From Molecules to Meaning: Eight Takeaways from the STEM Classroom this Week

What does percent composition have to do with pizza—or pita? In one high school chemistry classroom, everything.

During a recent observation, I saw how thoughtful teaching practices—grounded in the NEIR Model©—can transform even the most technical STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) content into something students connect with, enjoy, and remember. Here are eight key takeaways:

1. Start with who they are and what they care about (Normalize)
The lesson began with real-world connections to what students care about—quiz scores, pizza slices, and everyday objects from their desks. Grounding abstract content in shared, familiar experiences makes learning stick and builds confidence.

Pizza, pita, lahmacun, manakish, and tostadas all share similar shapes.

Using different cultural references in the classroom can normalize diversity and make content more meaningful to students' lived experiences.

2. Make space for mistakes (Empower)
When students shout out answers, ask questions, and revise their thinking without fear, they’re showing what it means to feel empowered. They thrive in an environment that encourages risk-taking, where mistakes are seen as a path to deeper learning, not a sign of failure.

3. Let students teach each other (Inclusive + Empower)
Peer-led explanations and collaborative problem-solving give every student a voice. When students lead the learning, they build confidence—and bring others along with them. The classroom becomes a shared learning space where students support one another’s understanding and success.

4. Use language that makes students feel seen and understood (Inclusive)
Phrases like “This dude is on fire!” or “You rocked it!” recognize both effort and success in real time. Students who feel valued and understood are more likely to stay engaged and take academic risks. A smile, a fist bump, or authentic, caring language fosters a sense of belonging that enhances both motivation and retention. 

5. Keep questioning instead of correcting (Empower)
Instead of providing the answers, the teacher I observed kept asking thoughtful questions that pushed students to reason through problems on their own. This strategy not only deepens understanding—it gives students ownership over their learning and builds their confidence as independent thinkers.

6. Celebrate the small wins (Empower + Inclusive)
Tiny victories—like matching answers or correctly using a key term—were met with smiles, cheers, and enthusiastic affirmations. Students shouted “I love that!” when their answers aligned, showing that encouragement and acknowledgment of growth matter at every stage of learning.

7. Scaffold with vocabulary and structure (Relevant + Empower)
Students used mathematical terms like "numerator," "proportion," and "percent" fluently, suggesting vocabulary was taught intentionally and reinforced during its application. Strategic scaffolding helped students move from learners to “knowers,” building both skill and identity as STEM thinkers.

8. Keep the energy positive and respectful (Inclusive)
Even when moving quickly or correcting behavior, the tone remained upbeat. Students stayed engaged because they knew they were in a supportive and safe space.

🧪 Classroom observations for this post were gathered in May 2025 from Jen Satler’s chemistry class, where relevance, collaboration, and enthusiasm are part of the daily education equation.

Have an effective classroom strategy or moment to share?

STEM Educator Initiative is always looking to highlight real-world practices that align with the NEIR model—Normalize, Empower, Inclusive, Relevant. Share your classroom wins with us by emailing info@stemeducatorinitiative.org.

Be a Role Model to Educate and Empower yourself and others!