Joe Sumrall of the University of Mississippi School of Education has recently published his very first e-book.
The text titled Doing What Scientists and Engineers Do: How to Create an Elementary Science Classroom Where Students Are Successful at Doing Science and Engineering, is aimed at pre-service teachers with the goal of helping educators make science in a K-6 classroom setting practical, educational and enjoyable. The e-book was published by Sentia Publishing in Austin, Texas.
“The main goal of this book is to give school children the feeling like they could actually be a scientist or an engineer,” explained Sumrall, a professor of elementary education. “Even if your kids don’t go on to become scientists, as a teacher, it’s nice to know that 30 years from now, those kids will remember something from your class.”
Sumrall has been with UM since 2000. In 2012, he received the honor of being named the state’s Outstanding College Science Teacher by the Mississippi Science Teachers Association. His new book is a culmination of decades of experience and research in the field of science education.
Lauren Poelker is a senior elementary education major at UM. Poelker is enrolled in Science in the Elementary School, a senior-level course taught by Sumrall.
“We use this book in class daily and it provides us with wonderful discussion questions and experiments,” she said. “I like that it’s an e-book because it makes it easier to search through, plus you don’t have to worry about lugging around a physical book every day.”
The book combines lessons and data Sumrall has collected and published throughout his career with more recent research and field experience to provide an insightful guide into teaching science and engineering to children.
Sumrall said that he’d like to see more inquiry-based lessons in classrooms rather than having every single thing taught from a lecture or textbook. He believes that allowing children to be involved in a lesson can increase their benefit from the experience exponentially.
“Although the book is aimed at pre-service teaching candidates, I could see it being a beneficial resource to early in-service teachers as well,” Sumrall said.
The book is available for purchase through Sentia Publishing and is priced at $30 a copy.
By Chaning Green
