From Wonder to Mastery: A Transformative Model for Science Education (Public/Charter School Edition)

This is a nonsectarian edition, specifically edited for use in public and charter schools.

Science education is in need of transformation, and the unique treatment detailed in From Wonder to Mastery is the place to start. In this book, Centripetal Press and Novare Science founder John D. Mays presents a powerful mastery-learning model that has been proven to dramatically improve student learning in science. Drawing on more than two decades in the classroom and a previous career in engineering, John has developed the unique approach to science education based on mastery learning that leads to long-term retention that has been developed and honed through the Centripetal Press and Novare Science curricula.

Designed for teachers, parents, and administrators, From Wonder to Mastery contains all the vital content from Teaching Science So That Students Learn Science, John’s original guide to the Centripetal Press pedagogical philosophy. This new text also offers a wealth of additional content, as well as an analysis of the research and literature on mastery learning.

From Wonder to Mastery begins with a focus on the need to foster a sense of wonder in the classroom, and then goes on to explore how mastery learning can be supported through the 4 essential areas of integration with science: epistemology, mathematics, history, and language. The final 5 chapters describe John’s mastery-learning model in detail.

This book is an excellent resource for professional development, and an essential read for science teachers and administrators who want to build a premier science program at their school. Homeschoolers will also benefit by discovering how the mastery-learning model will propel their children toward greater proficiency and long-term retention.

John D. Mays received a BS in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University, an MEd in secondary education from the University of Houston, and an MLA in liberal arts from St. Edward’s University. He also has completed 36 hours of graduate study in the field of physics. John worked as an engineer and engineering manager for 14 years and has taught physics, physical science, and math in a variety of settings. At Regents School of Austin, he served as the Math-Science Department chair for 9 years and established the Regents Laser Optics Lab, a college-grade optics laboratory incorporating state-of-the-art lasers, optical components, electronics, and test equipment. John is the author of Novare’s chemistry, physics, and physical science textbooks, as well as many other resources. He has 3 adult children and lives with his wife in San Antonio, Texas.