What’s your favourite “wow” moment you’ve seen in the classroom?
That spark you see in a student’s eyes when a difficult concept ‘clicks’ into place – that leap from classroom concept to real-world understanding.
How do you make complex scientific concepts accessible and fun for students?
I find the best way to do this is to show them how it works in real life – even better if I can do it with an experiment or demonstration. Also, breaking big ideas down into smaller ones and explicitly teaching vocabulary by using games and puzzles really boosts student understanding.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to teachers looking to ignite a passion for science in their students?
Make it real and relatable. Once your students realise that science is how we explain how the world around us works, they’ll be hooked for life.
How do you incorporate real-world applications into your science lessons to enhance student engagement?
Magic tricks! Simple demonstrations of scientific principles that kids can do at home and teach their whānau how it works.
What do you see as the biggest barrier to student achievement in science classrooms?
Definitely literacy. So many students struggle to understand scientific vocabulary, especially if it isn’t explicitly taught. It often makes students feel that science is too hard for them, when really, they have a great grasp of the concepts but struggle to find the words to fit.
About Julia Burton
Julia Burton holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Otago University, New Zealand. She later completed her Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) at Victoria University. Julia taught science and chemistry at Upper Hutt College before taking time out to raise her children. She now works as a structured literacy tutor, combining her love of language, science, and teaching to support young learners and develop high-quality educational resources.
