Educators: Making Science Feel Like Discovery, Not Difficulty"
One thing I heard repeatedly from students during scheduling was, “Chemistry is scary. I am not sure I will be good at it.” Sometimes the phrasing was different, but the message was always the same. Many students believed that biology was the easiest of the sciences “because it did not require math” and was offered to younger students, while chemistry and physics appeared to be more difficult because of the application of math.
As a chemistry teacher, my challenge was to prove to students on the very first day that chemistry was not what they had imagined and that they were fully capable of being successful in the course. I needed to both alleviate their fears and motivate them to see the importance of learning any science, including chemistry, even if they never planned to pursue a degree or a career in a science field.
So, how did I achieve this? I incorporated the NEIR© (normalize, empower, inclusive and relevant) model into my thinking as I planned my lessons and my day. This rethinking of my instruction affected my teaching style, my attitude, my lesson planning, and ultimately the learning environment in my classroom.
Following my professional development in NEIR, my first lesson in the chemistry classroom involved introducing the foundation of all science, the scientific method. I did this by creating a fun activity to find the best “bubble solution” for blowing bubbles, something every student understood! I would prepare a stock solution and attempt to blow bubbles in front of the class. However, I would deliberately fail. I then challenged my students to use the scientific method to create a better bubble solution than mine.
How did the NEIR model play into this?
Normalize: I wanted to help students feel comfortable in science by first providing a relatable connection to the real world. To normalize means the lesson connects to a students’ real, lived experience. In this case, bubbles are universal!
Empower: I wanted to show my students that being empowered does not mean being perfect. Failure is okay, as long as we keep trying. This is a foundational element of any science. My own example showed that teachers are not perfect. We do not always have the best ideas or the right answers. By embarrassing myself with my failed bubble-blowing attempt, I demonstrated that it was okay to be vulnerable in the classroom. I also aimed to empower students to engage in chemistry without fearing the math. I showed them that they already understood the scientific method and could apply it at a higher level with just a little encouragement.
Inclusive: As a teacher, I always wanted a classroom that felt welcoming and inclusive, so I designed it that way! I displayed posters featuring people in STEM (science technology, engineering, and mathematics) from a wide range of backgrounds and interests. I also created a mirror labeled “I AM A SCIENTIST” to help students see themselves as valuable contributors to the classroom atmosphere and to scientific progress.
Relevance: When a bubble pops, it doesn’t just disappear—it can launch tiny particles into the air. This isn’t a big deal when it’s just a soap bubble from a toy, but it matters when the particles are harmful. For example, when ocean waves crash, popping bubbles can release tiny bits of plastic into the air, which might poorly affect the atmosphere. In your bathroom, bursting bubbles from a flushing toilet can spread bacteria to nearby surfaces. Even a cruise ship hot tub once helped spread a serious lung infection called Legionnaires’ disease because of aerosolized bacteria.
By using the NEIR model, I transformed students' perceptions of chemistry from something intimidating into something approachable, engaging, and fun. The first day of class set the tone for the rest of the year, fostering a classroom culture where students felt capable, included, and eager to learn. My goal was never just to teach chemistry but to inspire curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for science.
Showing students that something as simple as bubbles can have a powerful impact—both at home and in the world—can spark a lifelong interest in chemistry and other STEM fields. And the math? No worries, I tell them—the world needs you, and you’ve got this!
