Puentes & Possibilities Podcast
Puentes & Possibilities is a behind-the-scenes look into the chapters of
Teaching K-5 Science: Encouraging Exploration, Inquiry and Problem-Solving.
Join Coral and a community of special guests to explore the book's major themes and the evolving landscape of STEM education. Learn practical tools and real ways to drive meaningful change in education. Listen or watch the Podcast, on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.
Episode 1: Welcome to the Wonder Filled World of Teaching Science
Guest: Author Coral Zayas
An introduction to her book Teaching K-5 Science Encouraging Exploration, Inquiry and Problem Solving as well as the Puentes & Possibilities Podcast.
Tags: STEM, Science Instruction, Book Preview
Episode 2: From Novice to Confident — Setting Up Science Classrooms for Success
Guest: Nuri Jeter- Elementary and Middle Science Teacher
A practical guide to building a science classroom that works from day one.
Tags: STEM, Classroom Design, Classroom Management, Science Instruction
Episode 3 Part 1: All Means All- Strategies to Support All Learners- Focus on Multilingual Learners
Guest: Leslie Correa- Bilingual Elementary Teacher
Dive deep into bilingual education strategies that can support your multilingual learners in your science classrooms. With an expert in bilingual education, special education, and early childhood teaching.
Tags: Science Instruction, Early Childhood Instruction, Bilingual Learners, Multilingual Learners
Episode 3 Part 2: All Means All- Strategies to Support All Learners- Focus on Special Education and Neurdiverse Learners
Guest: Emily Kircher-Morris, Author, Podcaster, Counselor
Deep dive into strategies that teachers can use to support special education and neurodiverse students in their classrooms.
Tags: STEM, Science Instruction, Inclusive Classrooms, Neurodiverse Learners
Episode 4: Bettles, Butterflies and Bears, on my!
Guest: Rodney Crouse- Elementary Educator
This episode focuses on life science strategies for elementary teachers. A special focus on real-world activities that connect students to nature.
Tags: Life science, elementary science, real-world learning, nature-based learning, place based leaning
Episode 5: From the Kitchen to the Amusement Park
Guest: Lori Cavallo- Elementary Educator
This episode focuses on physical science strategies for elementary teachers. A special focus on real-world activities that connect students to nature.
Tags: Physical science, elementary science, real-world learning, place based leaning
Episode 6: Shifting Lands to Starry Skies: Exploring Earth Science
Guest: Taniece Thompson Smith- TX Teacher of the Year (‘24) / Elementary Educator
This episode focuses on earth science strategies for elementary teachers. A special focus on connecting classrooms to in-person and virtual guest speakers.
Tags: earth science, elementary science, real-world learning, classrooms to careers
Episode 7: From Science to STEAM and Beyond
Guest: Dr. Alfonso Mendoza- Educator, Podcast Host of My EdTech Life
This episode focuses on shifting instructional thinking from science as a silo to its many possibilities in STEAM instruction. This episode dives into classroom and educator practices as technology evolves in the classroom, with a special emphasis on education technology ethics, especially as it relates AI in education.
Tags: STEM education, STEAM education, education technology, edtech, AI in education
Episode 8: Connecting Student Learning to Real World Problem Solving
Guest: Yaritza Villalba- CEO and Founder, McKenzie’s Adventures
This episode focuses on using the UN SDGs to help take student learning from the classroom into the world, and vis versa. Special emphasis on project and problem-based learning.
Tags: STEM education, project-based learning, problem-based learning, UNSDGs
Episode 8 Part 2: Connecting Student Learning to Real World Problem Solving- Focus on Environmental Education
Guest: Brianna Amingwa- Founder of Deeply Rooted Outdoor Learning
This episode focuses on using the UN SDGs to help take student learning from the classroom into the world, and vis versa. Special emphasis on place-based learning and environmental education.
Tags: STEM education, place-based learning, environmental education, nature-based learning, outdoor education
Enjoying the Show?
The podcast is a companion to my book, Teaching K-5 Science. If these conversations resonate, you'll love going deeper in the book or bring me in to lead a workshop built around these same ideas for your school or team.