EducationISCO 2330
Science teacher secondary school
A secondary school science teacher is a person who teaches a science subject such as physics, chemistry or biology to pupils, mostly teenagers, in secondary education.
Check yourself in a minute: science teacher secondary school
Rate 5 of the 24 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
prepare lesson content
monitor developments in field of expertise
liaise with educational support staff
manage student relationships
adapt teaching to student's capabilities
About science teacher secondary school
The teacher is a subject specialist, trained in their own field of science. They prepare lesson plans and materials, run the lessons, and assess pupils' knowledge and performance in that subject through assignments, tests and examinations. Progress is monitored, and where a pupil has fallen behind, individual help follows.
The teacher adapts teaching methods to what a pupil is capable of, recognises learning difficulties including those unrelated to the subject, and supports pupils in their learning, choosing the teaching strategy to suit a pupil who struggles.
Science teacher responsibilities include running the class: managing student relationships and maintaining discipline in lessons, practicals and group work. The teacher keeps up with developments in the field of specialisation and brings them into lesson plans and materials. Science teacher requirements — subject qualifications and pedagogical training — are set by the education law of each country.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a science teacher secondary school.
1
Lesson Planning and Course Development
- Prepare comprehensive lesson plans aligned with curriculum objectives and educational standards
- Compile course materials including textbooks, worksheets, and supplementary resources
- Monitor developments in the field of scientific expertise to keep content current
- Incorporate various instructional strategies to support diverse learning styles
- Design practical experiments and demonstrations to illustrate scientific principles
2
Classroom Teaching and Instruction
- Deliver engaging lectures and presentations on physics, chemistry, biology, and astronomy
- Demonstrate complex concepts and conduct hands-on experiments during lessons
- Adapt teaching methods to accommodate students' different capabilities and learning difficulties
- Apply evidence-based teaching strategies to maximize student engagement and comprehension
- Use multimedia resources and technology to enhance learning experiences
3
Student Assessment and Feedback
- Develop and administer tests and examinations to assess student knowledge and understanding
- Evaluate student assignments and practical work according to learning objectives
- Provide constructive feedback that helps students understand their strengths and areas for improvement
- Monitor individual student progress and identify those requiring additional support
- Maintain detailed records of student performance and attendance
4
Classroom Management and Student Support
- Maintain student discipline and create a safe, respectful learning environment
- Manage student relationships and address behavioral issues constructively
- Assist students individually when they struggle with difficult concepts or learning difficulties
- Liaise with educational support staff and specialists to provide holistic student support
- Perform classroom management tasks including organizing materials, equipment, and resources
5
Professional Collaboration and Development
- Collaborate with other science teachers to ensure consistency across curriculum
- Participate in secondary school procedures and follow institutional policies
- Engage in professional development and training to stay current with pedagogical best practices
- Participate in school activities, events, and extracurricular programs
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (24)
physicsphysicsThe natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.learning difficultieslearning difficultiesThe learning disorders some students face in an academic context, especially Specific Learning Difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and concentration deficit disorders.instructional strategiesinstructional strategiesThe techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.biologybiologyTissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.secondary school proceduressecondary school proceduresThe inner workings of a secondary school, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.astronomyastronomyThe field of science that studies the physics, chemistry, and evolution of celestial objects such as stars, comets, and moons. It also examines phenomena that happen outside Earth's atmosphere such as...prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.monitor developments in field of expertisemonitor developments in field of expertiseKeep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.liaise with educational support staffliaise with educational support staffCommunicate with education management, such as the school principal and board members, and with the education support team such as the teaching assistant, school counsellor or academic advisor on issu...manage student relationshipsmanage student relationshipsManage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...maintain students' disciplinemaintain students' disciplineMake sure students follow the rules and code of behaviour established in the school and take the appropriate measures in case of violation or misbehaviour.assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.apply intercultural teaching strategiesapply intercultural teaching strategiesEnsure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural ...liaise with educational staffliaise with educational staffCommunicate with the school staff such as teachers, teaching assistants, academic advisors, and the principal on issues relating to students' well-being. In the context of a university, liaise with th...develop course outlinedevelop course outlineResearch and establish an outline of the course to be taught and calculate a time frame for the instructional plan in accordance with school regulations and curriculum objectives.compile course materialcompile course materialWrite, select or recommend a syllabus of learning material for the students enrolled in the course.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.chemistrychemistryThe composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk fa...
Optional (25) — show
mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...adolescent socialisation behaviouradolescent socialisation behaviourThe social dynamics through which young adults live amongst each other, expressing their likes and dislikes and the rules of communication between generations.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...laboratory-based scienceslaboratory-based sciencesLaboratory based sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, integrated science or advanced laboratory science.assist in the organisation of school eventsassist in the organisation of school eventsProvide assistance in the planning and organisation of school events, such as the school's open house day, a sports game or a talent show.identify learning disordersidentify learning disordersObserve and detect symptoms of Specific Learning Difficulties such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyscalculia, and dysgraphia in children or adult learners. Refer the student to t...consult student's support systemconsult student's support systemCommunicate with multiple parties, including teachers and the family of the student, to discuss the student's behaviour or academic performance.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.teach chemistryteach chemistryInstruct students in the theory and practice of chemistry, more specifically in biochemistry, chemical laws, analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, and theore...recognise indicators of gifted studentrecognise indicators of gifted studentObserve students during instruction and identify signs of exceptionally high intelligence in a student, such as showing remarkable intellectual curiosity or showing restlessness due to boredom and or ...teach physicsteach physicsInstruct students in the theory and practice of physics, and more specifically in topics such as the characteristics of matter, creating energy, and aerodynamics.escort students on a field tripescort students on a field tripAccompany students on an educational trip outside the school environment and ensure their safety and cooperation.teach biologyteach biologyInstruct students in the theory and practice of biology, more specifically in biochemistry, molecular biology, cellular biology, genetics, developmental biology, haematology, nanobiology, and zoology.arrange parent teacher meetingarrange parent teacher meetingSet up joined and individual meetings with students' parents to discuss their child's academic progress and general well-being.monitor educational developmentsmonitor educational developmentsMonitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.prepare youths for adulthoodprepare youths for adulthoodWork with children and young people to identify the skills and abilities they will need for their transition to become independent and self-sufficient adults.assist students with equipmentassist students with equipmentProvide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.perform playground surveillanceperform playground surveillanceObserve students' recreational activities to ensure student safety and well-being and intervene when necessary.identify cross-curricular links with other subject areasidentify cross-curricular links with other subject areasRecognise correlations and overlaps between your subject of expertise and other subjects. Decide on a levelled approach to the material with the teacher of the associated subject and adjust lesson pla...teach astronomyteach astronomyInstruct students in the theory and practice of astronomy, and more specifically in topics such as celestial bodies, gravity, and solar storms.provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.oversee extra-curricular activitiesoversee extra-curricular activitiesSupervise and potentially organise educational or recreational activities for the students outside of mandatory classes.biological chemistrybiological chemistryBiological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.keep records of attendancekeep records of attendanceKeep track of the pupils who are absent by recording their names on a list of absentees.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
biology teacher secondary school21 shared essential skillschemistry teacher secondary school21 shared essential skillsbusiness studies and economics teacher secondary school20 shared essential skillsclassical languages teacher secondary school20 shared essential skillshistory teacher secondary school20 shared essential skillsICT teacher secondary school20 shared essential skillsliterature teacher at secondary school20 shared essential skillsmathematics teacher at secondary school20 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a science teacher secondary school do?
Science teachers at secondary schools provide education to students, commonly children and young adults, in a secondary school setting. They are usually subject teachers, specialised and instructing in their own field of study, science. They prepare lesson plans and materials, monitor the students' progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate the students' knowledge and performance on the subject of science through assignments, tests and examinations.
What skills does a science teacher secondary school need?
A science teacher secondary school needs 24 essential skills, including physics, learning difficulties, instructional strategies, biology, secondary school procedures.
Will AI replace science teacher secondary school jobs?
The AI disruption score for science teacher secondary school is 54/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep records of attendance, compile course material, monitor developments in field of expertise. Most resilient: human anatomy, escort students on a field trip, prepare youths for adulthood.
AI Replacement Risk
54/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
What are you missing to work as science teacher secondary school?
The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.
Check your gaps