Ms. Sam
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scientistsinthemaking.com
Ms. Sam
@scientistsinthemaking.com
10th Year High School Science Teacher | Applying Cognitive Science 🧠 to Science Learning 🧪

www.scientistsinthemaking.com
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The most common misconception in science education is that it must be inquiry-based. Here are reasons why that is not the case 🧵⬇️
Loved this podcast episode!

In my experience teaching high school chemistry at a Title I school, many of my students encounter concept maps for the very first time in my classroom. While they are very useful, teaching students how to use them effectively takes modeling and a good deal of practice.⬇️
Concept maps: simple but powerful learning tools. On the podcast this week, Dr. Kripa Sundar shares practices for making the most of them. Also joining us is Dr. Pooja Agarwal (@retrievelearn.bsky.social), editor of the book Smart Teaching Stronger Learning. www.cultofpedagogy.com/concept-maps/
October 16, 2025 at 7:45 PM
As a longtime listener, it was surreal to be on the other side of the mic! Thanks @mrzachg.bsky.social for the opportunity to discuss science education and how teachers can balance explicit instruction with NGSS. Check it out below ⬇️

educationrickshaw.com/2025/09/28/s...
S5E04: Marcie Samayoa on NGSS and Explicit Science Instruction
In this episode, I’m joined by Marcie Samayoa—science teacher, cognitive science enthusiast, and blogger of Scientists in the Making. Marcie shares the origin story behind her innovative classroom …
educationrickshaw.com
October 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
Today's letter features a high school chemistry teacher who upended her inquiry-based lab procedure with cognitive science learning principles. The result? Her students improved in the quality of their evidence and reasoning. And their grades improved. hollykorbey.substack.com/p/is-the-lou...
January 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM
So honored to be featured in @hollykorbey.bsky.social The Bell Ringer's Tools for Practice! This month's piece explains how to incorporate explicit instruction and cognitive science principles to conduct science labs.

hollykorbey.substack.com/p/is-the-lou...
Is the 'Louisiana Miracle' next? Plus a new Tools for Practice
A chemistry teacher uses the science of learning for a better lab experience
hollykorbey.substack.com
February 1, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
January 27, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
I like this by James Clear:

“In practice, consistency is about being adaptable. Don’t have much time? Scale it down. Don’t have much energy? Do the easy version. Adaptability is the way of consistency.”

Rather than taking on gargantuan feats of effort (which mostly fail) we should be adaptable.
January 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
After watching Ep 1 & 2 of this documentary (AMAZING WORK. Highly recommend.), I can’t help but notice how organized students are. It’s a skill that is often overlooked but important for students to succeed. Here’s why (and how) to incorporate organization into your daily lessons. 🧵
🚨🚨 NEW TODAY

For the last 18 months, I've been working on a top secret documentary to capture & deconstruct some of best teaching in UK.

Why We Made It & How To Access It (For Free):



www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SQ0...
(Why And How) We Made A Documentary Unpacking Great Teaching
YouTube video by Peps Mccrea
www.youtube.com
January 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
Can interleaved retrieval practice enhance learning in classrooms? The unequivocal answer here is yes, especially when it comes to longer term retention. The results demonstrate a cost-effective strategy to promote classroom learning. #EduSky
doi.org/10.1177/0956...
December 30, 2024 at 6:35 PM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
«I am deeply concerned about the so-called “low” and “at-risk” students in our schools who have been let down by a system that favors minimally guided approaches over evidence and common sense»,
December 30, 2024 at 4:32 PM
"Learning styles are a myth." 🚨
@sciinthemaking
joins #ChoralosophyPodcast to challenge fads in education and share evidence-based strategies that actually work.

Teachers, don't miss this! 🎙
🎧 Listen here: bit.ly/Choralosophy...
#Education #TeacherBurnout #EdTech
ChoralosophyThe home for content and extra material related to the Choralosophy Podcast with Chris Munce!Episode 228: Skip the Education Fads and Stick With What Works with Marcie Samayoa
Fads like “learning styles,” “restorative justice,” “inquiry based learning” and more, versus Cognitive Load Theory, Explicit Instruction etc. Marcie Samayoa&#82…
bit.ly
December 20, 2024 at 7:35 PM
Mini whiteboards are one of the most effective tools for real-time formative assessment. They make learning visible, foster participation, and allow for immediate feedback. Here's how they can transform your teaching. 🧵⬇️
December 18, 2024 at 9:30 PM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
On Wednesday's Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works, Dr. Sarah Oberle will discuss how her research in the Science of Learning has influenced her classroom practices and her dedication to disseminating her findings. @sarahoberle.bsky.social @lindarhyne.bsky.social

www.tesscg.com
December 16, 2024 at 4:54 PM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
Working memory is limited in capacity, so learning is most effective when cognitive load is optimized. When working memory is overloaded, it can create a bottleneck that restricts the flow of knowledge into long-term memory

#edusky #ukteaching
December 2, 2024 at 10:10 AM
Scientists and engineers build on a solid foundation of established knowledge before innovating. We should be doing the same in our science classrooms. This is why I believe we need to rethink inquiry-based learning in science education.

scientistsinthemaking.com/why-we-need-...
Why We Need to Rethink Inquiry-Based Learning in Science Education - Scientists in the Making
Discover why inquiry-based learning falls short in science education. Learn how structured learning, foundational knowledge, and a balanced approach can better prepare students to think and work like ...
scientistsinthemaking.com
December 2, 2024 at 10:36 PM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
Advances in the science of learning can equip educators with strategies for boosting student engagement and success. The science of learning, which offers insights into how learning happens, has been shown to improve student outcomes in districts that adopt it.
www.mcrel.org/is-your-scho...
Is Your School Using the Science of Learning? - McREL International
The great thing about the science of learning (how learning works) is that its principles are simple and intuitive for teachers
www.mcrel.org
November 27, 2024 at 9:29 PM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
🎨 In case anyone need…

The NIH BioArt Source is an awesome library of *free* professionally drawn illustrations for scientific presentations or figures. Downloadable in HD. Thank you NIH for this invaluable tool 🙏!

Check it out 👇
bioart.niaid.nih.gov
November 23, 2024 at 3:50 PM
Mind maps are a fantastic tool for learning, but how they are created matters. Using an AI-generated mind map isn’t the same as a student making one themselves. Let’s explore why! 🧵👇
November 26, 2024 at 4:32 PM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
Teachers are getting the message that they should slow down instruction, far below grade level, to the point where 80% of their students can succeed.

An evil genius couldn’t hatch a better plan to create an achievement gap.
November 25, 2024 at 4:37 PM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
It's nice to be on Thanksgiving break #edusky!
November 24, 2024 at 11:01 PM
Background knowledge is essential for learning. Without it, students struggle to connect new ideas or understand what they are learning. But what happens when students lack this foundation? Here's how you can help them build it effectively. 🧵🔽
November 24, 2024 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
I created this graphic for my students to discuss the importance of effective study strategies in addition to other factors such as pastoral support, attendance & effort.

What else would you add?

Sleep, exercise, nutrition, monitoring screen time, awareness of distractions ...
November 21, 2024 at 6:00 PM
So I was wondering if I can get some weigh in from teachers here. Assume that you are teaching science and you have students that are several grade levels behind in reading and math. Which creates the following dilemma....
November 21, 2024 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by Ms. Sam
Things CAN change for the better. Even if you feel alone, thinking that you must be a little crazy to notice something that no-one else notices... but maybe you find a few other folks through social media. Then a few other folks. And then suddenly the dam starts to break...
November 19, 2024 at 6:08 AM