Published: September 10, 2008

Teaching Secrets: Thriving in the Science Classroom

When I entered the world of science teaching, I soon realized that the official job description didn't begin to cover the real work of my new profession. As daunting as this realization was, I also quickly came to see that it would be up to me to make genuine teaching and learning happen in my classroom, whatever it took.

As I worked through the inevitable trials and tribulations of a new teacher, I made notes of all the things I needed to know and the questions I found myself asking. With luck, new science teachers won't face the same questions I faced. (I certainly hope they don’t.) But just in case, I'm sharing my first five questions here--with the answers I'm now able to give after a lengthy teaching career.

To set the context, let me say that most of my science teaching has taken place in the middle grades, and that I came to teaching from a “first career” as a research scientist specializing in virology. I’ve taught many kinds of students in a variety of school settings and served on several national panels related to science education. Now,...