It's Time for Science

It's Time for Science is back in 2025 to celebrate being FOSS awarded a design review badge by Johns Hopkins University! Host Tom Racine talks with Dr. Steven Ross and Dr. Alan Reid from Johns Hopkins, before having a conversation with FOSS director Linda De Lucchi. Steven M. Ross, PhD is a professor and Executive Director at the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Ross is the author of six textbooks and over 140 journal articles in the areas of educational technology, at-risk learners, educational reform, extended learning time programs, and research and evaluation. He is a noted lecturer on school programs and educational evaluation, Editor Emeritus of the research section of the Educational Technology Research and Development journal, and a member of the editorial board for four other professional journals. He was the first faculty recipient of The University of Memphis Eminent Faculty Award for teaching, research and service, and held the Lillian and Morrie Moss Chair of Excellence in Urban Education and a Faudree Professorship at The University of Memphis. In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious Michael Spector Career Achievement Award from the Association of Educational Communications and Technology. He has testified on school restructuring research before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Youth, and Families, has been a consultant to the National Science Foundation on project evaluation design, and is a technical advisor and researcher on current national initiatives regarding the evaluation of out-of-school learning, STEM instruction, technology integration, and social-emotional learning. Alan J. Reid, PhD is an assistant research scientist at the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University. He specializes in mixed-methods evaluation research in the fields of instructional design, STEM, and educational technology. He has published several books, journal articles, and book chapters that explore the intersectionality between technology, human behavior, and learning. Dr. Reid continues to teach graduate courses in research writing, instructional design, and educational research at various institutions. Learn more about Dr. Reid here: https://alanjreid.my.canva.site/ Tom and Drs. Ross and Reid discuss FOSS Pathways being awarded the Instructional Design Review FOSS Pathways (PK-5) Tier 4 ESSA badge. They discuss the importance of curriculum design and evaluation; how the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins works to support the publishing industry to evaluate their own curricula and the importance of said curricula being scientifically based and able to be refined over time. They discuss what is involved in the design review process and what the tiers of evidence of ESSA mean; and how ESSA tier 4 is a good foundational basis for a curriculum. They discuss the badge as a type of accreditation for school districts, allowing schools to be able to validate a program; what made FOSS Pathways stand out; specific elements and rubrics from the evaluation process; and the challenges teachers and administrators face in having to continually adjust to policy changes. They close with talking about the value of these types of reviews, not just for teachers and administrators, but for students; the badge lets users know that a product has been vetted by an experienced third party (a validation that certain elements exist within the product awarded a badge). Linda De Lucchi is co-founder and director of the Full Option Science System Project (FOSS K–8). She has developed instructional materials in K–8 science education (FOSS), environmental education (OBIS), health education (HAP Project), and special education (SAVI/SELPH) for 50 years at the Lawrence Hall of Science. In addition to curriculum development, Ms. De Lucchi has directed numerous teacher pre

This month on It's Time for Science, it's time to talk about ELD (English language development) and science instruction! Host Tom Racine talks with Diana B. Vélez and Veronica Gallardo. Diana B. Vélez is a curriculum developer and professional learning provider for the Full Option Science System Project (FOSS K–8) at the Lawrence Hall of Science. She specializes in English language development and the integration of literacy in science teaching and learning. Ms. Vélez assists in the development and implementation of FOSS instructional materials and creates pedagogical resources that support access and equity. She also leads professional learning experiences for educators, administrators, families, and community members using FOSS instructional materials to develop scientific literacy, teacher capacity, and systemic change in schools and districts across the country and internationally. Before coming to the Lawrence Hall of Science, Ms. Vélez was the instructional leader for a science-centered elementary school in Oakland, California and was a founding-member and teacher in a Spanish dual-immersion program. Veronica Gallardo is a bilingual reading specialist and science consultant. In the last fifteen years, she has held multiple professional and volunteer roles; a kindergarten, first grade, and middle school teacher, a site administrator for two elementary schools, and volunteers her time in support of community literacy initiatives. She holds a Master of Science, Literacy and Reading, a Certificate in Education Finance, and the following CA credentials: multiple subject, reading specialist, and administrative. She can be reached at www.readingliteracyspecialists.com Tom talks with Ms. Vélez and Ms. Gallardo about the importance of connecting ELD and science instruction; the correlation of oral vocabulary and the ability to read words; and the research and experience supporting active science as one of the best places to develop language skills. They go into depth discussing the relationship between the FOSS Project and Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD): FOSS has existing resources for ELD and ELA instruction and worked with SBUSD to help create lessons and units that aligned with the FOSS curriculum. They talk about looking deeper at why are kids talking?; are they explaining, analyzing, arguing?; how kids learn best while learning in context; the importance of oral learning for all students; and how impactful it is for teachers to see what their students are capable of when given the chance. Ms. Gallardo and Ms. Vélez provide some examples from working with students, and how invigorating it is to see the connections students are able to make. They close the discussion talking about equity in the classroom connected to speaking/reading/listening/writing all in tandem with doing science; how there is variability in the rate of development for all students; focussing on having a shared experience where all students can engage; and the importance of focussing on the the needs of particular students so that you can know what those students need to fully participate and be able to access the curriculum. Producer David Lippman also has a few words about Amy Tan's amazing book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, published by Knopf. It's Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We'd love to hear from you! Look for School Specialty and FOSS on Twitter and Facebook. It's Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science System (FOSS) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.

This month on It's Time for Science, it's time to talk about Implementation Strategies! Host Tom Racine talks with Nicole Krefting who is the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator for Grand Forks Public Schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Tom and Nicole discuss tips on Implementation strategies and steps needed when implementing a full science curriculum. They discuss the importance of a professional learning plan and creating a true partnership that will allow for successful implementation throughout the entire district. They also talk about the importance of supporting teachers throughout the integration process, and how to bring excitement to the classroom. We cover the advantage of having all the materials you need to teach a unit of science in one convenient kit, how the process of going through the three year evaluation of multiple curriculum options worked and who was involved, and that the most important aspect of all is the professional development that has to happen for all your teachers. Nicole Krefting is the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator for Grand Forks Public Schools in Grand Forks, North Dakota. As an elementary teacher for 30 years and in the education system for 36 years, Krefting has taught at numerous grade levels, working with a variety of students and peers. She left the classroom to become an Instructional Coach, where she was able to support teachers and students in her building in all content areas. Currently, Nicole has the opportunity to work with all teachers district-wide in her role as a curriculum leader. Through her years of classroom experience and district roles, Mrs. Krefting has developed a strong understanding of how important science education is and how it supports all other content areas. She has worked alongside teachers to ensure students have the opportunity to develop strong background knowledge, increase speaking and listening skills, and translate ideas into written word through their science education. Her belief that student inquiry and investigation lead to true understanding of scientific concepts supports her push for robust professional development and collaboration in the districts' schools. It's Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We'd love to hear from you! Look for School Specialty and FOSS on X and Facebook. It's Time for Science is produced by School Specialty® and the Full Option Science System™ (FOSS®) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.

This month on It's Time for Science, it's time to talk about summer science at home and nature journaling! Host Tom Racine talks with John Muir Laws, a principal innovator in the global nature journaling movement, and outside educator Erica Beck Spencer. John Muir Laws is an award-winning naturalist, artist, scientist, educator, and the author and illustrator of several books including The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling, The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds, The Laws Guide to the Sierra Nevada. He is also the co-author of How to Teach Nature Journaling. He is co-founder and president of the Wild Wonder Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to encouraging nature connection and conservation through attention, curiosity, art, science, and community. https://johnmuirlaws.com/ https://www.wildwonder.org/ Tom talks with John Muir Laws about what exactly nature journaling is, why you don't need to be an artist to nature journal, and what nature journaling offers all of us and why it is important. Erica Beck Spencer is a curriculum specialist with the Full Option Science System Project (FOSS) and spearheaded the Taking FOSS Outdoors initiative. In addition to her development work, she has collaborated with over 50 districts and tens of thousands of educators on implementing the FOSS program. She has worked with thousands of formal and nonformal teachers about teaching outside. She has served on the board of directors for the Maine Environmental Education Association, Rippleffect, and will be stepping up as the board president for the Maine Math and Science Alliance. Prior to working for FOSS she taught in urban schools in Cambridge, Boston, and Portland, Maine. Tom and Erica discuss Tom's interview with John Muir Laws, how nature journaling might be used with students over the summer, nature journaling's value for students and teachers, and Erica's experiences with nature journaling as an educator and personally. Erica also offers some resources to help folks get started and keep going with nature journaling: •Quick start guide to Nature Journaling: Digital Download: https://www.wildwonder.org/store/p/nj-zine • Wild Wonder Resources: https://www.wildwonder.org/nature-journaling-resources • The Nature Journal Connection video series: https://johnmuirlaws.com/the-nature-journal-connection/ • Taking FOSS Outdoors chapter and other resources: https://help.thinklinkhq.com/s/article/Taking-FOSS-Outdoors It's Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We'd love to hear from you! Look for School Specialty and FOSS on X and Facebook. It's Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science System (FOSS) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.

This month on It's Time for Science, it's time to talk about social and emotional learning (SEL)! Host Tom Racine talks with Dr. Kenneth Wesson, a consultant on the science of education, learning, and the brain, and Ilyse Opas, Independent Educational Consultant specializing in SEL. Kenneth Wesson is a former higher education faculty member and administrator. He delivers keynote addresses on the neuroscience of learning for educational organizations and institutions throughout the United States and overseas. His audiences range from early childhood specialists to university-level educators. seven continents. His research is frequently published and referenced in Parents Magazine, HealthNet, and the journal Brain World. He is also a contributing author with Frog Street Press, the ECE publisher. Dr. Wesson regularly addresses educational organizations, counseling associations, school districts and parenting organizations on the subject of "brain-considerate" learning environments. In addition to his speeches on the neuroscience of learning, Dr. Wesson speaks on the subjects of early brain development, design and engineering, STEM and STREAM, social-emotional learning, and curriculum development. Dr. Wesson also serves on the advisory boards for the Korean Institute of Brain Science, Kids at Science, and the International Association of STEM Leaders. He is an active member of Scientists without Borders and he can be seen on PBS specials on human learning and the teenage mind. You can read and download Dr. Wesson's amazing paper on SEL which is filled with dozens of references and links to help you explore by clicking here. Tom talks with Dr. Wesson about what SEL is and isn't, the need to make space for SEL in science classrooms and integrate it into instruction, the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on students' SEL, and how the pandemic so greatly reinforced the need to create safe spaces and environments for kids to learn. As an independent educational consultant, Ilyse Opas is passionate about examining and strengthening the relationships between literacy, equity, and SEL. She believes that supporting teacher wellness is the first step in creating safe and successful classrooms for all and co-created KindMind, an online SEL support group for educators, in 2020. Ilyse spent almost two decades in the public school system as an educator, intervention instructor/coordinator, and instructional coach before founding IRO Educational Consulting, an independent consultancy based in SEL, mindfulness, and restorative justice. She also serves as a Professional Learning Lead for Collaborative Classroom, facilitating training for their SEL and Collaborative Literacy programs. Ilyse received her Master of Arts in Elementary Education and teaching certification from Mills College and her 200-hour yoga/SEL certification through Breathe for Change, an organization dedicated to bringing yoga and mindfulness to educators throughout the world. Tom and Ms. Opas discuss how SEL can help students and educators know themselves better and have more access to interior emotional states, how making space for SEL in classrooms can have help students with interpersonal skills and academics, some of the programs that help introduce SEL at a school or district level, and some of the things that educators can consider to take better care of themselves. It's Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We'd love to hear from you! Look for School Specialty and FOSS on X and Facebook. It's Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science Syst

It's Time for Science Podcast Episode 9 This month on It's Time for Science, it's time for extended learning! Host Tom Racine talks with Dr. Bryan Méndez about the upcoming solar eclipse and Erica Beck Spencer about getting kids outside. Dr. Bryan Méndez is an astronomer at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the Planetarium Director at the Lawrence Hall of Science, creates educational programming for NASA missions at the Space Sciences Laboratory, and teaches classes for the Astronomy Department. Dr. Méndez is a family man who loves to spend time with his wife and twin boys, a sci-fi/fantasy fan with particular obsessions for Star Wars and Star Trek, a saxophonist, and an amateur filmmaker. He is multicultural, of Mexican and European heritage, and strives to foster diverse perspectives in his work. You can find Dr. Méndez on Instagram and Threads: @doctorstarlight You can find the Lawrence Hall of Science on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Tom talks with Dr. Méndez about what an eclipse actually is, including what to expect from a total solar eclipse, how to look at the eclipse safely, and how to engage your students with this amazing celestial event. A reminder on eclipse safety. As Dr. Méndez points out, it is safe to look directly at the eclipse during the "brief and spectacular period known as totality," this only applies to those folks who will be in the path of the total eclipse, and then ONLY for the small amount of time during the totality. For more on safety and where/how to view the eclipse, visit these NASA sites. https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/ https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/where-when/ Erica Beck Spencer is a curriculum specialist with the Full Option Science System Project (FOSS) and spearheaded the Taking FOSS Outdoors initiative. In addition to her development work, she has collaborated with over 50 districts and tens of thousands of educators on implementing the FOSS program. She has worked with thousands of formal and nonformal teachers about teaching outside. She has served on the board of directors for the Maine Environmental Education Association, Rippleffect, and will be stepping up as the board president for the Maine Math and Science Alliance. Prior to working for FOSS she taught in urban schools in Cambridge, Boston, and Portland, Maine. Ms. Beck Spencer discusses how going outside can benefit students' mental health, how starved they often are for outside time, some of her favorite activities (and how to successfully manage them), and connecting inside learning with outside learning. She also talks about connecting to local experiences, including local resources designed to help educators get kids outside. It's Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We'd love to hear from you! Look for School Specialty and FOSS on X and Facebook. It's Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science System (FOSS) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.

This month on It's Time for Science, host Tom Racine talks about equity in science education with Claudio Vargas and Holly Gil. Claudio Vargas, a Science Education Consultant with a focus on Equity in STEM, works with Sci-Lingual Education and FOSS at the Lawrence Hall of Science. He provides keynote presentations on equity in STEM and professional learning experiences for educators in science, focusing on supporting Multilingual Learners with language and literacy development. Mr. Vargas has developed and led numerous professional learning programs throughout California, Washington, Texas, and Central America. Mr. Vargas served as a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee, which issued the national Call to Action to advance equitable science education. Tom talks with Mr. Vargas about working on the committee that issued the national Call to Action, how the pandemic affected education and science, how to help teachers structure a more equitable classroom, the importance of a rigorous curriculum with an emphasis on active learning, and being aware of our own biases, just to name a few of the topics they discuss. Holly Gil, an Instructional Specialist, Science Education/ELD Consultant has trained and mentored hundreds of teachers in the Santa Barbara area. She is a skilled facilitator and instructor and serves as a consultant to schools, districts and nonprofit organizations. Her expertise derives from nearly 30 years of professional experience as a bilingual classroom teacher, science education specialist, curriculum developer, instructional coach and leadership coach. Ms. Gil is currently an Instructional Specialist for Adelante Charter School, a dual language immersion K-6 elementary school. She is an advocate for multilingual students and an English Learner Leadership and Legacy Initiative (ELLLI) Fellow through Californians Together Ms. Gil and Tom chat about supporting teachers as they work to overcome their fears of teaching science and difficulties in working to implement an equitable classroom, how to encourage and help teachers stay committed, the linguistic challenges inherent in the NGSS, how students' excitement can help drive them, and more! Producer David Lippman also reviews the book Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky and published by 10 Speed Press. And we wish a happy birthday to Dr. Patrica S. Cowings! It's Time for Science! To get in touch with us, whether to offer some feedback, ideas for future episodes or reviews, or just to say hi, send us a message at itstimeforscience@schoolspecialty.com. We'd love to hear from you! Look for School Specialty and FOSS on Twitter and Facebook. It's Time for Science is produced by School Specialty and the Full Option Science System (FOSS) at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley.

Welcome to the very first episode of It's Time for Science! We are creating a podcast aimed directly at the amazing and wonderful science teachers, educators and administrators out there, from Pre-K thru High School, who are engaging students and fostering curiosity about the world around them. We start off with a fantastic round table discussion with three educators from South Carolina: Yolanda Bennett, Ed Emmer, and Felipe AndreSilva. We couldn't have asked for a more engaging and diverse group, and our conversation ran from discussing Equity in Teaching Science, Dealing with Teacher Burnout in a Post-COVID world, and how science education can and should be a transdisciplanary subject, involving literacy, math, social studies and history. Plus they give teachers some valuable nuggets of advice at the end. It's Time for Science is produced by School Specialty, along with FOSS, the Full Option Science System, from The Lawrence Hall of Science.