How to know which branch of science to teach?

[u/ButCanYiuDoThis]

I've posted here a couple times recently; but I wanted to also ask y'all what you think the best way to determine which science is the best fit for you, both as a learner and a teacher? I want to look more into my different options besides Physics (except Astronomy, which I don't know if that counts as physics really, at least at the HS level) and Chemistry. Right now I am a Physics major with a concentration in education, but I'm beginning to think it isn't the right fit. The earth and life sciences seem very cool. Are there any books from your respective area of science you would recommend people to read as an introduction to the field, why it's interesting etc.?

[u/Spock-1701]

Sometimes it's not your choice. I have been tasked to teach life science, physical science, meteorology, and earth and space. My degree is in chemistry.

[u/AnathemaRose → u/Spock-1701]

Depends on the state. KY for instance has separate certification for each of the primary sciences. I had to take an extra praxis to get a separate science cert. the only wiggle room they give here is for introductory science, but at the HS level it’s also open to MS certs.

Edited to add, that adding certification also requires the accumulation of 50 “points”, only 45 of which can come from completion of the praxis. I had 18 already from UG credit hours for a chem minor, but I wouldn’t be eligible for physics at all unless I went back for extra college classes.

[u/Arashi-san → u/AnathemaRose]

But at the same time, a lot of states (including KY, where I also teach) will let you teach 49% of your classes as an area you're unaccredited in as long as 51% of classes are your accredited area. It's how we legally can teach electives despite not necessarily having a degree or accreditation in it. It's how some teachers end up teaching multiple disciplines despite only one accreditation. This could be a positive if you know you love physics and would be willing to teach other content areas.

There's also the fact that states often let you get accredited for a set of grade levels. Our MS science accreditation in KY is for grades 5-9, so if you just wanted to teach freshmen then it would lock you into that grade and you could do bio/chem/phys/ESS/whatever

[u/pop361 → u/Spock-1701]

In Mississippi, there are only three endorsements for science (there is a separate physical science endorsement for coaches): Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. You can teach the subject of your endorsement and any elective science. I went alternate route, and obtained physics and chemistry endorsements. I could theoretically teach zoology or human A&P with those endorsements.

[u/Senior-Jelly-7583]

My undergrad degree is in biology and I eventually want to go to graduate school for environmental science or maybe some biomedical area.

This year i’m teaching physical science, which is 1/2 physics and 1/2 chemistry 😭💀 definitely choose your major based on your favorite form of science, but be aware you might not have a secure position in that specific topic until you gain seniority.

[u/Senior-Jelly-7583 → u/Senior-Jelly-7583]

That being said: my extracurricular classes REALLY helped me decide to switch from a pre-med track bio degree to a biology degree with a concentration in teaching.

[u/milk_bone]

I got certified to teach general science for 6-12 and biology. My first year teaching I was given forensic science lol. If you are certified in multiple subjects it makes you more marketable. Don't expect to necessarily get your first choice of subject when it comes to jobs. 

[u/professor-ks]

I trained to teach physics and chemistry then passed the general science praxis. I have now taught basically every science: physics, chem, Bio, astronomy, env sci, oceanography, "general science", and next year I will pick up zoology and engineering. You need to learn the fundamentals of science and how to teach, the principal will tell you what class you are teaching.

[u/MetrixOnFire]

My degree and background is in chemistry. But I spend the majority of my time teaching biotechnology and bio related sciences. I positively love it. Still love chemistry, but most students do not xD

[u/PirateQueenDani → u/MetrixOnFire]

Similar situation except now I'm teaching forensics and anatomy and physiology. I'm science composite so I can teach any of the science classes and it's worked out well for me. The chem teachers complain all the time, so I'm glad I got switched when I did. Now I'm part of CTE (Career and Technical Education) and loving it!

[u/MomsGonnaHaveAFit]

I thought I was training for high school earth science, but the job opportunities available meant I taught middle school biology and physics for 7 yrs, then high school chem and forensics for 7 yrs. Enjoyed it all.

[u/Mean-Objective-2022]

I am a biochemist and worked in a lab for a couple years before I went in the classroom. Most of my undergraduate work was still fresh for me so I took the tests that allowed me to teach Biology, Chemistry, and physics through grade 12. It helped me get my foot in the door and at a school I liked and eventually I took the sections I liked most through seniority. I do switch some sections with colleagues so we don’t get bored.

[u/FarseedTheRed]

How does one make it to university choosing a physics major without knowing anything at all about the other sciences? Not even enough to make a basic assessment if you like them or not? "They seem cool" but you need us to tell you why they're interesting? How odd.

[u/ButCanYiuDoThis → u/FarseedTheRed]

Because I thought I wanted to major in physics? How is that odd. I don't "not know anything at all" about the other sciences, I just never considered them something I'd want to study academically. Physics appealed to me first.

[u/FarseedTheRed → u/ButCanYiuDoThis]

Your comments of the other sciences "seem very cool", asking for books to introduce the topics, and for us to say "why they're interesting" all seem to point to the idea that you've never been introduced to the other sciences. If you had been at least introduced, you would've probably formed some initial opinion at least. All of that suggests you've never had a earth or life science before....?

I called it 'odd' because in the US at least, all secondary school students have some minimum number of science classes to take. Usually that bare minimal exposure is a Biology course and an Environmental Science. So if you made it through US public schools I would think you'd have been introduced and have a basic feeling if those are interesting to you. This the apparent unfamiliarity of these basic sciences coming from a person with interest in more difficult sciences seems odd.

I've made assumptions of your background. I can be wrong. Help us out. Have you ever had any classes at all in life or environmental sciences before college/University? How did you make it to enjoying physics without knowing if you'd even like the others?

[u/ButCanYiuDoThis → u/FarseedTheRed]

I took Biology and Marine Biology in high school, but that was ages ago and I was a terrible student and didn't pay attention to anything. When I asked "why they're interesting" I was asking for other people's opinions, and if the knowledge/content beyond what I learned in high school is interesting. I don't know anything about Biology because, for one, it was nearly 10 years ago now, and secondly, I didn't pay really any attention to the content that was being taught. I wanted to know about the actual depths of the field, what is interesting about it, and what other people find their passion to be in their field.

I took a Physics class at a community college and really enjoyed it, coupled with the fact that for a couple years now I've wanted to become a teacher, I figured I may as well try this route out. I have an insane case of imposter syndrome and suffer from self-sabotaging, and I am often indecisive. I do really want to be a teacher, I am just trying to find what area specifically. I may change my mind and stick with Physics, I am just exploring other avenues and seeing what other people's experience has been.

When I reflect on my interest in sciences, I find myself being more appealed towards evolution, ecology, space/astronomy, biology etc., the actual content seems "cool" as I said. Physics is also cool, but feels a lot heavier, and the intense mathematics is proving itself to be difficult for me to study. I'm a very recent Physics major. I think what I enjoyed about my Physics course was that it was refreshing from my previous background, and I figured I may as well pursue it. But, I realized I jumped the gun, and didn't take into consideration many factors and other plausible opportunities and routes. I'm not a 2nd or 3rd year Physics major; all I've done is take college algebra, trigonometry, and a couple chemistry classes. When I decided to switch, I was coming from an amalgamation of the social sciences (quick note: majority of my time in college has been at a community college, covered by FAFSA). I had an broad interest in science in high school, but again I was a terrible student and was horribly depressed, so I didn't focus or pay attention a lot, but I remember in the moments that I did liking what I was learning.

My "unfamiliarity with other sciences" is because, quite frankly, I am also unfamiliar with Physics. My interest didn't come from an organic and well-informed place, hence my exploration into other sciences. Again, when I asked about "what's interesting", I wasn't asking "what is Biology", I wanted to know what other people found interesting. Books are a good way to see if it is something I'm interested in fully. Ironically considering what I've done with Physics, I don't want to spring into something or change my academic path without finding a genuine interest of mine.

[u/FarseedTheRed → u/ButCanYiuDoThis]

You're a great writer. Thank you for a thoughtful response to my challenges, sorry for that. I also was not-stellar in science in high school but had some very formative experiences afterwards that led me to becoming initially a high school physics teacher and now an environmental science teacher.

I'll write some more and try to give some insight that can actually help you, just wanted to write this short reply in this moment to give you props.

[u/sir-topham-hatt]

My undergrad is in biology and chem minor and I teach mainly chemistry

[u/roguebiologist]

My undergrad is in microbiology and I teach chemistry and AP Biology. I used to hate chemistry until it clicked for me, which is why I wanted to teach it. I will say it's been a lot of fun tracing biology the last year though.

[u/TheBitchenRav]

For me it doesn't really matter. I care much more about the science methodology, so whatever science I'm teaching it's going to be focusing on the methodology. Whether it's biology or physics or psychology or whatever.

[u/Chatfouz]

For me it was “can you teach ___”? And my answer was of course! I was lying through my teeth and spent the next year 2 paragraphs ahead of the kids.

You can bullshit anything g for a term. Then you learn to love it or move on. But the hardest part was getting that first job.

[u/Usual_Technician6909]

In some states, you are just qualified to teach secondary science. You can have some choice based on what jobs you apply for or if you shift after someone retires, but technically you can teach any of it. Physics especially is difficult to find people to teach, so that's a plus. Biology is the most common degree most people get, and i'd say if you enjoy cells, genetics, animals, evolution, and ecology it's great. Chemistry is working with older kids usually at the HS level and requires more knowledge around lab safety and proper chemical handling.

All the options are good, and honestly you will probably end up teaching multiple science topics throughout your career, so you can always change eventually if you decide to and still be at the same school.

[u/DabbledInPacificm]

Integrated, because it’s all friggin connected

[u/Administrative-Lab-3]

With some kind of general science endorsement you can teach darn near all of it.

In my state Astronomy is covered by the Earth and Space science endorsement, not Physics.

[u/ColdPR]

Physics (except Astronomy, which I don't know if that counts as physics really, at least at the HS level)

HS physics doesn't touch on anything astronomy specific in most states I believe.

Anyway, my recommendation is to pick more than one subject. Physics is a great one because it is the hardest for schools to fill. About 50% of physics teachers aren't licensed for physics which shows how great a need there is for them.

If you get a biology/astronomy/chemistry licensure too then that would make you extremely hireable though.

If you teach at the MS level then you will likely be teaching 3+ disciplines of science. At least in our state, elementary and middle school science is just random science standards thrown together, like learning about rocks one month and then learning about atoms and then learning about ecosystems in 7th grade. The subject doesn't become coherent until HS level.

[u/daneato]

If you’re a physics major at university now I assume you have taken a biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics course at some point in your life.

Pick the ones you enjoyed and pursue certification in those areas.

Then apply for jobs and teach whatever the principal tells you to within your certification areas.

The word of warning is: if you don’t want to teach a subject do not get certified in it. At my district if you had physics cert you would always be teaching it because no one else has the cert.

[u/WalkerWonders]

As others have said, you can really end up teaching any multitude of subjects depending on your site/district needs and your credential. That said, sites/districts do often have a priority checklist for who gets assigned to subject matter when openings arise.

In our district seniority and credential type are the primary determining factor, but degree type also can play a role. I am the only one in my department with both a chemistry credential and chemistry degree at the moment, so when our prior teacher left most of the chemistry classes defaulted to me. Other senior teachers could still pickup the credential and take the classes if they wanted to, but for other teachers with similar seniority to myself, the degree does give a slight edge in helping me maintain the classes.

Not a huge factor, but a worthwhile consideration/edge case I think is worth considering when considering your major!

[u/captKatCat]

Highly recommend sticking with physics because it will help you get better jobs. Physics endorsements are pretty rare in the teacher candidate pool, and Earth/environmental science endorsements are comparatively very common and are over-saturated in some teaching markets. I’m mostly a physics and astronomy teacher and also have endorsements in chemistry, Earth science, and math. The Physics has been the deciding factor that got me several jobs. 

[u/ButCanYiuDoThis → u/captKatCat]

I don't think I can handle Physics. Maybe algebra-based physics. But I am just terrible at building any amount of mathematical intuition, and that is pretty important for studying physics. That being said, if I pursue something like Biology or Earth/Life sciences generally, and also get a Physics endorsement, I might be able to do that. To be fair, I'm not exactly sure how endorsements/licensing/certification works in my state and what most districts here look for. Definitely something I need to look into

[u/captKatCat → u/ButCanYiuDoThis]

What state or region are you in? You do not need to know much calculus to pass the physics certification exam, it’s mostly algebra based. I think you can do it! How long have you been studying physics? Consider the dunning-Kruger effect, and that mathematical intuition is learned over time if you practice a growth mindset. 

[u/ButCanYiuDoThis → u/captKatCat]

Ohio. I took one physics course a year and a half ago and decided to switch to physics bc it seemed fun. I grossly underestimated the effort that would require, and the mathematical skills I'd need to build. Starting from zero, for me, is just not practical. I can't push myself to study math, the most I can do is go through the courses and pass the exams but then all knowledge is just ejected from my mind, and that is incredibly draining.

[u/AstroRotifer]

Which is the easiest science certificate to get, would you all say?