Teaching STEM #4Real

S2 E7: Prerequisites and High School NGSS/Science

Teaching STEM #4Real podcast season 2 episode 7
Welcome back to season two of Teaching STEM #4Real! Today, we are excited to be joined by Dr. Nancy Nasr!

Dr. Nasr is a science educator and district science specialist for the Glendale Unified School District with over a decade of experience in diverse classrooms. Dr. Nasr has not only taught at the secondary level, but also coaches and mentors secondary science educators across school districts to support the implementation of student-centered, constructivist pedagogies in the contemporary science classroom. Dr. Nasr’s continued research interest is anchored in cultural responsiveness in the diverse science classroom as well as student attitudes toward culturally responsive pedagogy. Additionally, Dr. Nasr has an interest in exploring the ways in which the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) of the NGSS can be used to infuse science learning that is situated in phenomena associated with social justice, and empowering students to overcome social injustices through the use of science. Dr. Nasr received her B.Sc. in Microbiology from University of Alberta. She received her M.A.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Northridge and her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of South Carolina.

In this episode, we’ll discuss Dr. Nasr’s educational journey, what it was like for Dr. Nasr, as a chemistry teacher, to implement the NGSS, and dismantling biases against certain diverse learners. We’ll also talk about whether it’s realistic to let go of some of the prerequisites to science education, how we can make chemistry relevant for our students, and what our science departments really need to be addressing. Last but not least, we’ll chat about systems we could put in place in high schools to address inequity in science, our thoughts on tracking systems, and classroom management issues. Keep listening to learn more from Dr. Nasr!

Teaching STEM #4Real is a podcast dedicated to 4 real conversations on educational equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education hosted by Dr. Leena Bakshi. If you’re interested in exploring what anti-racism and socially just instruction look like in our classrooms, schools, and beyond, you are in the right place. Dr. Bakshi is also the founder of the non-profit, STEM4Real. Please visit our website for information on how to partner with us. Thank you for helping us make STEM for real.


Learn more about how we promote student equity and social justice in STEM4Real