The New Science Teacher's Handbook: What You Didn't Learn from Student Teaching

“One of the first activities I ask new science teachers to do in my methods course is to think of a memorable science activity from their past. Whether it’s creating an exploding vinegar and baking soda volcano, dissecting a frog, or building a mousetrap car, new teachers relish their memories from school. Beyond the projects themselves, we also discuss the teachers who facilitated these learning experiences, focusing on how they inspired their students to develop a passion and curiosity for science. "Once this is established, I ask my students the million-dollar question: ‘How are you going to become one of those teachers?’” By reading The New Science Teacher’s Handbook, you will learn 12 specific steps that will help you on your way to becoming a skilled classroom teacher. The authors make each chapter both helpful and fun to read by including: •The Story―actual experiences that happened within one of the authors’ classrooms. As the authors note, these true stories demonstrate that even those who go on to write books on best practices in the classroom didn't start off as perfect educators. •The Moral―what the authors learned from the story. •Steps for Success―multiple solutions you can choose from to fit your concerns and school environment. •What Does Success Look Like?―how the classroom looks after implementing the steps for success. •Resources you can turn to if you want to explore each topic in more detail. The book addresses areas that are often underrepresented, if not completely ignored, by prevalent science methods pedagogy textbooks. “Whether you are on your way to becoming a science teacher or a teacher in your early years,” the authors write, “we feel confident the ideas presented here will help you become the teacher you’ve always wanted to be.”

Sarah Reeves Young is an 8th grade physical science teacher from Rowland Hall Middle School in Salt Lake City, Utah. Aside from her work in the classroom, Young continue to be involved in the academic realm as an adjunct professor for Westminster College where she teaches their Masters students in secondary science methods. She is also the Program Director for the Teacher Training Institute, which is a collaborative Master of Arts in Teaching program with Westminster College and Rowland Hall that creates a unique learning environment for pre-service teachers in the Intermountain West. She also coaches middle school girl’s volleyball, basketball, and soccer.

Young has published in NSTA Science Scope, presented at local and national conferences, and participated in several professional development institutes. She recently published a book titled Gourmet Lab: The Scientific Principles Behind Your Favorite Foods. This collection of 15 hands-on experiments—each of which includes a full set of both student and teacher pages—challenges students to take on the role of scientist and chef, as they boil, bake, and toast their way to better understanding of science concepts from chemistry, biology, and physics. She is a former Academies Creating Teacher Scientists fellow with the Jefferson Lab in Newport News, Virginia, Solar System Educator with NASA, and a Space Foundation Teacher Liaison.

Young is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists. As a teacher, she fosters students’ natural curiosity by providing examples of how the science content from class is reflected in the everyday world around them. From the simple machines used while eating, to the inaccuracy of sound and motion in space while watching a “Star Wars” clip, Young uses creative insights to connect these concepts to the daily lives of students. She is passionate about science education for all students, and strives to help everyone find their “inner scientist”.

Young is currently serving as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the National Science Foundation in the Office of Science and Engineering.