Teacher's Philosophy

Science teachers need to see themselves as scientists. This would represent a major shift in the way that we approach science education in this country. Science is not a body of knowledge, but rather a process and a way of looking at the world. When science teachers actively engage in research they sharpen their own skills, get in touch with the wider world of science, and inspire their students. Simply put, when teachers do science they are able to teach kids how to do science.

When I began getting involved in research, it changed my entire approach to teaching and learning. Click on this text to hear the talk describing my first research project outside of the classroom, a 1000 mile expedition by kayak on the Mississippi River. The project spilled over into the classroom and changed my thinking on what the high school science classroom could and should be.