Thinking Out Loud Episode 16

From Tide Pools to Trees: How Hands-on Science Helps Students Understand Their Place on the Planet with Amy Dean, Biology Teacher

Episode launch date: January 21, 2026

How can we foster the kind of curiosity and thoughtful connection that will help inspire the next generation of informed and hopeful citizens of the planet? In this episode, we sit down with JCHS Biology and Environmental Science teacher Amy Dean to explore how meaningful science education helps students see the world differently. From assessing backyard redwood trees to collecting real data in coastal tide pools, Ms. Dean shares how hands-on learning transforms abstract environmental issues into deeply personal understanding. We talk about environmental literacy, systems thinking, and how students learn to wrestle with complex, real-world challenges without easy answers.

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