Science Modeling Talks

In this episode, Mark talks with Colleen Megowan about the history and initial founding of the AMTA and how she became the first executive officer for the organization. She talks about what she does as Senior Fellow, and her dreams for the future of AMTA, including research on including AI in modeling instruction, developing modeling methodology for math instruction and for elementary education, a...

This week, Mark talks with Phil Root about the differences he sees between teaching using modeling methodology at the high school level and the college level. They talk about Phil's experience helping to adapt modeling materials for physical science to the Next Generation Science Standards, and how much he enjoyed building a storyline for those units. They talk about the advanced modeling workshop...

Mark and Rama talk about Lawrence School, where Rama is the academic dean for grades 7 through 12. The school serves students with language-based learning differences and attention-deficit issues. They've been implementing modeling instruction in their science courses with success. As a result, they are hosting two modeling workshops on their campus this summer. Guest Rama Janamanchi   Rama J...

Mark talks with Janelle Hollingshead about her introduction to modeling instruction, including learning about "for every" statements, which help students to understand the concepts they discuss, as opposed to just getting the correct answer to a question. They talk about using proportional reasoning with students rather than giving them steps to solve problems as a means of developing their thinki...

Mark talks with Ine Williams, Associate Executive Officer for AMTA. They talk about her background, global travel, and the various corporate and nonprofit roles she has had. They talk about Ine's new role as Associate Executive Director of AMTA, and her collaboration with Caroline Savio-Ramos, AMTA's new Executive Officer. They talk about some of the changes coming to AMTA and their efforts to mak...

In this episode, Mark talks with Lee Trampleasure, starting with how he found modeling instruction 20 years ago. They talk about the various courses he teaches and how we may sometimes need a reminder that just as we feel like brand new teachers again when we first start modeling, our students aren't used to developing the science themselves and sometimes it takes a whole semester before things "c...

In this episode, Mark talks with Caroline Savio-Ramos, the new executive officer of the AMTA. They discuss her professional journey and introduction to modeling instruction. They talk about current projects she has been working on in her first month as executive officer and about direction for AMTA. Guest Caroline Savio-Ramos She holds a Ph. D. in Educational Technology from Arizona State Universi...

In this episode, Mark talks with Cynthia Passmore, who is a professor of science education at the University of California, Davis. They talk about the differences between the approach to modeling developed at ASU and UC Davis, which seem to be more and more similar as time goes by. They talk about how all of our understanding in scientific study is based on models, even if we do not specifically h...

This episode starts out with Tom's advice to teachers who are just getting started with modeling instruction. He and Mark discuss the differences in teaching physics and chemistry using modeling methods. They also discuss the changes Tom noticed when switching from traditional to modeling methods, as well as key takeaways from modeling workshops. Guest Tom Pfeiffer Tom Pfeiffer studied biology and...

Mark talks with Matt Oney about his introduction to modeling instruction and how he uses modeling methodology in the university setting. They talk about the importance of fostering, as opposed to squashing, the curiosity that all children have. Modeling instruction is designed to train students to use their curiosity to pursue answers, and students are engaged in that learning. Additionally, they...

Mark talks with Lynn about her introduction to modeling instruction right at the beginning of her teaching career and how modeling works so well with the specific AP physics areas of focus. Lynn reminds us that when we are the only teachers of a certain STEM subject at our school, it is incredibly important to find community beyond the walls of our school. They talk about gender equity in our scie...

Mark and Chance talk about ways to make workshops more accessible to teachers, given the limited amount of time we all have in the summertime. They talk about CESAME at Cal Poly, which works to recruit more science and math teachers for K12 education. They talk about how AI may impact modeling classrooms, including some ideas he has about how to use the power of AI to get to the physics principles...

This month, Mark talks with Emma Mitchell, the chair of the science department at the Ethel Walker School in Connecticut. They talk about her background working in labs, often as the only female. They talk about Emma's experience teaching at an all-girls' school, and then about how she came across modeling instruction when trying to figure out how to teach physics in a pandemic. She completely cha...

In this episode, Mark talks with Ray Howanski, CEO of the AMTA. They talk about the origins of AMTA, the big ideas behind modeling instruction, and how the modeling community has changed over time. They talk about the plans that are ahead for AMTA, including a new website and easier ways to connect teachers to one another. They finish with talking about efforts to include data science in the model...

In this episode, Mark talks with Beth Burns, who is a modeler and modeling workshop leader who teaches chemistry to both high school and college students. They talk about her journey from working in industry to teaching, and to modeling instruction. They talk about how whiteboarding is so importing in modeling instruction as part of giving students autonomy in their own learning. Guest Elizabeth B...

In this episode, Mark talks with Ray Howanski, CEO of the AMTA. They talk about the origins of AMTA, the big ideas behind modeling instruction, and how the modeling community has changed over time. They talk about the plans that are ahead for AMTA, including a new website and easier ways to connect teachers to one another. They finish with talking about efforts to include data science in the model...

In this episode, Mark and Geoff talk about how Geoff learned about modeling methods and the various mini-labs he has developed to help illustrate student thinking about new phenomena. They talk about the challenges presented by increasing the number of topics covered in a course without increasing the number of instructional days, necessitating the instructor to determine what can be cut to save t...

In this episode, Mark talks with Cynthia Passmore, who is a professor of science education at the University of California, Davis. They talk about the differences between the approach to modeling developed at ASU and UC Davis, which seem to be more and more similar as time goes by. They talk about how all of our understanding in scientific study is based on models, even if we do not specifically h...

In this episode, Mark talks with Brooke Jenkins about her early teaching career, her time at ASU, and then as an adjunct instructor at Estrella Mountain Community College, where she was introduced to modeling instruction. They talk about her work with BYU Idaho, and her move to Utah, where she has helped to develop concurrent enrollment classes for high school students to take the course at their...

In this episode, Mark talks with Kathy Harper, a senior lecturer in engineering education at The Ohio State University. She tells us about how she found her way to a modeling workshop half her lifetime ago, and how modeling has changed her life. They also talk about the work that Kathy has done bringing modeling workshops to Ohio, and then having workshops to develop small activities to bring tast...

This week, Mark talks with Phil Root about the differences he sees between teaching using modeling methodology at the high school level and the college level. They talk about Phil's experience helping to adapt modeling materials for physical science to the Next Generation Science Standards, and how much he enjoyed building a storyline for those units. They talk about the advanced modeling workshop...

This month, Mark talks with the executive officer of the AMTA, Ray Howanski. They talk about the importance of getting at student thinking and effective student-led discussions, and the transformation that happens when students start being the scientists rather than just looking to the authority figure for the "right answers." They talk about the difference between modeling workshops and distance...

This month, Mark talks with F. Joseph Merlino about the work he has done using grants from the National Science Foundation to reform math and science education. They talk about his work in Egypt overhauling their whole education system, working with the decision-makers to identify their biggest challenges and then how they can design school around preparing students to solve those big problems. Th...

In this episode, Mark talks with Patrick Daisley, long-time modeler and science teacher. They talk about challenges he had when a beginner modeler, good advice that he took and made part of his own routine, and developing a modeling instruction framework and curriculum for integrated science, physics and chemistry. They talk about the origin of the AMTA and Patrick's part in it. Guests Patrick Dai...

In this recast episode from July 2021, Mark talks with Marta Stoeckle, who teaches physics and other science courses outside St. Paul, Minnesota. They talk about the improvements Marta experienced in her teaching after attending a modeling workshop. This led to their discussion of Marta's research in STEM education. Finally, they talk about the new way for modelers to connect -- the AMTA Discord s...