Careers in Science Education

If you have a passion for teaching, there are many ways to pursue a career in science education both in traditional classroom settings and beyond.

Where can I teach?

You could, of course, remain in higher education, opting for faculty positions in smaller liberal arts schools that tend to emphasize teaching over research. Or teach in a community college. Read Science Careers' article Big Thinking at Small Universities for insight into choosing this path.

There are a few training opportunities that can help prepare for a career in higher education, for instance, Harvard Medical School’s Curriculum Fellows Program, “teaching postdocs” sponsored by NIH’s IRACDA (Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Awards) program, and a scholars program at the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL). Other programs are highlighted in this article at Science Careers: A Spoke in the Wheel: Precollege Science Education.

But there are plenty of nonacademic options to consider, as well.

For instance, some PhDs are going back to precollege education and teaching in middle and high schools. Check out this Science Alliance career path video From the PhD to an 8th Grade Science Teacher and Science Careers essay Scientist to Science Teacher.

If you like the idea of educating others but prefer a more informal setting, you could do outreach for academic institutions, professional organizations and societies, and museums. This work can involve developing programs for the public and teaching on a variety of topics to different audiences. Articles that can help illuminate these types of careers are Science Careers’ Careers in Zoos and Museums and Transitioning from Researcher to Outreacher.

How do I know which is right for me?

Deciding which is right for you depends on your own personal preferences. Do you want to be in front of audiences giving lectures or behind the scenes designing programs and curricula? Who do you want your audience to be: the general public, kids, undergraduate and graduate students, or experts? Do you prefer the traditional classroom setting or one that is more informal? Once you can answer these kinds of questions, you can hone in on which path in science education is right for you.

In order to figure out your preferences, it is a good idea to test the waters during graduate school or a postdoc. Most start by being a teaching assistant for an undergraduate or graduate class but there are other ways to get involved. For one, you could work with middle and high school science teachers and their students or teach in an afterschool program like the New York Academy of Sciences' Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program. You could also volunteer at a science museum or givie presentations to the general public through science cafes. Not only will these experiences help you find your calling but are great additions to your CV or resume.

Below are some additional resources that can help you in thinking about a career in science education.