The Deep End | June 2026
NOTES FROM THE SURFACE
End of the Year Reflections
June is here, a bittersweet time of year spent sifting through the highs and the lows of the past 180 instructional days. Many educators list what went well and what fell short. But I encourage you to go deeper than that. I want you to identify why those things happened. Did your students struggle because you didn’t have a framework or strategy in place to address a particular issue? How can you intentionally replicate those positive moments to make sure they happen again with the next year’s students? Create a realistic picture of how you want to feel at the end of the 2026-2027 school year, gather your resources, make a plan, and chart your course!
Don’t know where to start? I’ve got your back! Take a look at this free Science With Depth resource called Reflect, Review, Renew. This is the perfect way to wrap up the year, reinforce science concepts, and plan ahead by creating an action plan to better handle the challenges you faced this year. It is great for teachers and students alike!
I am creating a library of resources like Reflect, Review, Renew, to be housed on the Science With Depth website. What resources would help you in the classroom for next year? Send your thoughts and suggestions to me at holly@sciencewithdepth.com. I want this to be a space that benefits everyone involved in the world of science and STEAM education! Thanks in advance for your help!
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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.
You wouldn’t think of teaching students how to read and write without giving them books, pencils, and paper. The same can be said about teaching science. Science is a hands-on discipline. Allowing students to see themselves as scientists while they explore the laws of nature requires the use of science tools. Understanding how to use different tools is fundamental to the Science and Engineering Practice of Planning and Carrying Out Investigations. This is why June’s thermocline PD focus is:
Using Science Tools
In this PD session, we will demystify the use of science tools in the classroom. Students need experience using the tools of science to observe the world around them. The right tools can reveal hidden worlds and colors lying just beneath the surface. Awaken awe and wonder in your students with science tools that are affordable, user friendly, and multi disciplinary. This is not a PD to learn how to teach one standard. This is a PD that will give you and your students a holistic, hands-on view of science.
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THE ABYSS
Finding Depth By Looking Up
There is depth in the sky above. If you’re processing the end-of-year chaos, it is the perfect time to slow down, take a breath, and appreciate the clouds floating by. Explore the layers of the atmosphere and connect them to math, art, and SEL. Use this activity to identify your “Pressure Points” and create a visually stunning art installation for the hallways of your school.