Sarah Young
National Science Foundation
Office of International Science and Engineering
Utah, Middle School Science
Sarah Reeves Young is an eighth grade physical science teacher from Rowland Hall Middle School in Salt Lake City, Utah. Aside from her work in the classroom, Young continues to be involved in the academic realm as an adjunct professor for Westminster College where she teaches Masters students in secondary science methods. She is also the Program Director for the Teacher Training Institute, a collaborative Master of Arts in Teaching program with Westminster College and Rowland Hall that creates a unique learning environment for pre-service teachers in the Intermountain West, leading to a secondary school teaching license. Young also coaches middle school girls’ volleyball, basketball, and soccer.
Young earned a B.A. in Environmental, Population, and Organism Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2004 and a M.A. in Secondary Science Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2005.
Young presented at the National Science Teachers Association Conference in 2009-11 and at the Utah Science Teacher Association Conference in in 2009-10. She has published in NSTA’s Science Scope and her book Gourmet Lab: The Scientific Principles Behind Your Favorite Foods, was published in April 2011. This collection of 15 hands-on experiments challenges students to take on the role of scientist and chef as they boil, bake, and toast their way to better understanding of science concepts from chemistry, biology, and physics. Young is a former Academies Creating Teacher Scientists Fellow with the Jefferson Lab in Newport News, Virginia, Solar System Educator with NASA, and a Space Foundation Teacher Liaison.
Sarah is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists. “As a teacher, I foster students’ natural curiosity by providing examples of how the science content from class is reflected in the everyday world around them. From the simple machines used while eating, to the inaccuracy of sound and motion in space while watching a Star Wars clip, I use creative insights to connect these concepts to the daily lives of students. I am passionate about science education for all students and strive to help everyone find their inner scientist.”
Young is serving her fellowship with the National Science Foundation in the Office of International Science and Engineering where she has been assigned to work with the International Research Experiences for Students program in the Americas region.