Dr. Kiki’s Science Hour – Making Science Matter
If you have ever thought critically about the American educational system, and come away with the impression (as I have) that the future of our nation is doomed, you might find this episode uplifting.
No matter what you have heard, there are teachers who care. There are teachers who try new and different approaches to teaching. There are places in the United States where children are actually learning science.
Zach Ronneberg is a science teacher at Da Vinci High School in Davis, CA. He has been recognized as among the best science teachers in the US. I got to talk with him about the ways he employs hands-on learning in the classroom, and about the KSTF Teaching Fellowship he was awarded.
You can listen to our conversation here.
Or, you can watch the video at ODTV – On-Demand TWIT Network.
Filed under DKSH | Comments (2)2 Responses to “Dr. Kiki’s Science Hour – Making Science Matter”
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Kiki, I don’t think the problem is with the teachers nearly as much as it is with the students and their parents. Above all, parents need to instill the importance of a good education into their children. Next, the students have to be self-motivated enough to put the effort in to learn. With all of the sci-fi movies and books out there and all of the advances and technology that is in their faces, you would think that today’s kids would be excited about learning science. Science isn’t a goal in itself; it represents a better understanding about how our universe works. That understanding is power (metaphorically). If students won’t study and don’t see the relevance of science and technology to their lives, then they are doomed to “flip burgers” and countries with populations of 1+ billion are going to take over the lead from the U.S.
I kind of agree with Jon, but not completely. I think we all have an obligation to explain how science is relevant and not just write off people who can’t simply see that. Podcasts like this help, but who’s listening? mostly people who are already scientists or science enthusiasts. If you really want people to learn something you have to go to them, not sit back and expect them to come to you.
I’m in the lobbying and PR business, but I didn’t get excited about that because I saw “Thank You For Smoking.” I got into it because someone explained to me how working in government and public affairs could have an impact on people’s lives.