As students race to put on their goggles and aprons to start their experiments, the lessons on the whiteboard come to life. For Mr. Mark Wilson, the newest addition to Potomac’s science department, experiments are all about learning from analyzing data and observing interactions. Mr. Wilson teaches in both the upper and middle schools.

Mr. Wilson has a bachelor’s degree in cellular and molecular biology from Hampton University and is currently working on his M.Ed. from the University of the District of Columbia. He credits his father for inspiring him to pursue science as a career.
“My father was also a biology major undergraduate as well as my mentor in science. He passed all of the experiences he had learning and growing up with science on to me,” he said.

“I was interested in a community that has a strong science program that would allow me to adapt my teaching style to use nature and phenomena outside of the classroom in order to create a closer connection to the science for my students,” Mr. Wilson explained.

Mr. Wilson hopes to create an environment where all students are unafraid to make mistakes and are able to discover the wonders of science. “I want to instill in my students the methodology of a scientist, which is to be a critical thinker, to use what they do know to seek further knowledge, and to add to the scientific community themselves,” he said.

“I also want students from any background and students with varying interests to feel like they are supported. I want them to feel like they can have a successful year and that they can take control over their learning experience in my classroom,” he continued.

Mr. Wilson comes in to fill the gap left by Ms. Meaghan Caruso who previously served as a ninth-grade honors biology teacher and head varsity volleyball coach. Ms. Caruso was known by her students to have well planned out science lessons, and consistently met with students struggling on tests and quizzes. She also included fun games in volleyball practices, in addition to informative and helpful instruction.