The “new year, fresh start” energy feels exciting, but can also be overwhelming! This episode cuts through the noise with a refreshingly simple approach to goal setting. Instead of complicated systems, you’ll focus on just two questions: what you want to do more of this year and what you want to do less of, both personally and in your science classroom. We’ll talk about prioritizing yourself, identifying energy and time drains, getting specific with your goals, and making small, flexible shif...
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The “new year, fresh start” energy feels exciting, but can also be overwhelming! This episode cuts through the noise with a refreshingly simple approach to goal setting. Instead of complicated systems, you’ll focus on just two questions: what you want to do more of this year and what you want to do less of, both personally and in your science classroom. We’ll talk about prioritizing yourself, identifying energy and time drains, getting specific with your goals, and making small, flexible shif...
As we continue our end-of-year countdown, week three highlights one of 2025’s top episodes featuring Tiffany of AP Bio Penguins, an AP Biology teacher with 13 years of experience and a passion for creating free, high-impact review resources. In this conversation, Tiffany shares how her popular account began, her commitment to equity and access in AP prep, and practical strategies for simplifying labs, FRQs, grading, and student motivation. From managing double-block content to keeping assignm...
In December, we’re airing the top five most-played episodes of the year - and this conversation with Macee Huseman easily earned its spot! As a one-woman science department juggling six preps and three kids at home, Macee balances a heavy workload while still staying sane. We dig into everything from engaging students across multiple science subjects to using labs, routines, and even candy to spark curiosity. She also shares practical strategies for classroom management, grading, handling var...
December is here, and we’re kicking off the month by bringing back your most-loved, most-listened-to episodes of Secondary Science Simplified to make the holiday chaos feel a little lighter! This week’s replay dives into practical, high-impact ways to differentiate for high achievers - without busywork or burnout. You’ll learn how to craft more challenging assessments, build a classroom culture that fosters autonomy and peer support, and weave in student choice, inquiry, and meaningful extens...
AI may be getting better every day, but it’s still not coming for my job anytime soon - because, well…it struggles with science! While it can’t write a reliable test or answer key, it can make day-to-day teaching easier in some surprisingly helpful ways. In this episode, I’m sharing four new strategies for using AI alongside the It’s Not Rocket Science® curriculum (or any curriculum you’re working with). These tools won’t replace great teaching, but they can definitely feel like a tiny assist...
Anatomy holds a special place in my heart, and in this episode, I share how I teach it and why I designed the It’s Not Rocket Science® Anatomy curriculum the way I did. I focus on sparking curiosity, weaving in three big themes, and prioritizing breadth over depth (hot take!). You’ll hear how this hands-on, student-centered curriculum engages learners with discovery stations, model-building, and real-world skills, all designed to make students fall in love with the human body. ➡️ Show Notes: ...
Are constant disruptions messing up your perfectly planned weeks? You’re not alone! When I taught at small schools in particular, it often felt like every week held a new disruption. Between spirit weeks, fire drills, and field trips, I sometimes wondered if I’d ever get a “normal” week with my students! In this episode, I'm sharing five practical tips for lesson planning that will keep learning moving even when weeks don’t go as planned. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.co...
No matter how far we are into the school year, those dreaded surprise parent emails can still hit your inbox, often full of big emotions and even bigger accusations. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most challenging parts of teaching: handling combative parents with confidence and professionalism. I’m sharing six practical strategies (plus two important warnings) to help you stay calm, protect your peace, and respond in ways that preserve relationships without sacrificing your boun...
Today’s the day! I’m finally doing a deep dive into my number one classroom procedure: PRIME TIMES®. I share the origin story, why they’re essential for classroom management and formative assessment, and practical strategies for making them work in any secondary science classroom. You’ll learn how to overcome common challenges like missing papers, time limits, absences, and accommodations, plus tips for adapting Prime Times® to fit your schedule and students’ needs. This episode is your compl...
Cell phone policies are one of the most debated topics for secondary teachers, and for good reason! They’re tough to get right. In this episode, I’m sharing my honest experiences with different approaches, what’s worked (and what’s totally failed), and the key factors to consider before setting your own rules. We’ll talk about how your personality, classroom values, and admin support all play a role, plus why engaging, purposeful learning is the best deterrent to constant phone use. You’ll al...
Once the school year is in full swing, meeting every learner’s needs can feel impossible, especially when it comes to supporting English learners. In this episode, I sit down with Risa Woods from Every Teacher for a conversation that’s equal parts practical and encouraging. Together, we dig into common misconceptions about who English learners are, why translation isn’t always the answer, and how focusing on academic language can be a total game-changer. Risa shares simple, actionable strateg...
One of the toughest realities for teachers is realizing that your students are already behind before the year even begins. That’s exactly what we’re tackling in this episode. Last week, we talked about how to handle things when students fail a test at the end of a unit, but this week, I’m flipping the script (thanks to another great listener question!) and asking: what do you do when you realize that your students don’t have the background knowledge or skills they need to be successful i...
Raise your hand if you've been called “the mean teacher” for holding firm on test policies! In this episode, we dive into what to do when students fail a test, from deciding on retakes or corrections to analyzing trends in student performance and reteaching where needed. You’ll hear practical tips for breaking down assessments by concept, setting up your gradebook to support real learning, and keeping clear boundaries that help students succeed without sacrificing your sanity. ➡️ Show Notes: ...
AI is everywhere right now, and if you’ve been feeling both curious and overwhelmed, you’re not alone! In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Bickerstaff, a former high school biology teacher and co-founder of AI for Education, for a conversation about AI in the classroom. We explore why AI literacy is becoming a core skill for both teachers and students, how it’s reshaping traditional assignments like lab reports, and the surprising ways it can actually spark more creativity and inquiry. Aman...
Can you believe it?! We’ve officially hit the 200th episode of Secondary Science Simplified AND crossed over 200,000 listens — what a milestone! I’m so grateful for every teacher who tunes in and makes this community so special. To celebrate, I’m bringing back one of my favorite formats: an “Ask Me Anything” episode where I answer your top questions about classroom culture, student engagement, meaningful labs, department dynamics, NGSS overload, and more. ➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketsc...
Work-life balance…it’s the unicorn we’re all chasing, isn’t it? In this episode, I’m sharing the practical strategies and mindset shifts that have helped me finally keep work at work. From being ruthless about what you grade, setting up overflow days, and maximizing your planning period, to outsourcing tasks and shifting classroom culture, you’ll walk away with realistic habits to lighten your load. Plus, I’ll share simple boundary-setting tools and reframes to protect your mental space, so y...
It’s September, which means it’s time for your annual pep talk, teacher friend! In this episode, I’m sharing the one message every secondary science teacher needs to hear as the school year kicks off. We’ll talk about the unique challenges you face, why boundaries and clarity matter, and how to model humanity and humility in your classroom. Plus, I’ll walk you through a simple exercise to brain dump your goals, assess your current season, and limit your priorities this year so you can let go ...
August is wild because some of you are squeezing out those last drops of summer, while others are already knee-deep in grading. Wherever you are on that back-to-school spectrum, one thing is for sure: at some point this year, you’ll be staring down an unmotivated student (or ten!). In this episode, I’m sharing four practical tips to boost engagement, starting with a mindset check to make sure you’re not working harder than your students when it comes to caring. From highlighting course requir...
Grading doesn’t have to take over your nights and weekends! In this episode, I’m sharing six practical grading game changers that helped me simplify my workload without lowering my standards. You’ll learn how to define your grading philosophy, reduce what you collect, give meaningful feedback faster, and keep students engaged, even when you're not grading everything. Plus, I’m breaking down how strategies like Prime Times and constant vigilance can make daily assessment and classroom manageme...
Confession time: I’ve been gatekeeping this conversation with Mandy Farrar because it’s that perfect for the start of the school year. Mandy, a high school chemistry and physics teacher, shares her simple yet highly effective system for parent communication, built from her own early struggles and refined into a clear, repeatable process. From starting the year with positive outreach to using email templates and data-driven language for tough conversations, this episode is packed with actionab...
Back-to-school season is the perfect time to breathe new energy into your classroom, and one of the most powerful ways to do that is through inquiry-based learning. In this episode, I’m sharing why inquiry matters, why students often push back against it, and how you can scaffold it to feel less intimidating for everyone. I’ll break down what inquiry actually means, offer my honest take on the 5E instructional model, and give you five simple, actionable strategies to help you make inquiry the...
The “new year, fresh start” energy feels exciting, but can also be overwhelming! This episode cuts through the noise with a refreshingly simple approach to goal setting. Instead of complicated systems, you’ll focus on just two questions: what you want to do more of this year and what you want to do less of, both personally and in your science classroom. We’ll talk about prioritizing yourself, identifying energy and time drains, getting specific with your goals, and making small, flexible shif...
