Ask Matt - NGSS science education advice from an expert Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:48:58 -0500 http://www.greenninja.org en-us © 2026 Ask Matt - NGSS science education advice from an expert yes 3ef18c7e-f6f8-520f-aa64-8987dcc4ac17 Green Ninja (www.greenninja.org) episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) NGSS, education, environmental education, science education, teacher professional development, teacher learning, climate change, climate education Green Ninja (www.greenninja.org) https://storage.buzzsprout.com/sgws37ilhx7djso5iq6a6kpa84e9?.jpg Ask Matt - NGSS science education advice from an expert http://www.greenninja.org Ep. 27: Storytelling in the Science Classroom Ep. 27: Storytelling in the Science Classroom In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about storytelling and the value that stories bring to learning and in particular, learning science. They relate to their own experiences using storytelling, describe some of the latest research, and offer tips for how teachers can bring stories and storytelling into their own science classroom.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about storytelling and the value that stories bring to learning and in particular, learning science. They relate to their own experiences using storytelling, describe some of the latest research, and offer tips for how teachers can bring stories and storytelling into their own science classroom.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Buzzsprout-14319780 Fri, 08 Mar 2024 05:00:00 -0800 1644 27 full false Ep. 26: Interview with Tiffany Boyd from Classrooms for Climate Action Ep. 26: Interview with Tiffany Boyd from Classrooms for Climate Action In this episode, Eugene and Matt are joined by a special guest, Tiffany Boyd. Tiffany is a retired teacher who taught for 27 years in Boulder, CO and now runs the organization Classrooms for Climate Action (C4CA). Eugene and Matt talk with Tiffany about her work in Colorado to support teachers integrate climate science, climate justice, and climate action into their classrooms.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt are joined by a special guest, Tiffany Boyd. Tiffany is a retired teacher who taught for 27 years in Boulder, CO and now runs the organization Classrooms for Climate Action (C4CA). Eugene and Matt talk with Tiffany about her work in Colorado to support teachers integrate climate science, climate justice, and climate action into their classrooms.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Buzzsprout-12346204 Thu, 02 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0800 2140 26 full false Ep 25: Eugene talks science, climate, and Green Ninja on the podcast Science is Cool Unplugged Ep 25: Eugene talks science, climate, and Green Ninja on the podcast Science is Cool Unplugged Eugene talks about how to be a good science thinker on the ScIC “Science is Cool”  Unplugged podcast with PocketLab co-founder, Dave Bakker. The podcast follows a similar theme as the very popular Science is Cool (ScIC) virtual unconferences that PocketLab has hosted since the pandemic started. Dave Bakker is a wonderful host and makes every conversation interesting and fun! Dave asks Eugene a bunch of questions about science learning and climate, and their conversations ultimately lead to Green Ninja and the work they are doing to mainstream climate education.

Original episode:

]]> Eugene talks about how to be a good science thinker on the ScIC “Science is Cool”  Unplugged podcast with PocketLab co-founder, Dave Bakker. The podcast follows a similar theme as the very popular Science is Cool (ScIC) virtual unconferences that PocketLab has hosted since the pandemic started. Dave Bakker is a wonderful host and makes every conversation interesting and fun! Dave asks Eugene a bunch of questions about science learning and climate, and their conversations ultimately lead to Green Ninja and the work they are doing to mainstream climate education.

Original episode:

]]> Buzzsprout-11543982 Tue, 25 Oct 2022 07:00:00 -0700 3629 25 full false Ep 24: Eugene talks Green Ninja on the podcast Pod of Gold Ep 24: Eugene talks Green Ninja on the podcast Pod of Gold Eugene talks about Green Ninja with Pod of Gold hosts Stefanie B. Overbeck and Mel Wymore. The Pod of Gold podcast is created to inspire creative activism and social innovation as they believe the successful evolution of human society will require a profound transformation of the systems that shape our behavior. They were interested in talking to Eugene about Green Ninja because they were curious if education could play a role in ultimately promoting a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future.

Original episode:

]]> Eugene talks about Green Ninja with Pod of Gold hosts Stefanie B. Overbeck and Mel Wymore. The Pod of Gold podcast is created to inspire creative activism and social innovation as they believe the successful evolution of human society will require a profound transformation of the systems that shape our behavior. They were interested in talking to Eugene about Green Ninja because they were curious if education could play a role in ultimately promoting a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future.

Original episode:

]]> Buzzsprout-10647193 Fri, 20 May 2022 07:00:00 -0700 2504 24 full false Ep 23: Eugene talks Carbon Footprints on the podcast Your World, Your Money Ep 23: Eugene talks Carbon Footprints on the podcast Your World, Your Money Eugene and Dr. Steve Westlake (Cardiff University) were recently guests on the podcast, Your Money, Your World, where the focus of the episode was “Understanding Our Carbon Footprints”. We decided to rebroadcast the episode because we felt that many of our listeners would find the conversations interesting and relevant to our own understanding of climate change and how we teach this subject.

Original episode:

]]> Eugene and Dr. Steve Westlake (Cardiff University) were recently guests on the podcast, Your Money, Your World, where the focus of the episode was “Understanding Our Carbon Footprints”. We decided to rebroadcast the episode because we felt that many of our listeners would find the conversations interesting and relevant to our own understanding of climate change and how we teach this subject.

Original episode:

]]> Buzzsprout-9757153 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0800 3031 23 full false Ep 22: Interview with Katie Worth, author of Miseducation: How Climate Change is Taught in America Ep 22: Interview with Katie Worth, author of Miseducation: How Climate Change is Taught in America In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk to Katie Worth about her new book and what her extensive research can teach us about climate change education in the U.S.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk to Katie Worth about her new book and what her extensive research can teach us about climate change education in the U.S.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Buzzsprout-9632954 Mon, 13 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0800 2514 22 full false Ep 21: Saving the Monarchs Ep 21: Saving the Monarchs Eugene and Matt have recently helped create a new series of free and open lessons on climate change called Saving the Monarchs. In this episode, Eugene and Matt discuss the inspiration for creating these lessons, some of the design decisions they made along the way, and how teachers can use these materials in their own classrooms.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Eugene and Matt have recently helped create a new series of free and open lessons on climate change called Saving the Monarchs. In this episode, Eugene and Matt discuss the inspiration for creating these lessons, some of the design decisions they made along the way, and how teachers can use these materials in their own classrooms.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Buzzsprout-9229991 Mon, 27 Sep 2021 07:00:00 -0700 1514 21 full false Ep 20: Exploring Outdoor Education and NGSS Ep 20: Exploring Outdoor Education and NGSS In this episode, Eugene and Matt are joined by a special guest, Tashanda Giles-Jones. Tashanda is a teacher at Environmental Charter Middle School in Inglewood, California, and she shares some of the work she’s done to help students become leaders in their community through outdoor and environmental projects. Eugene and Matt then explore how outdoor education can enhance opportunities for science learning.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt are joined by a special guest, Tashanda Giles-Jones. Tashanda is a teacher at Environmental Charter Middle School in Inglewood, California, and she shares some of the work she’s done to help students become leaders in their community through outdoor and environmental projects. Eugene and Matt then explore how outdoor education can enhance opportunities for science learning.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-8257786 Fri, 09 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0700 2790 20 full false Ep 19: Teachers share their experiences and advice during the lockdown Ep 19: Teachers share their experiences and advice during the lockdown In this special episode, Eugene mainly listens in to a small group of teachers who share their experiences and offer advice on how to engage students within this challenging remote learning environment. The discussion is fascinating and offers insights into the lengths that teachers will go to best serve their students. On the call are Elizabeth Brooking, a grade 6-8 science teacher, and the teaching pair of Mich and Leticia Kiwan who team-teach science, math, social studies, and English in middle school.

]]> In this special episode, Eugene mainly listens in to a small group of teachers who share their experiences and offer advice on how to engage students within this challenging remote learning environment. The discussion is fascinating and offers insights into the lengths that teachers will go to best serve their students. On the call are Elizabeth Brooking, a grade 6-8 science teacher, and the teaching pair of Mich and Leticia Kiwan who team-teach science, math, social studies, and English in middle school.

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-7880887 Wed, 17 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0700 1876 19 full false Ep 18: Interview with Dr. Okhee Lee - Part 2: Science and Language Ep 18: Interview with Dr. Okhee Lee - Part 2: Science and Language Our special conversation with Dr. Okhee Lee continues now with a focus on language learning and the role it should play in our science classrooms. Okhee has established a national reputation for her work and thinking on this subject, and our discussion with her is very thought-provoking.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Our special conversation with Dr. Okhee Lee continues now with a focus on language learning and the role it should play in our science classrooms. Okhee has established a national reputation for her work and thinking on this subject, and our discussion with her is very thought-provoking.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-7483864 Fri, 05 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0800 3630 18 full false Ep 17: Interview with Dr. Okhee Lee - Part 1: Intentions of the NGSS Ep 17: Interview with Dr. Okhee Lee - Part 1: Intentions of the NGSS This week, we have a special guest, Dr. Okhee Lee. Okhee is a professor of childhood education at New York University where she works to advance research, policy, and practice around science and language learning, especially for English learners. Okhee was on the NGSS writing team, a leader of the NGSS Diversity and Equity team, and author of many peer-reviewed articles on teaching and learning.

In today's episode, Eugene and Matt talk with Okhee Lee about NGSS and get her unique perspectives and advice surrounding teaching and learning. In a later episode, Okhee is invited back on the podcast to focus on another area of her expertise and interest—science and language.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> This week, we have a special guest, Dr. Okhee Lee. Okhee is a professor of childhood education at New York University where she works to advance research, policy, and practice around science and language learning, especially for English learners. Okhee was on the NGSS writing team, a leader of the NGSS Diversity and Equity team, and author of many peer-reviewed articles on teaching and learning.

In today's episode, Eugene and Matt talk with Okhee Lee about NGSS and get her unique perspectives and advice surrounding teaching and learning. In a later episode, Okhee is invited back on the podcast to focus on another area of her expertise and interest—science and language.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-7483804 Tue, 02 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0800 2892 17 full false Ep 16: Interview with Paul Andersen from The Wonder of Science Ep 16: Interview with Paul Andersen from The Wonder of Science In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk with Paul Andersen, an educational consultant, a Montana-based science teacher for 20 years, and most famously the creator of hundreds of science YouTube tutorials that have been viewed by millions of teachers and students. Paul has also created a trusted online resource for science teaching and NGSS called ‘The Wonder of Science’, and they talk with Paul about NGSS, science teaching, and the environment.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk with Paul Andersen, an educational consultant, a Montana-based science teacher for 20 years, and most famously the creator of hundreds of science YouTube tutorials that have been viewed by millions of teachers and students. Paul has also created a trusted online resource for science teaching and NGSS called ‘The Wonder of Science’, and they talk with Paul about NGSS, science teaching, and the environment.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-6850531 Fri, 18 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0800 2186 16 full false Ep 15: The Election Ep 15: The Election In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about the election, from their own vantage points, and from what they expect to see with a new government for science and education. They also discuss how scientific thinking and data can be used to explain aspects of the election for our students, so we can fairly use the election as an important learning opportunity for our students.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about the election, from their own vantage points, and from what they expect to see with a new government for science and education. They also discuss how scientific thinking and data can be used to explain aspects of the election for our students, so we can fairly use the election as an important learning opportunity for our students.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-6448315 Fri, 20 Nov 2020 10:00:00 -0800 1698 15 full false Ep 14: Teacher Perspectives from a Small Charter School Ep 14: Teacher Perspectives from a Small Charter School In this episode, we’ll hear from Elizabeth Brooking, a middle school science teacher who faces daily challenges supporting at-risk students during this period of remote instruction. Elizabeth shares her story, and together with Eugene and Matt, they discuss ideas for how teachers can make progress in helping their students during these difficult times.

Resources mentioned by Elizabeth in this episode:

]]> In this episode, we’ll hear from Elizabeth Brooking, a middle school science teacher who faces daily challenges supporting at-risk students during this period of remote instruction. Elizabeth shares her story, and together with Eugene and Matt, they discuss ideas for how teachers can make progress in helping their students during these difficult times.

Resources mentioned by Elizabeth in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-5794045 Fri, 16 Oct 2020 11:00:00 -0700 1991 14 full false Ep 13: Updates from the Classroom with a Guest Teacher Ep 13: Updates from the Classroom with a Guest Teacher In this episode, we’ll hear from Sarah Rahman, a practicing middle school science teacher on how remote learning is going for her. What is working, what is not, and what techniques has she used to engage her students and help them move forward? The discussion with Eugene and Matt offers some interesting insights that we can all use right now.

Resources mentioned by Sarah in this episode:


Green Ninja Film Festival 2020 Winners from Sarah's class:

]]> In this episode, we’ll hear from Sarah Rahman, a practicing middle school science teacher on how remote learning is going for her. What is working, what is not, and what techniques has she used to engage her students and help them move forward? The discussion with Eugene and Matt offers some interesting insights that we can all use right now.

Resources mentioned by Sarah in this episode:


Green Ninja Film Festival 2020 Winners from Sarah's class:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-5694415 Fri, 02 Oct 2020 20:00:00 -0700 2232 13 full false Ep 12: Teaching Alongside a Climate Crisis Ep 12: Teaching Alongside a Climate Crisis In this episode, we find ourselves engulfed in some of the worst weather and air quality that we have seen in the western states. Here is what was on the front page of the LA Times reports two weekends ago in big letters: “California’s Climate Apocalypse — Fires, heat, air pollution: The calamity is no longer in the future — it’s here, now.” Eugene and Matt spend all of this episode digging into the science of our recent experience but also looking for short-term and long-term educational opportunities to use this reality to help students cope and hopefully thrive in this new world.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, we find ourselves engulfed in some of the worst weather and air quality that we have seen in the western states. Here is what was on the front page of the LA Times reports two weekends ago in big letters: “California’s Climate Apocalypse — Fires, heat, air pollution: The calamity is no longer in the future — it’s here, now.” Eugene and Matt spend all of this episode digging into the science of our recent experience but also looking for short-term and long-term educational opportunities to use this reality to help students cope and hopefully thrive in this new world.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-5506633 Mon, 21 Sep 2020 12:00:00 -0700 1915 12 full false Ep 11: Looking for the Silver Lining in Remote Learning Ep 11: Looking for the Silver Lining in Remote Learning In this episode, Eugene and Matt try to look past some of the immediate challenges that all teachers are facing for some benefits and new opportunities. What can we learn about education from this experience, what exemplars have we witnessed of success, and what happens when the vaccine comes and things return to ‘normal’? Can we take some of what we’ve learned during this odd year to improve education?

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt try to look past some of the immediate challenges that all teachers are facing for some benefits and new opportunities. What can we learn about education from this experience, what exemplars have we witnessed of success, and what happens when the vaccine comes and things return to ‘normal’? Can we take some of what we’ve learned during this odd year to improve education?

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-5401177 Mon, 14 Sep 2020 12:00:00 -0700 1723 11 full false Ep 10: Starting Fall Remotely Ep 10: Starting Fall Remotely In this episode, Eugene and Matt explore some of the challenges teachers are facing right now as they start a new term teaching remotely, and how they might continue to emphasize a coherent focus around science learning and NGSS while students are learning at home. Eugene and Matt discuss synchronous versus asynchronous methods and share some insights they had while developing a remote learning program for Green Ninja in the summer.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt explore some of the challenges teachers are facing right now as they start a new term teaching remotely, and how they might continue to emphasize a coherent focus around science learning and NGSS while students are learning at home. Eugene and Matt discuss synchronous versus asynchronous methods and share some insights they had while developing a remote learning program for Green Ninja in the summer.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-5279486 Thu, 03 Sep 2020 19:00:00 -0700 1560 10 full false Ep 9: Remote Teaching with NGSS Ep 9: Remote Teaching with NGSS In this episode, Eugene and Matt focus on the shift to online or remote teaching and the particular challenges and advantages that NGSS offers us. Matt shares his experience online teaching including his current offering of synchronous science classes with 3rd and 5th graders. Although Matt would be the first to admit that it doesn’t always go according to plan, there are some valuable insights for everyone.

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt focus on the shift to online or remote teaching and the particular challenges and advantages that NGSS offers us. Matt shares his experience online teaching including his current offering of synchronous science classes with 3rd and 5th graders. Although Matt would be the first to admit that it doesn’t always go according to plan, there are some valuable insights for everyone.

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-3171049 Mon, 30 Mar 2020 07:00:00 -0700 1926 9 full false Ep 8: Teaching in Uncertain Times Ep 8: Teaching in Uncertain Times In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about teaching science during uncertain times, like now during a global pandemic. As schools move online and students struggle to understand all these changes, how can teachers keep students moving forward while maintaining their own standards and well-being?

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about teaching science during uncertain times, like now during a global pandemic. As schools move online and students struggle to understand all these changes, how can teachers keep students moving forward while maintaining their own standards and well-being?

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-3021538 Mon, 16 Mar 2020 07:00:00 -0700 1827 8 full false Ep 7: Supporting NGSS in Your Classroom Ep 7: Supporting NGSS in Your Classroom In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about classroom strategies that can help move instruction toward NGSS. For example, how do sentence frames, vocabulary, and hands-on activities look in Matt’s ideal classroom? They also talk about hard  to have environmental conversations, and how to navigate those through a science lens.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about classroom strategies that can help move instruction toward NGSS. For example, how do sentence frames, vocabulary, and hands-on activities look in Matt’s ideal classroom? They also talk about hard  to have environmental conversations, and how to navigate those through a science lens.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-2084748 Thu, 14 Nov 2019 21:00:00 -0800 1944 7 full false Ep 6: NGSS and Climate Change Ep 6: NGSS and Climate Change In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about climate change, how it appears in the NGSS, and how youth leaders like Greta Thunberg can provide inspiration for great science engagement and inquiry.   

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about climate change, how it appears in the NGSS, and how youth leaders like Greta Thunberg can provide inspiration for great science engagement and inquiry.   

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-1857745 Sat, 12 Oct 2019 22:00:00 -0700 1522 6 full false Ep 5: Dissecting an NGSS Standard Ep 5: Dissecting an NGSS Standard In this episode, Matt discusses the connection between student achievement and teaching, and how teachers can make progress with NGSS. They then dive into one of the standards, and Matt takes us on a tour of how he would approach teaching this standard. As usual, Eugene and Matt also discuss the environment, and how to help students and teachers find credible information about topics like climate change.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, Matt discusses the connection between student achievement and teaching, and how teachers can make progress with NGSS. They then dive into one of the standards, and Matt takes us on a tour of how he would approach teaching this standard. As usual, Eugene and Matt also discuss the environment, and how to help students and teachers find credible information about topics like climate change.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-1586224 Wed, 21 Aug 2019 22:00:00 -0700 2063 5 full false Ep 4: Assessment and Planning Ep 4: Assessment and Planning In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about assessment—formative, summative, performance and other types. Matt suggests that it doesn’t matter what you call the stuff, it’s how it’s used by teachers that is important. They also have a very good discussion about the science and engineering practice—planning and carrying out investigations, and how the planning part is so important.

]]> In this episode, Eugene and Matt talk about assessment—formative, summative, performance and other types. Matt suggests that it doesn’t matter what you call the stuff, it’s how it’s used by teachers that is important. They also have a very good discussion about the science and engineering practice—planning and carrying out investigations, and how the planning part is so important.

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-1348921 Sun, 30 Jun 2019 16:00:00 -0700 1713 4 full false Ep 3: The California Science Framework and the Impossible Burrito Ep 3: The California Science Framework and the Impossible Burrito In this episode, Matt talks about his writing experience with the 2016 California Science Framework and his suggestions for favorite chapters for teachers. In addition to a discussion about the California Science Test, Matt also discusses what he sees are the main reasons why teachers find teaching climate change to be a difficult task.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> In this episode, Matt talks about his writing experience with the 2016 California Science Framework and his suggestions for favorite chapters for teachers. In addition to a discussion about the California Science Test, Matt also discusses what he sees are the main reasons why teachers find teaching climate change to be a difficult task.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-1177460 Tue, 21 May 2019 22:00:00 -0700 2033 3 full false Ep 2: Turning Your Classroom Upside Down Ep 2: Turning Your Classroom Upside Down In this episode, Matt talks about Asking Questions and Patterns, and how to use these key practices and concepts in the classroom. He also shares his ideas on one of the key instructional shifts that NGSS encourages—flipping the lesson upside down. Eugene and Matt also talk about recent changes in Arctic sea ice, and why such subjects are perfect companions to an NGSS classroom.

]]> In this episode, Matt talks about Asking Questions and Patterns, and how to use these key practices and concepts in the classroom. He also shares his ideas on one of the key instructional shifts that NGSS encourages—flipping the lesson upside down. Eugene and Matt also talk about recent changes in Arctic sea ice, and why such subjects are perfect companions to an NGSS classroom.

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-1109825 Wed, 08 May 2019 16:00:00 -0700 1844 2 full false Ep 1: Getting Started with NGSS Ep 1: Getting Started with NGSS In our first episode, Eugene and Matt get started by looking at some of the basics of NGSS, how Matt got involved, and then delving into 3D instruction.  Also, hear about what Matt suggests is needed to do CPR with your course—community, proximity, and relevance.  

]]> In our first episode, Eugene and Matt get started by looking at some of the basics of NGSS, how Matt got involved, and then delving into 3D instruction.  Also, hear about what Matt suggests is needed to do CPR with your course—community, proximity, and relevance.  

]]> Green Ninja Buzzsprout-1047131 Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:00:00 -0700 1676 1 full false