Science Beyond the Classroom

When it comes to external leadership in the area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics I have to admit that I have not taken a lot of initiative to promote or lead. We have a great program in the area that is run be one of the other middle school teachers that incorporates summer school courses for all students interested in science. There are hands-on science activities, outdoor activities and robotics and electronic courses that get the students active and involved doing great labs and learning about the outdoors through camping and enrichment activities.

With those types of opportunities in mind we as a science department we also look for any college campuses or summer school opportunities provided by community members or local businesses that support working with students and providing learning experiences in the businesses such as 3M and the Minneapolis Children’s Science Museum that provide learning experiences and camps for young learners.

Our Sputnik?

Our Sputnik?

With our economy in the state that we find it in today there are several issues that we could take on to put people to work; highway projects, government construction contracts or rebuilding the electronic infrastructure all of which are great goals and would be a benefit but none that will sustain or economy over the long haul.  STEM jobs such as developing an economical way to extract and refine the shale oil reserves of North Dakota and Canada would be an example of how to put our financial reserves to good use.  Getting our students to concentrate of how to improve America instead of how to run in fear from others that can not decide if they would like to enjoy the short time we have here on Earth or hate everyone to the point of being preoccupied with the destruction of others and themselves.

For years I have been discouraged with our obsession with helping those who truly do not want our help.  Those that will, at the drop of hat, turn and kill those who are trying to provide them with a better life. I agree with Thomas Friedman when he said “The war on terrorism need to begin by us challenging the leader over there,” (Friedman, 2010), but if they wish to live in the dark than so be it, let them.  We as a country of progressive people who love and enjoy this wonderful planet that is so diverse, should look for ways to provide the next generation with a planet that they can also love and enjoy.  This is not done by leaving behind areas that are chemically and physically destructed to point of no return.  The world as a whole has made extraordinary advances in the production of energy sources that will leave the world in a better state than we found it. Unlike our dependency on fossil fuels or nuclear power, wind power and hydroelectric power sources are better choices but hard to tap.  We need more options?

Education today should lead students to continue with the environmental consciousness through (STEM) education, that has led us to more cost effective sources of energy that will continue to move us forward and benefit our Earth at the same time.  How can we have all that we have yet not do any more destructive damage to this Earth? Our Sputnik? How about finding new energy that will benefit all mankind not just the greedy, which would deplete the world’s resource just to benefit their pocketbooks.

Reference

Friedman, T. L. (2010, January 17). What’s our Sputnik? [Op-Ed]. The New York Times [Late Edition (East Coast)], p. WK.8.