Teaching Science In America

Teaching Science in America
Chris Wood
Mr. Pitts
English III
Due: November 14, 2008


Parents stress how important a good and balanced education is, but students do not always appreciate this opinion. Students find it hard to pay attention and soak in what the teacher is saying, when it is presented in a dull or boring fashion. On the other hand, the bell seems to ring so much quicker in a class where students enjoy trying to understand what is taught.   When teachers make learning interesting, better grades are the result. Seeing how we are so far behind in science education, maybe teaching strategies are the reason. In classes like physical education, they are playing all period, but in classes like science, they are probably doing worksheets. For example: When eight year olds were asked, “How many of you like physical education?” they all responded positively. However, when the same eight year olds were asked “How many of you like science class” only one answered “yes.” When he was asked “What makes you like science,” he replied, “Because we are hatching chicks”.   In a conversation, Mrs. Kokoski, the high school librarian, indicated that an article stated how the Unites States was below the international average in science education. With that being said, the accomplishments of teaching science to today’s   American youth must progress in order to keep up with the rest of the world.
Since high school seniors are performing below the international average in math and science for twenty-one countries, top students and educators agree that there needs to be a sturdy plan to increase in scientific education awareness. (Sullivan par. 2) The final panel of PM’s 2007 Breakthrough Conference, titled “How to Save American Science,” four of the panelists agreed that focusing on diversity of fields ,open-source technology, and community could boost the number of graduates, students attending graduate school, and the appeal of the scientific field of study....