Recently, I ran across an editorial in the Denver Post that was written by a former English teacher. I am also a former high school English teacher, so I was intrigued when I saw the title of the article – “O CSAP! MY CSAP!” The article discussed one of my favorite films, “Dead Poets Society,” and used the contrasting teaching styles of Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) and Mr. McAllister (the old Latin professor) to make a point about our education system and one of its unintended effects on our students.
In the film, Mr. Keating is a teacher who inspires his students and helps them develop a love of learning. He creates lessons that are relevant to his students, teaches them to make the most of what they’ve been given, and encourages them to “Seize the Day!” Mr. McAllister teaches his students to memorize Latin verbs and vocabulary and drills his students repeatedly. He believes students succeed if they can recite back what they have been taught.
The editorial’s author made the point that our current educational system is working
President Barack Obama held a town hall meeting at Facebook headquarters on Wednesday… and his comment about making science cool caught my attention.
“I’m frustrated by stories about how we can’t find enough engineers and computer programmers. That means our education system is not working. That’s why we are emphasizing math and science,” Obama said, noting efforts to “make science cool” for minorities and women. [Source: Wired.com]
Here’s my open letter to President Obama…
Mr. President, the comment you made at yesterday’s town hall meeting about “making science cool” kept me awake last night because I realized that I actually have something to offer you in the way of a solution to achieve your goal. I was reminded of Don Herbert (the original Mr. Wizard) who made science come alive for millions of kids during the 1950s and 60s. That was exactly what our country needed during the time that followed Sputnik – inspirational people like Don Herbert who made science fun for kids.
Today, we’re faced with a different set of problems that require creative solutions targeted not at the
I’m tired. I have two sons (ages 13 and 10), I work part-time, I volunteer at both the elementary and the middle school, and I sit on a non-profit Board. I drive the Mom taxi every afternoon back and forth between every sports practice known to man, piano and band practice, school ceremonies, volunteer opportunities, and a few play dates (when we have time to play). I try to help with homework, manage a household, and get dinner on the table (when we aren’t stopping at Subway or some other drive-thru), and I try to have time to be a good Mom, wife, and friend. Time for me is always on the bottom of the list.
I think many of us would agree that life seems crazy. We are always in a hurry, always trying to get from one activity to the next, and always trying to do the right thing to help our children become the best students, athletes, musicians, leaders, and citizens. I mean well, as I know you do, but lately I’ve started to question this roller coaster,
The magnetic spheres might be tiny, but they’re super strong. These tiny rare earth magnets are so strong that their attractive forces work through flesh (your tongue to be specific). Unfortunately, a 13 year old girl nearly died after accidentally swallowing magnetic ball bearings she used as a fake tongue piercing. This most recent accident prompted our product team to remove the popular science toy from our print and online catalog.
According to news reports from KVDR Fox31 News, the girl is recovering after swallowing fake tongue rings, which are really small magnetized ball bearings. The tiny magnets could have burned a hole through her intestines.
“Of course I got upset and I had asked her what is in your mouth, then she said, “They come out mommy, look,” and she showed me. I told her “you need to throw those away,”" says Lauren’s mother, Andrea Ulibarri.
The pain got so intense on Tuesday that Lauren called her mother at work.
We are honored to be mentioned in an online Inc. Magazine poll of “20 Awesome Facebook Fan Pages” this week. The company Facebook pages were selected from nominations by entrepreneurs, social media experts, and Inc. editors.
Our Facebook Fan Page is a great place to interact with other science enthusiasts (teachers and parents), get special product announcements, participate in giveaways only available to Facebook Fans and more. If you don’t already Like us on Facebook, head on over to our page and join the conversation about how to make science fun.
If you “like” our Facebook page please click over to Inc. and “Like” us there so we can show the other 19 pages the importance of hands-on science.
By Guest Blogger Debbie Leibold
