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SCIENCE
GRADES K-12
Science is a class where students are encouraged to question, explore and engage in the world around them. They will use prior knowledge to further engage in topics through experiments. Students in grades K-12 will generally study the same topics during the year, but activities are differentiated to meet skill levels of the students.
This upcoming school year we will start with an activity in each class where students work together to practice, review and strengthen their science skills and get to know their classmates. We will also spend time during those weeks learning about and/or reviewing the metric system. Students will identify and use a variety of lab equipment items to better understand how and when to use them.
Our first big unit of the year for Kindergarten and 1st grade will be all about bugs! We will learn how to classify types of bugs and identify their characteristics. We will also spend time practicing science skills (measuring, observing, and working together with classmates) and then learn all about crayfish and owl pellets after winter break. We will finish the year in the spring with a unit on plants.
Grades 2-9 will start the year working on science team building activities and then move into a big unit on Electricity and Magnetism. We will dissect after winter break and spend time in the spring learning about plants.
The 10th-12th grade students will spend the year working on a variety of STEM activities.
I am looking forward to a wonderful year with your children. My biggest wish is for them to enjoy science, ask endless questions about our topics and become more aware of science in their everyday lives.
MEET SARAH TROSPER
K-12 SCIENCE TEACHER
EDUCATION
I attended Drake University to receive my B.S. in Biology and Secondary Education. Then I went on to attend Iowa State University to receive my M.S. in Science Education.
EXPERIENCE
I taught middle school science and high school biology for the Des Moines Public Schools for 10 years. When our oldest daughter was born, I was able to stay home and continued substitute teaching part-time. I began teaching for the HSAP program in 2014.
FAMILY
Mom to Abby (sophomore at Iowa), John (senior), Kate (sophomore) and Wrigley (our 4 year old golden retriever).
INTERESTS
I enjoy traveling, spending time with extended family, going on long walks and working in my yard. John and Kate are both very involved in competitive swimming so I spend a lot of time attending swim meets, both high school and club, and love to visit Abby in Iowa City. Fall is my favorite time of the year with the beautiful colors, crisp weather and Hawkeye football!
WHY I LOVE TEACHING
I love sharing my love of science and nature with my students. Watching their eyes light up when they bring a science show and tell or share a "science experience" with me is one of my favorite moments as a teacher!
