"I wanted to have the most impact possible," says Sampson, reflecting on his journey from high school science teacher to nationally recognized educator. He believes all students, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, deserve meaningful access to science learning. "I strive to create student-centered, equity-driven spaces," Sampson explains, "where learners can engage in collaborative meaning-making around issues that matter to them." Helping educators create their own spaces where their students engage in dialogue and exploration is just another step towards that goal.

Longhorns in Residence, launched in June 2025, is UT Austin’s first teacher residency program. It provides aspiring teachers with a full year of paid training in local elementary schools. Each resident is teamed with a mentor teacher and spends four days a week in the classroom while completing certification coursework through UT one day a week.

Sampson helped develop the program’s STEM curriculum. He teaches a new methods course focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math, guiding residents as they implement research-based strategies in real classrooms. The program is one of the first in Texas to feature argument-driven, equity-focused instruction in teacher preparation.

Sampson is widely known for developing Argument-Driven Inquiry (ADI), an instructional model that helps students build scientific understanding through evidence, reflection and peer collaboration. Rather than follow scripted labs, students in ADI classrooms design investigations, support claims, offer feedback and revise their thinking—mirroring how science is practiced in the real world.

This approach underpins Sampson’s teaching and guides his work with the ADI Learning Hub, a digital platform that supports teachers using ADI across different subjects and grade levels.

Students have described his classes as clear, practical and empowering. One noted, "This course, specifically the instructor, took very complicated subject matter and broke it down into consumable and more importantly, rememberable pieces." Another shared, "Dr. Sampson was one of the most genuine and caring professors I’ve ever had."

Sampson’s contributions to science education go beyond the university. He has written over 120 peer-reviewed publications, including 38 books, and his work has been cited more than 8,500 times.

In 2024, a curriculum he co-designed was designated High-Quality Instructional Material by the Texas State Board of Education and adopted statewide. He has delivered more than 180 invited talks and led over 75 professional development workshops for in-service teachers across the country.

His accolades include the NARST Outstanding Dissertation Award, the Early Career Research Award, and a National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Fellowship recognizing leadership in science teacher education.

While Sampson’s work is nationally recognized, it’s his classroom presence that truly resonates with students. Whether preparing future elementary teachers or mentoring graduate students, he fosters supportive, impactful learning environments. 

"Class discussion was very effective," wrote a past student. "Being able to hear different ideas on the same text helped me better understand the topic." Another remarked, "Dr. Sampson created a supportive learning environment where I never felt pressured to perform for a grade… I felt encouraged to actually engage with the material."

Many of his students note how prepared they feel to teach. One shared, "I truly feel more confident teaching science because of this class."

For Sampson, joining UT Austin was about people and possibility. "[There is an] amazing faculty in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the STEM Education program," he says, praising the collaborative atmosphere that supports innovative teaching and research.

Looking ahead, he sees a bright, transformative future: "Longhorns in Residence has the potential to be a model for teacher training programs across Texas and even nationally," he says. As the program expands, Sampson stays committed to improving the curriculum, mentoring residents and closing the gap between educational research and everyday classroom practice.