Never put Science Teachers in a Room Together

I watched Al Gore: New thinking on the climate crisis from TED the other day. So I sent it to some of my science colleagues and they loved it as well. After a PD today one of the teachers I sent it to told a teacher from another school he would show it in his room after our session. So he, I and three other science teachers watch the video. Do not get science teachers fired up about the climate crisis. Well in actuality we should all be fired up about it. After watching the video and getting ourselves calmed down and rational again I had a chance to talk with a teacher from the other building and we started discussing how Gore's talked fit in with the new "Flat World" of Friedman. Included in that the facilitator at our PD mentioned Pink and Right brain thinking. So now here are a couple of science teachers standing in the hallway linking Gore, Friedman and Pink and what it means for not only our own children but how we have to teach our students. We brought back one of the strategies from our PD called QAR. We all said that our students have a difficult time with the two in their head types of questions, and that is exactly what Pink says they will need to prosper in the Friedman Flat World. Now Gore puts into place being politically conscience and wow. And what are many teachers doing, getting students ready for mandated tests to show AYP. God (or some higher power) help us. This needs to be a discussion for a late night with group of committed educators who are ready to change the face of education in America. Anyone ready to join me?

The best 18 minutes I have spent in a long time

I watch a TED Talk video and I am ready to get back and teach on Monday. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is. Take the time to watch this one, but put your mind in neutral and hang on for the ride.

Clifford Stoll: 18 minutes with an agile mind

Einstein and the Other Spears

Okay I read this and had to drop everything.

Spears trumps Stephen Hawking. Worse, nearly half of Americans couldn’t name Einstein, Hawking, or any other current scientist as a science role model for today’s youth, according to a new study on “The State of Science in America,” by Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, conducted by Harris Interactive. The survey reveals for the first time what average Americans think about science, science education, and our nation’s leadership in science. Most (70 percent) believe America is not the world leader in science, and only 35 percent think the U.S. will be the world leader in science in the next 20 years. Among those adults pessimistic about America’s prospects in science, 79 percent agree science is not receiving the attention it deserves in our nation’s schools. The survey found strong support for a range of ways to improve science education, including more support for teachers, more time spent learning science, increasing parental involvement and finding more ways to teach kids about science. You can read more about the survey at www.stateofscience.org.

So I went and read the entire survey and here what I think:

1. Scientists are not seen as role models, well I am not use they ever were. When only 4% of adults could name a living scientist why would kids have them as role models.
2. Adults are not impressed with how seriously America is taking science education. Well we are not taking it seriously. Science has been pushed out because it is not tested for AYP, but next year....
3. Adults think science education is falling short and deserves increased funding and attention. Then ask if their taxes should go up to provide this funding and see what the answer is. Do more just don't cost me more. How about this idea, send a little bit of money on early science education and reap the benefits in the years to come.
4. The idea for improving science education contained no earth shattering or revolutionary ideas, just things we know would help.

Bottom line time. A vast majority of people in the survey (87%) feel science is important. 79% thinks science does not receive the attention needed. 87% agree that more funding is needed. Hey this is a mandate from the people. Science needs to be put back in the forefront of education. From the survey 87% say they personally benefit from science everyday (I think it is 100%). It is science that put a man on the moon and launch us into this new age of instant accessibility and global connection. The understanding of science is essential to Pink's New Mind and the ever flattening world we live in.

Speers on Einstein

While looking at my Bloglines RSS feed, I came across the 10 Golden Lessons from Albert Einstein on the del.icio.us education feed (More about Bloglines and del.icio.us in a later post). The opening and the quotes are copied from the post, but the thoughts about each are my own.

Every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving - Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein was an amazing physicist. He figured out so many universal principles and equations that he was way ahead of his fellow scientists at any point of time. But he is also remembered for another thing; a quality which made people call him a genius: his words. Prof. Einstein was a philosopher who clearly understood the laws of success and explained them like the way he did with his equations. Here is a list of 10 things out of the numerously wonderful things he had said; 10 golden lessons that you can put to use in your everyday life.

1. A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.

Boy this is typical of teachers, especially secondary. We always have to be the ones with all the answers and can never “make a mistake”. It is true that more inventions and innovations have comes from failures than ever came from success. Like the song from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang says “from the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success”.

2. Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

No one remembers what homework assignments they did or did not do in high school. What we truly learn is what we remember and put into practice years after we graduate.

3. I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.

Hearing my 6 year old son talk about how something works is amazing; if I only had half the imagination he has I would easily reach my goals.

4. The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources.

We have all seen farther because we stand on the shoulders of giants, but it is our passion and commitment that show in our interpretation of our reality.

5. The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive. Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.

I do not think many teachers got into the profession to receive. We are givers by nature and need to keep that fire alive. It does not take much, every time I see a former student my passion for teaching is reenergized.

6. There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.

The old ½ full ½ empty debate. I do not think that you can always think the same way. Reality is that some days the glass is ½ full and others it is ½ empty. Life is all about balance even the way we live it.

7. When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.

On the days the glass is ½ full, dream of ways to fill it to the rim. Thinking and looking outside the box may you lead you down the path less taken.

8. In order to be an immaculate member of a flock of sheep, one must above all be a sheep oneself.

In order to be an educational leader one can never forget that those you lead are teachers, so you must remain a teacher. Walk in their shoes, at least once in a while, it does wonders for your credibility, and focuses your own reality.

9. You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.

The rule in education are changing, and I am not sure they are done changing yet. We all have to work on and help each other in learning the rules. Stop talking about how the game use to be played and play new game to the best of our abilities.

10. The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.

Intelligent people ask. Keep questioning yourself and others to find solutions. This will help you gain knowledge and analyze your growth. Teaching needs to be a reflective practice and one of the best questions to ask is how could it have been better.