Sparkling Science

Rated 4.86 out of 5, based on 403 reviews

253 Followers

Tennessee, United States

About the store

I have been a middle school science teacher for over ten years now. I have experience in 7th and 8th grade. I started the STEM program for my school. I have experience teaching 6th-8th grade STEM. Now, I begin my journey as a high school STEM teacher. I will be teaching Principles of Engineering, Engineering 1 & 2, and Engineering Practicum. I also hold the titles of PLC leader, leadership team member, and science department chair.

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Hands-On Labs

The Scientific Method

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Writing a Hypothesis for the Scientific Method (If-Then Statement Practice)

Created by

Sparkling Science

Students will practice writing "If-Then" hypotheses from scientific questions with this activity. Developing hypotheses from scientific questions can be difficult for middle school level students. This activity will allow them the practice they need in order to develop testable hypotheses. Copy the questions and tape them around the room. If you'd like to keep the students in their seats, you could make enough copies for every group of students. My students did this activity in pairs and

6th - 10th

Basic Principles, General Science, Writing

The Scientific Method: Taste Buds Experiment

Created by

Sparkling Science

Students will use their inquiry skills to work through the scientific method in order to investigate if the location of taste buds has anything to do with taste. There is a student response sheet to go along with this activity. Students will love getting to taste the different "unknown" liquids. It's very fun to watch their reactions as they taste something they don't really like! Set Up: Place different "unknown" liquids at each station...or you could place one at each station and have stud

6th - 11th

Basic Principles, General Science, Other (Science)

The Scientific Method: Card Sorting Experiment

Created by

Sparkling Science

What a fun, hands-on way for students to learn how to gather information and identify the variables in an experiment! Students will use playing cards to investigate the question "How fast can I sort a deck of cards: color or suit?" Hand each small group of students a deck of cards. One student will sort the cards as the other student times how fast they sort them. Round 1: Sort by color Round 2: Sort by suit Students can trade places to collect their own data. There's a student response

3rd - 10th

Basic Principles, General Science, Other (Science)

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About the store

Experience

Teaching style

My lessons are very fast-paced and I have my students moving around a lot. I enjoy having students compete, work in small groups, participate in whole group discussions, participate in hands-on activities, and show their skills through independent tasks. I basically plan my lessons using the following format: Bell work/Hook, Competition, Whole group instruction, Competition, Small group activity, Individual practice, and Closure. I honestly feel like I engage all students. I take pride in the student connections I make each year. My students miss my class the next year. With my STEM students, they are participating in project-based and problem-based learning. They build and create almost daily.

Awards & shining teacher moments

I have been named Teacher of the Year. I work at a very high achieving school so this honor means so much to me. I am surrounded by great teachers who are also looking to learn new things. I have been awarded several grants over the past ten years. In Samsung's Solve for Tomorrow grant competition, I was a top three finalist for the state.

My own education history

I earned my degree in Biology from Middle Tennessee State University in 2005. I also took graduate courses from MTSU and am now STEM certified.

Additional biographical information

I didn't originally go to college to be a teacher. I was a pre-med student...but I always had an inner passion to teach. I loved being a student growing up (and still enjoy sitting in a classroom). When I first graduated college, I worked as an Educational Assistant in a high school setting then decided I NEEDED to teach. I soon enrolled into a graduate program on the "alternate license" route. There I was, teaching in an 8th grade classroom with no experience...I mean...didn't even know what a "standard" was...going to grad school at night...coaching softball...and PREGNANT. What a first year! Looking back on it, it seems a lot harder than it really was. For one, I'm a very stubborn person...and two, I love teaching. I can say that I am truly doing what I was born to do. I am a mom, a wife, and a teacher. Life is good.