Science and I did not start off so great. I went to an elementary school that decided putting social studies and language arts in one group and science and math into another group was a good idea. So when third grade came around and it was time to learn those infamous multiplication tables. My teacher told me I would have to memorize them or I would never excel in science. I am sure most people participated in the "get all these right within a certain time limit and win your next sundae topping." I was that kid with just a bowl and a scoop of ice cream, thank God they gave you the spoon. It wasn't until fifth grade that I realized how much of an idiot my third grade teacher was. (she was also very mean) Fifth grade was a year filled with learning about cloud formation, weather, plants. the water cycle, the effects the BP oil spill had on the environment, and so much more. My point is I did not need to spit out what seven times six was to my teacher. As time progressed and I went on to middle school science became way more interesting to me, topics were very broad and watered down but I was fascinated with all of it. At a very young age I would tell everyone I wanted to be vet and as I got older science class enforced that passion even more. In high school there were so many different science classes and I basically tried to take them all. I became very interested in human anatomy and health science and it was around freshmen year that I decided I would sell my soul and try go to medical school. Shoot for the moon am I right? And don't get me wrong I have to use math in science but I have a calculator or my fingers. Science and I manage to get along now and I am usually excited to go to class and continue learning.
Source: picture was taken after the interview with my phone William Armstrong is an Earth Scientist who studies glaciology and is a new member to the App State team when he joined back in the fall of 2017. He received his PhD in Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado at Boulder and BS of environmental Geoscience at the Boston College. So before going into this interview we first read one of Dr. Armstrong’s publications, “Spatial Patterns of Summer Speedup on South Central Alaska Glaciers,” and we went in with general questions on the article and on himself. We first asked how he would describe his own article to someone without a science background. His answer was very interesting, instead of spitting out more confusion, he really reached to explain it to us as a true educator. He began by explaining that glaciers move in two different ways, the first is by flowing wi...
I think that it is really cool that as you got older that science became more interesting to you. When someone experiences a negative experience at a young age it tends to stay that way through out thier life. I liked how you made your post more like a story than just information. I really liked how the post was really informal and it just seemed like you talking to a friend. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThis definitely sheds light on the major flaw the stem fields have in primary schools. The school systems lack a system that stimulates the learner to create natural curiosity. Without this, it's just another task we have to do that we don't want to.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. It's so sad how many kids love science (and math) early on and it's basically beat out of them by teachers who lack an understanding deep enough in the topic to make it interesting and teach outside the box, states with very stringent standards, and systems that value test scores more than inquiry and creativity.
DeleteLooking great so far Madilyn, a thoughtful first post. I'm so glad you had a great teacher in 5th Grade who helped you recover your passion for science. Taking as many different science classes as possible in high school was a good idea to keep your options open. There are some math classes in college that are going to be extremely difficult, but you'll figure out a way! Use all the support available to you (peer study, tutoring, office hours, etc). It's going to be so worth it in the end when you are able to wake up every morning excited to go to work and do something you love.
ReplyDeleteIf I'm being honest, I'm still not sure I've memorized all of my multiplication tables. It was the same in my school, but with candy. I've never been good with time constraints, so as everyone of my peers passed, I was still stuck on my threes. I feel as if I only got to my fours by the time we ended multiplication, because I just got so nervous during timed tests. Reading everyone's comments and your post, I was shocked to see that this was common in other schools: I thought it was kind of cruel.
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