Secondary Science Simplified™

Our second most-listened-to episode of 2025 dives into inquiry-based teaching and why it’s essential, even when students push back. I break inquiry down into practical, classroom-ready strategies, explain why students struggle if they’ve only experienced passive “sit and get” learning, and share ways to make inquiry part of your classroom culture. Plus, I give my thoughts on the 5E model, three simple steps to get started immediately, and a big THANK YOU for being part of this community as we head into a new year!Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode214Resources Mentioned:2026 SSS Podcast SurveyBe a guest in 2026 on the SSS podcast!INRS First Biology Unit INRS First Anatomy Unit INRS First Chemistry Unit INRS First Physical Science UnitALL INRS Complete Units FREE: What is Life? Inquiry ActivityWhere to find POGILsDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes and Blog Posts:Episode 47, 2 Ways That Learning Happens and How to Create a Classroom Culture That Fosters ItEpisode 64, How to Re-Engage Apathetic Students (And Manage Your Own Apathy!)Episode 123, What to Do When You Care More Than Your Students DoEpisode 141, First Day of School Tips + What I Cover in My First Units of the YearEpisode 145, How to Build Resilience in Students Post-PandemicEpisode 155, How to Create Active and Accountable Learners in Your Secondary Science Classroom

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 assignments authentic in the age of AI, she offers encouraging tips for teachers feeling stretched thin!➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode213 Resources Mentioned:Take the 2026 SSS Podcast SurveyBe a guest in 2026 on the SSS podcast! AP Bio Penguins396 Page Review GuideAP Bio CEDAP Bio Penguins InstagramAP Bio Penguins YouTubeBecome an AP ReaderAP Review NotebookBlank Files for Review NotebookNational AP Bio FB GroupBioInteractiveLearn.GeneticsNever Work Harder Than Your Students and Other Principles of Great Teaching, by Robyn R. JacksonDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes: Episode 125, Teaching AP Biology with Guest Beth HinesEpisode 98, 5 Tips for Teaching Biochemical Reactions in Your Biology ClassEpisode 34, Teaching Biology – 4 Things NOT to DoEpisode 15, Teaching Seniors, AP Biology, and MORE with Diana PriceMistakes Teachers Make When Teaching Biology

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 varied math skills, and prepping labs without the overwhelm!➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode212Resources Mentioned:Take the 2026 SSS Podcast SurveyBe a guest in 2026 on the SSS podcast! INRS Biology Curriculum – FULL YEAR Bundle INRS Physical Science (IPC) Curriculum – FULL YEAR BundleDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes and Blog Posts:Episode 125, Teaching AP Biology with Guest Beth HinesEpisode 176, Teaching AP Biology, Exam Review, FRQ Prep, and More with Tiffany of AP Bio PenguinsEpisode 190, Student Mastery, Switching Schools, and Teaching Chemistry with Heather BonannoEpisode 191, Engaging Students, Serving ELLs, and Teaching Earth Science with Becca of Science Lessons That RockEpisode 200, Ask Me Anything! Going Over Work, NGSS, Labs, And More!

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 extensions that keep advanced learners truly engaged.➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode211Resources Mentioned:Take the 2026 Secondary Science Simplified Podcast Survey! Be a guest in 2026 on the SSS podcast. It’s Not Rocket Science® Complete Units Biology Curriculum Full Year Bundle Chemistry Curriculum Full Year Bundle Anatomy Curriculum Full Year Bundle Physical Science Curriculum Full Year Bundle PBL Packs Culture Mini Course Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes:Episode 29, Student-Centered Pedagogy: What It Is Episode 96, Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)Episode 168, Differentiation In Your Science Classroom – Simple Tips to Decrease OverwhelmEpisode 170, Differentiating for Lower Achieving Students (Without Lowering the Bar)

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 assistant taking tedious tasks off your plate.Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode210Resources Mentioned:Shop INRS full year curriculum bundles.Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseShop my TPT StoreSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes and Blog Posts:Episode 154, AI and ChatGPT with Guest Mitch WielandEpisode 157, Serving ELLs with AI and MORE with Guest Alyse of Keystone ScienceEpisode 173, 9 Quick Ways to Use AI to Simplify Your Life as a TeacherEpisode 174, 7 Ways to Teach Your Students to Use AI Productively

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: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode209Resources Mentioned:Anatomy FULL YEAR CurriculumAnatomy UnitsAnatomy Discovery Stations Bundle Anatomy Scope and Sequence Blog Post FREE - Get the Anatomy Pacing Guide  Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes and Blog Posts:Episode 36, Teaching Anatomy: 5 Tips for the Best Year Ever!Episode 80, Strategizing Your Sequence: Curriculum Design Part 1Episode 99, How to Teach the Nervous and Endocrine Systems in Your Anatomy ClassBlog Post: 5 Reasons It’s Not Rocket Science® Anatomy Curriculum Rocks!

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.com/episode208Resources Mentioned:Desktop Paper CalendarDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes and Blog Posts:Episode 51, 5 Alternatives to Traditional Midterm ExamsEpisode 116, Behind Schedule? What to Do and How to Prevent It in the FutureEpisode 149 Teaching on a Block Schedule - Why It’s Not as Bad as You ThinkEpisode 152, Absences - How to Deal With ThemEpisode 185, When Is Preparation Worth It, and When Is It a Pipe Dream?

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 boundaries.➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode207Resources Mentioned:Relationships Mini Virtual PD Course INRS Full Year CurriculaDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes:Episode 70, “It Isn’t an Attack on You”: Dealing with Difficult Parents with Guest Zach MatsonEpisode 114, How to Bounce Back After You Mess Up Episode 195, A Simple and Effective Process for Parent Communication With Guest Mandy FarrarEpisode 202, What to Do When Your Students Fail the Test

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 complete guide to implementing a simple five-minute routine that can transform your classroom!➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode206Resources Mentioned:Prime Times® in my resource shopPrime Times® on TpTMy favorite utility cartDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes and Blog Posts:Episode 96, Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)Episode 152, Absences - How to Deal With ThemEpisode 205, A Cell Phone Policy for High School StudentsPrime Times®: The Secondary Classroom Procedure You Can’t Live Without

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 also get practical tips for setting expectations, building student buy-in, and using phone moments to teach digital responsibility...so that managing phones feels more doable and a lot less stressful.➡️ Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode205Resources:Secondary Science Simplified episodes by topicCulture PD Mini-CourseDownload your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge.Take the Free Labs When Limited virtual PD courseSend me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.scienceSend me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com  Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts.Follow, rate, and comment on Spotify.Related Episodes:Episode 69, Admin Support - Why You Need to Ask, How to Ask, and What to Ask ForEpisode 89, Classroom Management in a Post-COVID World with Guest Casey O.Episode 92, 5 Ways to Have Precise Pacing and Tight Transitions in Your Secondary Science ClassroomEpisode 96, Why I Stopped Assigning Homework (And 6 Surprising Results)