This introduction to the book presents the story of learning how to use a Van de Graaff generator (a.k.a. that aluminum dome in phsyics class that gives off jolts of electricity and makes hair stand up). Three stories involving this machine track three of the main concerns of science teachers: learning science, learning to be a teacher, then learning to teach science for equity and understanding. I had hoped to keep the unpleasant shocks to a minimum. That was overly optimistic.