Welcome to The Abyss: Lighting Up the Dark in Science Education
Hello, and welcome to the Science With Depth community. I’m thrilled you’ve decided to dive into this journey with me. This space, The Abyss, is the first step in what will grow into a vast archive of resources for you to rely on as you deepen your practice. Every blog post is designed to guide you through a journey that brings more substance, wonder, and meaning to your science and STEAM classrooms.
From the Lab to the Trenches
My name is Holly Stuart. I am a scientist, an educator, and a PD leader. When I transitioned from the science lab to the science classroom, I hit a major pressure point: teachers were expected to teach science without the actual tools of science. After years of struggling with that shallow approach, I adjusted my course. I began implementing strategies and utilizing tools that taught my students how to do science, think like scientists, and most importantly, see themselves as scientists. These shifts lead me out of my classroom and into a role as an Education Specialist delivering PD to educators from all around the world! I saw how much it resonated when I put real tools into teachers' hands. I founded Science With Depth to address the real-world roadblocks educators face every day.
Defying the "Sit and Get"
I strive to ensure that Science With Depth PD stands out from the traditional "sit, get, and forget" sessions that teachers loathe. Those who know me recognize me as the STEAM-dress-wearing, Ms. Frizzle-channeling science geek! When you’re in a session with me, you are invited to fearlessly participate in the conversation of science, even when it gets messy.
Science With Depth PD includes 3 steps:
Pressure Point Identification: Pinpointing the specific roadblocks in your STEAM classroom.
Strategy Implementation: Targeted, accessible moves you can use the very next day.
Science Tool Instruction: Leaving every session with a low-cost, high-quality tool in your hands.
Embracing the Messy Middle
Why do PD this way? Because when teachers are excited about the process of science, with all its discovery and awe, and they feel comfortable in the "unknown" of the messy middle, their students thrive.
Students learn that science isn't a static list of vocabulary words in a textbook. They begin to see themselves as explorers: asking questions, planning investigations, and analyzing results. They dive into the "productive struggle" and surface with a deeper, more confident understanding of the world around them.
Are you ready to dive in?
The surface is safe, but the most incredible discoveries happen in the depths. I want to help you bring that depth to your instruction.
Which Science With Depth PD session are you most excited to bring to your school? Send me an email and let me know! I can't wait to partner with you as we chart this new course together!
-Holly