From the authors of the "conceptual" line of science textbooks, this podcast series focuses on the important added benefits one receives when learning the concepts of science within a learning community. This includes improved thinking skills and social skills too. We not only help students prepare for their next exam, we also work to distill the flavor of the overall college experience. This podcast series is a thoughtful step back—a reflection on the meaning of one's education. All of this, we call the big picture.
Publisher
John Suchocki: Conceptual Academy Science Education
Cheetahs are built to run
Fish are built to swim
Humans are built to ___________*
For any student, the first step to studying effectively is to push back any ideas they may have about being limited in their ability to learn. An exceptional set of "smart" genes is not required for any healthy individual to achieve mastery in any chosen field. What IS required is effort—down-to-Earth self-discipline and persistence.
Cognitive science tells us that these exertions change the brain's structure, creating new connections and capabilities. Importantly, learning builds upon itself, so the more you learn, the more you can learn. We each have great potential. What matters most is the degree to which we are inspired to develop this potential.
How smart you are or wish to be is less a matter of genetic destiny and more a matter of whether or not you live in a social environment that values and supports learning. You have great potential. We all do. That's what makes us human. We are all built to learn. That's what allows us to recognize connections, like you did right now regarding the riddle at the start of this article.
24 Jun 2026
Teacher Resource | Pyramid Exam
Welcome to this AI review of The Pyramid Exam, which is the most significant activity we have to offer within our handbook of class activities, yet also the most complicated. But year after year, students consistently rate this activity as the most valuable—by far. So, this is something for you to consider, either as we describe or some variation of your own.
For a PDF description, download our Handbook of Class Activities.
24 Jun 2026
Teacher Resource | Class Activities
This podcast is an AI review of our handbook of just-in-time class activities. They are "just-in-time" in that they present the student with a novel task that can only be solved by the learning of concepts. This is to say, they don't presume student mastery of the concepts. Rather, students work formatively to build that mastery. Also, we call them "class" activities as they are focused on team-based learning right within the classroom.
Follow the podcast link to download the PDF of this handbook. Within that handbook we begin with a four-point overview of our thoughts on the best use of the time we spend with our students in the classroom. This is followed by ideas on how to organize students by teams as well as by nations. For the main show, you'll find detailed descriptions of our favorite class activities that you might adapt to your courses as you see fit.
Thank you for sharing this podcast and handbook with others.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
14 ratings
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