Catherine Oates-Bockenstedt

Author Biographies

Catherine Oates-Bockenstedt

Catherine has been a teacher of science at the middle-school level for over twenty years. She received both her BA and MA in Science Education from the University of Northern Iowa. Certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (Early Adolescent Science), she credits the professional development opportunities she has had with NBPTS and with NASA Space Academy for Educators for providing the impetus to write Earth Science Success. Wife of Paul, a natural resources biologist, and mother of Lara and Daniel, she lives with her family in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, where she is currently co-chair of the science department at Central Middle School. She is very grateful for the support of her family, friends, and colleagues.

Michael D. Oates

Without his contributions, this book never would have been a possibility. Diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer, shortly after seeing Earth Science Success become a best seller for the National Science Teachers Association, he passed away in February of 2009. Michael retired after forty-two years as a teacher at both the secondary and university levels, Michael received his Ph.D. in French and Linguistics from Georgetown University. He has been a teacher trainer in summer language institutes in both France and the United States. He received a national award for Excellence in the Teaching of Culture from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages and is the author of two French textbooks, both published by Houghton Mifflin[[TO BE MODIFIED]]. In 2008, he was decorated as Chevalier dans l’ordre des Palmes Académiques by the French Government. Invited by his daughter, Catherine, to collaborate on Earth Science Success, he is currently an avid student of science. He is very grateful for the support of his wife (and Catherine’s mother), Maureen.

Why should I buy this book?

Middle school Earth Science teacher’s days are very busy with large classes, meetings and various duties, grading and correction, class preparation, answering email from parents, etc. Earth Science Success is the result of the authors’ desire to create a notebook-based, ready-to-use, lab-focused, survival guide curriculum that has been field-tested and refined for success in grades 6 through 9. The authors have organized this curriculum into a series of investigations that emphasize the active involvement of students in a discovery process. This book makes the potentially hectic life of a middle school Earth Science teacher easier and more enjoyable.

What is the experience/expertise of the authors in the subject of the book?

The primary author, Catherine, obtained National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification while teaching these lessons. Along with obtaining advanced degrees and training in the content, she has continued to successfully teach middle school science for over twenty years. Her father, Michael, is an experienced author, writer, and teacher-trainer.

Briefly define the content, purpose, and audience of book:

The 50 lesson plans mentioned in the title have been field tested and are based on the National Science Standards and Benchmarks. They include thirty-three investigations (labs), found in the chapters, and seventeen detailed projects (tests, science activities, etc.), found in Appendix B.

Intended primarily for classroom science teachers in grades 6 through 9, as a successful survival guide for teaching a full Earth Science course, Earth Science Success follows a three-step pattern of active involvement in the discovery process which includes anticipation, data collection, and analysis. Earth Science Success will also be a valuable tool to train future science teachers who will enjoy practicing and discussing the investigations and projects featured in this book.