Sarah Young

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.