Bio of a "Mad" Scientist
I used to be a “Mad Scientist.” In some ways, I still am. As a passionate STEM educator, I have always been "crazy" about joyfully teaching and learning science. Before becoming a licensed teacher, I worked as a “Mad Scientist,” also known as “Dr. Cool,” where I led after-school science clubs and summer camps for budding young scientists aged 5 to 10. This early experience laid the foundation for my teaching career and instilled in me the importance of humor, play, and hands-on learning as powerful tools for helping children grow wonder, while making sense of the world around them.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned throughout my teaching journey is that every child is a natural-born scientist with an innate sense of wonder and inquiry. My goal is to honor and nurture that curiosity through joyful, innovative, engaging, and student-centered learning experiences.
Inspired by the words of Loris Malaguzzi, “Nothing without joy,” I now guide my teaching with a Reggio Emilia-inspired pedagogy, creating joyful learning environments where young scientists are encouraged to think deeply and explore STEM concepts in meaningful ways. If you joined me for a day, we would be growing a joyful culture of science throughout our learning community. We might start in my classroom, co-researching with young physicists our guiding question, “What moves?” through differentiated learning provocations. Next, we might join students in homerooms to guide them in coding robots during literacy lessons. Then, we might change locations to investigate Newton’s Laws of Motion during P.E., or present to parents on the role of virtual reality in 21st-century education. Later, we might collaborate with grade-level teachers to build a transdisciplinary unit of inquiry. Throughout our day of joyful teaching and learning adventures, we would be sure to coach individual students on their passion projects. “Nothing without joy.”
With over 20 years of unique teaching experience, I have developed a deep understanding of how to integrate STEM into elementary learning in ways that foster inquiry, collaboration, a growth mindset, and academic rigor. I am seeking a position at an international school where I can continue to collaborate with a dynamic and progressive learning community to increase the presence of STEM and inquiry-based learning. Whether serving as a homeroom teacher, STEM coach, or "Mad Scientist," I am dedicated to inspiring the next generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers, joyfully.
Please visit my digital portfolio at robertzook.com to find out more.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned throughout my teaching journey is that every child is a natural-born scientist with an innate sense of wonder and inquiry. My goal is to honor and nurture that curiosity through joyful, innovative, engaging, and student-centered learning experiences.
Inspired by the words of Loris Malaguzzi, “Nothing without joy,” I now guide my teaching with a Reggio Emilia-inspired pedagogy, creating joyful learning environments where young scientists are encouraged to think deeply and explore STEM concepts in meaningful ways. If you joined me for a day, we would be growing a joyful culture of science throughout our learning community. We might start in my classroom, co-researching with young physicists our guiding question, “What moves?” through differentiated learning provocations. Next, we might join students in homerooms to guide them in coding robots during literacy lessons. Then, we might change locations to investigate Newton’s Laws of Motion during P.E., or present to parents on the role of virtual reality in 21st-century education. Later, we might collaborate with grade-level teachers to build a transdisciplinary unit of inquiry. Throughout our day of joyful teaching and learning adventures, we would be sure to coach individual students on their passion projects. “Nothing without joy.”
With over 20 years of unique teaching experience, I have developed a deep understanding of how to integrate STEM into elementary learning in ways that foster inquiry, collaboration, a growth mindset, and academic rigor. I am seeking a position at an international school where I can continue to collaborate with a dynamic and progressive learning community to increase the presence of STEM and inquiry-based learning. Whether serving as a homeroom teacher, STEM coach, or "Mad Scientist," I am dedicated to inspiring the next generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers, joyfully.
Please visit my digital portfolio at robertzook.com to find out more.