I hope to encourage you that teaching stoichiometry to your students will be fun and academic at the same time. Tune in next week for the last episode in the series about the difficult topics teaching physics.
Resources Mentioned:

• Free Science Halloween Resources
• Stoichiometry Unit - including Magnitude of a Mole
• Chemistry Curriculum - Full Year Bundle
• Introduction to Chemistry Unit
• Dimensional Analysis Activity - Fudge Lab Expansion Pack
• Free Science Winter Resources - including Hot Chocolate Lab Activity
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts

Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode101

TEACHER FRIENDS!! A new year means NEW podcast episodes, and I want to create episodes that serve you best, so I need to hear from you! Take 2-3 minutes to fill out this survey and be entered to win one of five $10 TpT gift cards!

https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/2025survey

Using phenomena is a great way to engage your students but it can be so overwhelming trying to figure out what to do or how to get started. If you’re using NGSS or other standards that utilize phenomena, but are struggling to incorporate them in a meaningful way, I’m going to break it down for you! In this episode, we’re diving into engaging students through phenomena.

Resources Mentioned:

• Next Generation Science Standards
• It’s Not Rocket Science Units
• Biology everyday phenomenon: Cancer Statistics
• Biology anchoring phenomenon: Comparing Genetics
• Ecosystem in a Bottle investigation
• Support and motion unit
• Anatomy everyday phenomena: Wellness Trends
• Anatomy everyday phenomena: Heart Health
• Antibiotic Resistance Lab
• Matter Unit
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

I want to hear from you! We are coming up on our 50th episode! To celebrate, I am doing an “ask me anything” episode where no topic is off limits. Submit any question you have by DM-ing me on Instagram or send me an email to [email protected].

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode45

TEACHER FRIENDS!! A new year means NEW podcast episodes, and I want to create episodes that serve you best, so I need to hear from you! Take 2-3 minutes to fill out this survey and be entered to win one of five $10 TpT gift cards!

https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/2025survey

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 group of students to make meaningful changes with the same class. In this episode, I’m sharing my top tips to help you hit the ground running this semester.
Whether you’re welcoming back familiar faces or meeting new ones, how you start this semester sets the tone for the months ahead. Your approach will depend on your goals and what you want to accomplish, so I’ve tailored specific strategies to fit different schedules. I’m also sharing recommendations for what to do on the very first day back to set yourself up for success.
➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode164
Resources:

• Virtual PD Courses for Teachers
• Winter Science Freebies
• FREE Biology Curriculum Pacing Guide
• FREE Chemistry Curriculum Pacing Guide
• FREE Anatomy & Physiology Curriculum Pacing Guide
• FREE Physical Science Curriculum Pacing Guide
• Heredity Unit
• Transport Unit
• Stoichiometry Unit
• Matter Unit
• Matter Lab Station Activity
• Waves Unit
• It’s Not Rocket Science Complete Units
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Related Episodes:

• Episode 143, My Top 5 Favorite Teacher Hacks for the New School Year
• Episode 141, First Day of School Tips + What I Cover in My First Units of the Year
• Episode 120, How to Cut Your Grading Time in Half
• Episode 60, Teaching with Packets - What They Are, Why I Love Them, and How to Use Them

TEACHER FRIENDS!! A new year means NEW podcast episodes, and I want to create episodes that serve you best, so I need to hear from you! Take 2-3 minutes to fill out this survey and be entered to win one of five $10 TpT gift cards!

https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/2025survey

We hear about teacher burnout all. the. time. You may even be feeling burnout and exhaustion right now. You are not alone, teacher friend! Whether you feel completely burned out or if you’re just feeling a little blah at this point in the year, our guest, Amber Harper of the Burned In Teacher is here to help!

We’ve been talking about scheduling rest and aligning your expectations with your current season of life but maybe you are still feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. You are not alone and there are ways that you can navigate your way out of burnout.

Amber is so encouraging to those of us feeling burnout and really challenges us to think more deeply about where we are. She is sharing her burnout story, what led her to leave the classroom and come back, what it means to be a Burned-In teacher, and advice for how to take action to change yourself and navigate your way out of burnout.

Amber Harper is a long-time educator, author, speaker, and podcaster. She’s the founder of www.burnedinteacher.com and author of Hacking Teacher Burnout which gives struggling teachers a path to follow as they navigate their way out of burnout. Amber is a Teacher Burnout Coach working with educators to help them grow through their burnout and take their next, best steps toward what they want from their career in education and in life.

If you find yourself feeling burned out and overwhelmed, join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist. I created this course specifically for the overwhelmed and burned out teacher and would love to have you next time the course opens so we can help you reduce the overwhelm.

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the Secondary Science Simplified virtual professional development course waitlist
• Grab your Classroom Reset Challenge
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.

Check out the show notes for all resources mentioned in this episode: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode59

TEACHER FRIENDS!! A new year means NEW podcast episodes, and I want to create episodes that serve you best, so I need to hear from you! Take 2-3 minutes to fill out this survey and be entered to win one of five $10 TpT gift cards!

https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/2025survey

As teachers, we know that our time is valuable and we try to create that perfect work-life balance. However, time dedicated to instruction, engaging activities, and other teaching-related tasks can consume our time in and outside the classroom. But you can decrease the amount of time you spend on one task that will save you more time and energy, which is grading!
Now, I know that grading is a mandatory and necessary component of teaching, but the amount of time teachers are spending on grading student work is way too much. I believe that there are ways you can truly stop grading everything while still having multiple preps and higher-level AP courses. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how to achieve this, two of the biggest criticisms I get, and my solutions to each.
Once you decrease the amount you’re grading, you will begin to see how it benefits both you and your students. Yes, I said students! They will appreciate your more timely feedback and get a more energized and recharged teacher, which ultimately impacts your instruction and activities.
Although the concept of not grading every assignment is scary, I promise it will be life-changing. I am living proof that this philosophy works, which has helped me create a more balanced work and home life, which also benefits my students. Join me in my grading challenge of collecting 1 thing per class per week and watch this simple change make a huge difference in your life!
Resources Mentioned:

• Bell Ringers for Biology, Physical Science, and Anatomy
• Join me for my Summer PD
• Episode 4, Engaging Your Students in the First 5 Minutes of Class
• Episode 94, How to Deal with Cheating in Your High School Science Classes
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: [email protected]
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts

Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode95

TEACHER FRIENDS!! A new year means NEW podcast episodes, and I want to create episodes that serve you best, so I need to hear from you! Take 2-3 minutes to fill out this survey and be entered to win one of five $10 TpT gift cards!

https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/2025survey