The Deep End | July 2026
NOTES FROM THE SURFACE
Chasing Summer Wonder
Happy July and welcome to the dog days of summer! Think of this edition of The Deep End as your personal invitation to slow down and explore the wonder of science. You’ll find it in the colorful chemistry of fireworks, the dynamic ecosystem interactions between bees and blooms, the astronomical dance of the Sun-Earth-Moon system, and the bioluminescent glow of a firefly.
Let these summer explorations reignite your own curiosity, because when you are fascinated, your students will be too! If you need strategies for transforming your science classroom into one with depth, reach out, and we’ll dive in together. Here’s to making the joy of science last a lifetime!
What is your favorite moment of science-inspired awe? Let me know at holly@sciencewithdepth.com.
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THE THERMOCLINE
The thermocline is the layer of rapid transition from the warm surface to the cool, deep ocean. It represents those moments where instruction shifts from surface-level facts to exhilarating, inquiry-based depth.
Have you ever watched a group of children build with Legos? The vast range of approaches quickly becomes clear. You’ll see everything from master builders working without a manual to beginners snapping two bricks together for the very first time. Just like a bucket of bricks, science needs multiple entry points. That is why July’s thermocline PD focus is:
Mastery Learning
In this PD session we will create multiple pathways to learning based on a single science phenomenon. The pathways create access points for students based on Webb’s DOK. By giving students autonomy over their learning path, engagement follows naturally, leading to a much deeper comprehension of the core science concepts. This PD shows you how to invite every student to participate in the conversation of science.
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THE ABYSS
Revealing Hidden Light
Depth doesn’t always mean looking down at the ocean floor or up at the atmosphere. Sometimes it means looking deeper inside a single everyday wonder. Discover how to break open visible light into multiple learning paths using my signature Mastery Learning framework. Ready to find out what colors are hiding in plain sight?