Science with Stewart: exploring, growing and blowing stuff up!

Interviewed by Elaine Law 

Can you introduce yourself?

Hi, I’m Mrs. Stewart! I teach MYP science and chemistry.

Why did you decide to become a science teacher? 

Good question. Well, my mother was a science teacher, and when I was growing up, I was quite exposed to science. I spent a lot of time investigating and doing experiments from an early age, and I think that was very fun and interesting. I also found my passion for teaching when I  taught in South Korea for a year. 

How do you feel about teaching?

I love it! I love teaching! I like it when students learn to ask questions, when they find their own love of learning, and I just like having students learn how to play but learn at the same time. I love that science let's students get curious and ask questions like "I wonder..." to learn more about the world around them. And then they get the chance to find the answers to their own questions and come to their own understanding about the world. 

What’s your favourite part about science?

For me, it’s the hands-on/practical stuff. We can grow plants, we can do experiments, we can build, explore, and get a lot of opportunities to do our own investigations.  

What’s the best and worst thing about being a science teacher?

The best thing is I get to do a lot of fun stuff - I get to blow stuff up, I get to blow up fireworks etc. It’s also lovely hearing students say that this was the best day/lesson ever because they had a really cool experience that they will never forget. But the worst part about teaching science is that it’s also dangerous. Students are more likely to get hurt in science class than in, say, English class. It’s also smelly, messy, dangerous, and of course, there’s all the marking that I have to do. 

What’s your favourite science joke?

What hobbies do you do outside of school?

I like to play outside, so rock climbing, backpacking, caving, kayaking… I also like to read science fiction and fantasy, to cook, bake and make my own recipes.

What’s your favourite Sci-fi novel? 

The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov, but I am really more of an epic fantasy reader. My favourite series is the Malazan series by Steven Erikson, and every series written by Brandon Sanderson. 

Any advice for students?

"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old when we stop playing". Be yourself and don't be afraid to keep having fun. Never get rid of the desire to climb a tree, play in the rain, or walk in a waterfall.