Despite only joining Nayland last term, new science teacher Sterling Cathman has proven to be very popular already. With his unconventional teaching methods, paying attention in class has never been so much fun!
Mr Cathman鈥檚 characteristic American accent is as pungent as ever, despite him moving from Minnesota to New Zealand about 25 years ago. Nelson drew him in with its beautiful outdoors, and most of his time off is spent tramping, skiing, playing tennis, paddling, mountain biking, and yachting.
Mr Cathman first started teaching 10 years ago at Boys College and has since taught at Youth Nelson and primary schools all over the area. In fact, Mr Cathman has been instrumental in pioneering science education in primary schools nationwide. He鈥檚 also starred in his 鈥楳r Science鈥� shows while on tour, performing all over the country.
He鈥檚 found his various teaching-based occupations over the years all very rewarding. 鈥淚t鈥檚 kids learning about the real world, and just having them go 鈥榳hoa,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 a bit of a child myself, I haven鈥檛 grown up.鈥�
Mr Cathman鈥檚 love of teaching science stems from his own fascination with the subject. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about learning everything. That鈥檚 what I like. You do art in science, you do maths in science, it鈥檚 just all about learning.鈥�
His teaching methods aim to showcase the idea that learning can be fun, as well as useful. 鈥淪ome areas of science can get really academic and complicated 鈥� sometimes [students] just need something that relates to their life. That鈥檚 my job, to make it something they want to participate in.鈥�
From teaching primary school aged kids right up to secondary level young adults, Mr Cathman finds that students鈥� enthusiasm for science is universal. 鈥淭he same stuff works!鈥� he said. 鈥淭ornado tubes for example, I do it in Year 1, and I鈥檓 doing it in Year 11 and they鈥檙e still like 鈥榳ow!鈥欌��
His classes involve everything from popping popcorn and learning about states of matter, to building popsicle stick catapults and learning about elastic potential energy. And being a natural performer, he certainly appreciates a bit of pizzazz. 鈥淓xploding things and setting things on fire, that鈥檚 what people wanna do!鈥� he said.
While the more traditional may be skeptical, this approach to teaching has served him well. 鈥淪ometimes students don鈥檛 even realise that they鈥檙e learning stuff,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 what comes with engagement, it鈥檚 not always in a book or on a piece of paper, sometimes it comes with using your hands and doing experiments or building something.鈥�
By student reporter Maya Jayasena
