Making Science Real

......Teaching and learning science in the real world

I started this site....

… because kids are curious. About everything.  They find joy in discovery, in exploring, and in finding answers.

…. because students don’t always want to do the hard work to master science concepts and skills.

… because, like me, you want to help your students explore and learn at every stage of their lives. Giving students the very best can be difficult. Supporting student mastery is difficult.

You don’t have to re-invent the wheel (yes, I teach physics) because I’m sharing what I’ve learned and what I’ve created, with much feedback from other teachers and most importantly, from students.

You come too
Into the forest we go ..... to lose our minds and find our souls.*

* paraphrasing John Muir

.... as a mission ....

Teaching is hard. It still is, after 3 decades. Differently hard, but still hard.

We ask constantly: How do I best help students figure this out?  Will this strategy work? I need a lab (group activity, assignment, project, sub lesson, slide deck, whatever) to guide student learning.

I couldn’t find the resources I needed; resources that would best serve my students.

So, I wrote them. And re-wrote them, with feedback from colleagues and students.

I’ve made so many changes in my classroom since the early days. I have probably planned, made, tried, used, and refined 10x over whatever resource it is you are looking for. It’s all here, or coming soon. I’m always looking for suggestions. Leave a comment or email me at [email protected] 

.... to share my values and understandings ....

About Student Learning

All students can learn. Students are born curious and ready. It’s our role to foster and support this curiosity.

About Learning Science

How often do you hear, “I’m not good at science,” from students, parents, even from colleagues?

I know the answer: too often. Together, we can put an end to that. We can make science doable and real.

Grades and Learning

I get discouraged when students ask, “How can I get enough points to pass?” Instead of “grades” and “passing” we work on learning, knowing that when the learning takes place, the grade takes care of itself.

...to help you teach the hard things.

What are the benefits for you?

  • The suggestions, lessons, ideas, and materials you find here have been student-tested and refined many times, based on student feedback. They work.
  • Classroom materials are supported by directions, alternative strategies for use, ways to differentiate,  and a look at how I use resources and ideas in my classroom, all right here on this blog,
  • You’ll get peace of mind, knowing that the materials you provide for students will enrich their curiosity and support their learning.
  • You’ll get time. Time to work with students, to give feedback. Time to spend with your own family and friends.

About Me

I used to want to be a marine biologist, archaeologist, molecular biologist, zookeeper, biochemist, nuclear physicist, writer, field biologist, chemical engineer, artist, astronaut geneticist, evolutionary entomologist, pyrotechnician, cat-herder, and wildlife activist.  Turns out, I found a profession that lets me be most of those things while having the time of my life with kids all day. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Hi! I'm Luann

I’m a cyclist and scuba diver (retired mixed gas/technical instructor) who recently moved back to the Midwest from the Pacific Northwest.  I was a volunteer diver at the local aquarium (I washed windows and vacuumed shark poo and other debris from the exhibits, and no, we didn’t take the sharks out and put them in giant buckets while we were diving.)

My dissertation addresses what teachers of grades 4-8 learn (or not) about science and science pedagogy, particularly inquiry, while teaching via the Internet (currently very relevant.) The results illustrate the importance of teaching the art of deeply and accurately reflecting on one’s learning, for both teachers and students.  Now that it’s finished, defended, and published, I have a few other projects on the burners.  My husband is afraid.

Anything posted here is my own work and does not reflect the position of my employer, university affiliations,  NBPTS, my husband,  my dogs, and certainly not my cat.

Technical stuff

  • I hold the following degrees and credentials:
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, The Ohio State University. Major – animal nutrition
  • Studied biology, chemistry, physics, geology, and math at Wright State University to obtain Ohio teaching credentials in both Comprehensive Science and Mathematics grades 7-12
  • Master of Science in Education, Wright State University, Curriculum and Instruction
  • Ed.D. in Science Education, Ball State University
  • National Board Certification, Adolescent/Young Adult Science, 1998 – 2028 (read my story here)
  • 35 years teaching in public high schools in 3 states
  • Adjunct instructor at 4 public state universities in 4 states