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Friday, February 8, 2008
Hands-on science
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Cobb schools reporter Diane Stepp wrote about a plan to open a charter school emphasizing a hands-on approach to science. Research shows students perform better in science when there are more hands-on activities.
Georgia kids could use help with science. Just look at how students did on the End of Course Tests last year — 43 percent failed biology and 38 percent failed physical science.
More schools have started classes where students don’t just read about science, they touch and feel it. Grayson High in Gwinnett offers a biotechnology program where students have cloned a rose bush. Students use industrial grade equipment and complete experiments most kids don’t get until junior year of college. Students say the class is harder than Advanced Placement biology.
But here’s the catch: most students don’t sign up for biotechnology. Teachers in other districts and programs have the same problem. They say kids don’t take these hands-on science classes because they’re too hard. Parents are afraid a low mark might cost their children the HOPE scholarship. Teachers say parents push their kids into Advanced Placement classes instead because it might look better on transcripts.
If these hands-on classes are a way to boost science scores, how do teachers get more kids to sign up? Are there better ways to get kids interested in science?
