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Ever wondered about the discoveries lurking in the far reaches of our solar system? Ted Willard from Discovery Education joins us with tales from his extraordinary journey—from a high school physics teacher to a key player in the debate over Pluto's planetary status. With an impressive background in planetary science, Ted shares learnings from professor's discovery of Uranus’s rings. As we navigate through this cosmic conversation, Ted sheds light on the dynamic nature of scientific understanding and the way new evidence can reshape our educational models.
But it's not all planetary talk! Get ready to rethink science education with a focus on innovative teaching approaches that break away from traditional methods. We explore the Next Generation Science Standards alongside Pennsylvania's STEELS standards, bringing science to life through hands-on experiments like balloon-powered carts. We promise you'll come away with a new appreciation for three-dimensional learning, where practices, concepts, and ideas blend to create a lively, engaging classroom experience. And just for laughs, stick around for our humorous banter as we slip into the world of YouTube antics and chuckle over Andrew’s supposed wardrobe choices. Join us for an episode that's equal parts educational and entertaining!

Want more Ted? Attend one or all of his sessions at the 2025 NSTA Conference in Philly. Use the NSTA app and search for Ted Willard or the session titles below:

Selecting Phenomena to Motivate Student Sense-making
The NSTA Atlas of the Three Dimensions

Unpacking the Crosscutting Concepts with a new NSTA Quick-Reference Guide to the Three Dimensions

NSTA's Trilogy of Guides to the Three Dimensions

ChangED is the official podcast for the NSTA Philly Conference.
Experience more ChangED/NSTA podcasts and learn about the Philly NSTA Conference by visiting nsta.org/podcast.

Want to learn more about ChangED? Check out our website at: learn.mciu.org/changed