17 High School Science Teacher Interview Questions and Answers

Science teachers are responsible for teaching students about the natural world and the laws that govern it. They must develop lesson plans, create hands-on activities, and grade assignments. In order to become a science teacher, you must have a degree in science education.

If you’re looking for a science teaching job, you will likely need to go through a job interview. During the interview, you will be asked questions about your teaching experience and your knowledge of science. You will also be asked questions about how you plan to engage students in learning science.

To help you prepare for your interview, we have put together a list of questions that you may be asked and sample answers.

Are you certified to teach science in your state?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your background and qualifications. If you are not certified, explain what steps you have taken to become certified.

Example: “I am currently certified in my state to teach science. I completed a bachelor’s degree program with an emphasis on biology and chemistry, which qualified me for certification. However, I also took the necessary coursework to earn a master’s degree in education, which allowed me to apply for certification as a high school teacher. This process was quite intensive, but it helped me understand how to better support students.”

What are some of the most important skills for a high school science teacher to have?

This question can help interviewers understand what you value in a high school science teacher. When answering, it can be helpful to mention skills that are important for all teachers, such as communication and organization skills. You may also want to mention specific skills related to teaching science, such as the ability to explain scientific concepts clearly or how to use technology in the classroom.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for any teacher is strong communication skills. A good teacher should be able to clearly explain complex ideas to students so they can understand them. Another skill I think is essential for a science teacher is an understanding of the subject matter. It’s important to know the basics of each topic you teach so you can answer questions from students.”

How would you create an engaging lesson plan for your students?

Interviewers want to know how you plan your lessons and what strategies you use to keep students engaged. Highlight the steps you take when creating a lesson plan, including any resources or tools you use to help you create engaging content for your students.

Example: “I start by reviewing my curriculum guide and making notes of topics I would like to cover in class. Then, I make sure that all materials are ready before the day starts so I can focus on teaching rather than searching for supplies. I also find it helpful to have an idea of what I will teach each day so I can introduce new concepts gradually over several days. This helps me build student interest and keeps them focused throughout the entire lesson.”

What is your favorite subject to teach and why?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a teacher and how passionate you are about your job. Your answer should show that you enjoy teaching science, but also other subjects if applicable.

Example: “Science is my favorite subject to teach because I love seeing students’ eyes light up when they learn something new. In my last position, I had a student who was struggling with an experiment we were doing on density. He came to me after class one day and asked for extra help. We spent some time together in the lab going over his work until he understood it. When he presented his project to the class, he got an A.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to discipline a student and how you handled the situation.

Discipline is an important part of teaching, and employers may ask this question to see how you handle challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example from your past experience so the employer knows what you’re talking about.

Example: “In my first year as a science teacher, I had a student who was constantly disrupting class by asking questions that were off-topic or unrelated to the lesson plan. At first, I tried to answer his questions in front of the whole class, but he continued to interrupt me. Eventually, I asked him to come to the front of the classroom where we could talk privately. He told me that he didn’t understand the material, and I explained it to him more thoroughly. After that, he stopped disrupting class.”

If a student is struggling in your class, what would you do to help them?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might handle a specific situation. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a time when you helped a student overcome an academic challenge and the steps you took to do so.

Example: “If I noticed that a student was struggling in my class, I would first try to determine what they were having trouble with. If I could identify the problem, I would create a plan for them to work on their skills outside of class. For example, if a student is having trouble understanding a concept, I may assign extra homework or practice questions to help them learn more about the topic.”

What would you do if you noticed a student sleeping in your class?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to take action and hold students accountable for their actions. You can also mention that you would use this situation as an opportunity to teach the class about consequences.

Example: “If I noticed a student sleeping in my class, I would first ask them to stay after class so we could discuss the issue privately. If it was just one instance of falling asleep, I might give them a warning or assign extra homework. However, if they were repeatedly falling asleep in class, I would probably have to call home to let parents know what happened. I would explain to the student that this is something I need to do because I care about their education.”

How well do you handle stress?

High school science teachers often have to manage a lot of information and different types of assignments. Interviewers want to know how you handle stress so they can determine if you are able to complete your work on time. In your answer, explain that you use several techniques to help reduce stress in the classroom.

Example: “I find that I am most productive when I have plenty of time to prepare for my lessons. When I have too many things to do at once, it is more difficult for me to stay calm. To avoid this problem, I always make sure to plan ahead for each lesson. This allows me to prioritize what needs to be done first and helps me feel less stressed during class.”

Do you have any suggestions for ways we could improve our science curriculum?

This question can help interviewers determine your level of experience and how you might fit into the school’s existing curriculum. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific change or addition that you would make to the curriculum if given the opportunity.

Example: “I think one way we could improve our science curriculum is by adding more hands-on activities. I believe students learn best when they are actively engaged in their learning, so I would love to incorporate more practical lessons where students get to use tools like microscopes and other lab equipment. Another suggestion I have is to add an extra day to each week for science class. I feel that having two days per week dedicated to science would allow us to cover material at a deeper level.”

When teaching a concept for the first time, how do you make sure your students understand the material?

Interviewers want to know how you plan your lessons and ensure students understand the material. They also want to see that you have a variety of teaching methods at your disposal. In your answer, describe a time when you taught a concept for the first time and helped students learn it.

Example: “When I teach a new concept for the first time, I always make sure my students understand the basics before moving on to more complex ideas. For example, in my last position, I started each science class with a short lecture about the day’s topic. Then, we would do an experiment or activity related to the lesson. This allowed me to gauge which concepts my students understood and which ones they needed help with.”

We want to improve our graduation rate. What would you do to help our students stay focused on their education?

High school students can sometimes struggle to stay focused on their education. The interviewer wants to know how you would help your students focus and succeed in the classroom. Use examples from your experience that show you understand what it takes for high school students to learn effectively.

Example: “I find that a lot of my students have trouble focusing during class. I try to make sure they’re comfortable, but also keep them engaged with fun activities. For example, I use games and group work to get them talking and interacting with each other. This helps them feel more comfortable and less distracted.”

Describe your teaching style.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your teaching style and how it aligns with their school’s expectations. To answer this question, think about the methods you use in the classroom and describe them in detail. You can also mention any certifications or training you have that support your teaching style.

Example: “I believe that every student learns differently, so I try to create a learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and experimenting. In my last position, I was certified as an STEM teacher, which means I am trained in science, technology, engineering and math education. This certification helped me develop lesson plans that supported all of these subjects. For example, when teaching a unit on cells, I would incorporate lessons on biology, chemistry and mathematics.”

What makes you qualified to teach science?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of science and how you plan to teach it. When answering this question, be sure to highlight any relevant experience or education that makes you qualified to teach high school science.

Example: “I have always been passionate about science, so I decided to pursue a degree in biology. During my undergraduate studies, I took several courses on teaching methods and strategies, which helped me develop my own style of instruction. In addition, I completed an internship at a local middle school where I taught science classes. This experience gave me valuable insight into what students are learning at different ages and stages.”

Which subjects did you teach in your last teaching position?

This question can help an interviewer understand your teaching experience and how you might fit into their school’s curriculum. If they ask this question, it can be helpful to mention a few subjects that are similar to the ones you’re interviewing for.

Example: “In my last position, I taught biology, chemistry and physics. These three subjects were part of our high school curriculum, so I was able to teach them all at once. However, I also had students who needed extra help in one or two of these subjects, so I would break up my lessons by subject and then go over each topic with students individually.”

What do you think is the most important thing for high school students to learn about science?

This question can help interviewers understand your philosophy about teaching science. High school students are often at a point in their lives where they’re beginning to make decisions about what career paths they want to pursue, so it’s important for them to learn the basics of scientific concepts and how they apply to everyday life.

Example: “I think that high school students should be learning about basic scientific principles like gravity, electricity and magnetism because these things are essential to understanding more complex ideas later on. I also think it’s important for students to learn about the history of science and how we’ve come to know what we do today.”

How often do you update your teaching materials?

High school science teachers must keep up with the latest developments in their field. This question helps interviewers assess your commitment to professional development and how you plan to use new teaching methods or resources in your classroom. In your answer, explain what steps you take to stay informed about current research and technology.

Example: “I subscribe to several science journals and attend conferences where I can learn more about my subject matter. I also have a few colleagues who are experts in different areas of science, so we often collaborate on projects and share our findings. As a result, I’ve been able to implement some of their ideas into my lessons, which has helped students understand complex concepts.”

There is a new trend among students to not pay attention in class. What would you do to prevent this from happening in your class?

Students are often distracted by their phones, social media and other activities during class. Employers want to know that you have a plan in place to keep students focused on the lesson at hand. In your answer, explain how you would use different methods of teaching to ensure students stay engaged with the material.

Example: “I believe it’s important for students to be actively involved in class. I always try to make sure my lessons are engaging and fun. For example, I once had a student who was constantly looking at his phone during class. I asked him if he could please put away his phone so we could continue our discussion about photosynthesis. He agreed, but then I told him that if he wanted to take more pictures of plants, he should look up photosynthesis online after class. This got him excited about learning again and he started paying attention.”