Teaching Science? Where does your school stand?

Here's a video done by children for adults:

So, what can you do about it?
Teachers, please note, you can teach science and math at the same time, or, science and literature at the same time., or, science and history at the same time. You can teach science on the playground or when you go for a walk.

There are grants you can get to get equipment for your school.

Parents, please note, you can have an after school homework club where a group of kids are supervised by one or two different parents every day. You can check your child's homework. You can volunteer at school. You can take your children to museums, botanic gardens, zoological gardens and observatories. You can go for a walk at a national park. You can volunteer at school. You can talk with your chil and his or her teacher(s).

Youth, you can study. You can find something you are interested in and study science standards through that subject area.

You can all write to your polititions.

You can use resources in the left hand column of this blog.

Science Standards

Each state has science standards to which students and parents, among others, can link. The standards can provide a guided study tool to the student interested in self-learning or in "passing state exams."

Let's look at some. (Post under development)

Science standards by state: http://www.geosociety.org/educate/standards.htm

http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/

http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/overview.html#content

How does your state measure up to the national standards?

http://www.edexcellence.net/foundation/publication/publication.cfm?id=352

http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=72494

Other countries may have similar sets of standards. Feel free to post links in the comments (by clicking under "comments" below.

(c)1996-2008 J. S. Shipman

Physics Fun!

Play with these balls... What are they? Particles. See upcoming film on the Hutchison Effect

Advanced reading:

Measurement of density, sound velocity, surface tension, and viscosity of freely suspended supercooled liquids

Journal	International Journal of Thermophysics
Publisher	Springer Netherlands
ISSN	0195-928X (Print) 1572-9567 (Online)
Issue	Volume 16, Number 2 / March, 1995
DOI	10.1007/BF01441920
Pages	545-555
Subject Collection	Physics and Astronomy
SpringerLink Date	Friday, April 22, 2005

Physics using Balloons:
http://www.physicsforums.com/archive/index.php/t-41611.html

Vocabulary Development

Over the summer you can strengthen your vocabulary. When students swear, I suggest to them it is because their vocabulary isn't developed sufficiently to have word to express accurately how they feel. This idea of words being able to express thoughts and sentiments is an important concept to convey in a population where most students are continually exposed to swearing in their lives outside of school.

I believe that if you have a well-developed vocabulary, you are more able to express what you want to say. Some students understood that. They began studying vocabulary.

But, the point is, to truly integrate that vocabulary into their brains, they need to use it. Summer is a perfect time to put that use to work. Practicing new words can be fun. A big vocabulary helps you understand more in life. What new word did you learn today?

(c)2007 J. S. Shipman

MCAS as an Opportunity

I want to thank and encourage all my students taking the MCAS. I know they can and they will do well. Congratulations. You know, just taking a test is an accomplishment. It is not a be all and an end all. Sometimes, you might have to re-take a test (even several times...I know someone who took a test 17 times to get licensed and now makes 500000/year with that license). Never let a "set-back" keep you down. Always keep your eye on the vision and goals that you have. You can and you will do well. Dr. J

(c) 2007 J. S. Shipman

Scientific Literacy

Scientific literacy is knowing enough science to make informed choices that affect all our lives, the lives of all of us in the global community.

To be scientifically literate means to have an understanding that more organisms than people exist on Earth, that math and language and history are integrated with science, that art and other humanities are ways of conveying scientific information, and, it means to know facts and be able to utilize them to make choices.

Art, for example, conveys ideas on science. Notice the health or disease of trees in paintings, for example. The artist's observation skills are part of scientific literacy.

How can you be more, "scientifically literate?"


(c)2007 J. S. Shipman

Ready for your standardized tests?

Think of these tests like a new video game. Look for the challenges. What do you remember from other games? Do you remember what others have said about your previous game levels? Each test is a new "game level," Think of these tests as fun and you won't be nervous, or at least, not as nervous as you could be. And remember...practice improves your, "game." You can do well...and you will do well. I am confident of that.

Want more practice? Try highschoolace.com again....20 minutes a day!!!

(c)2007 J. S, Shipman