Science Fairs: Thinking Inside The Box
Our elementary schools waste huge amounts of time on lots of touchy-feely narishkeit but one of the biggest annual wastes of time is the science fair. It isn't science and it isn't fair.
It is presented to parents as an important inter-disciplinary project that combines research, writing and creativity. We all know that it is nothing of the sort.
The so-called science is a joke. Most kids do the same tired "experiments" that have been done for decades. Typical topics: What absorbs more water, corn starch or diaper crystals; or, how seedlings react to various levels of light or heat.
The "reasearch" consists of spending an hour on the computer finding some gobbledygook remotely related to the topic.
The creativity depends on (a) how much work a kid's parents are willing to do, (b) how good his or her computer skills are, and/or (c) how sophisticated his or her computer graphics system is.
Despite the ridiculously low level of work, grades of 95 are routine. So kids think that they've learned something when, in fact, they've learned nothing.
The time and effort invested in science fairs could be put to use much more beneficially. A real interdisciplinary report ought to be mandated on a topic that is actually useful. Let's say, for arguments sake, The History of the State of Israel. Pick a key characher or event and write a real report, with real research and real writing. Or, if you prefer, Tefilah. How about picking one tefilah, translating it, looking into it's background and history, etc. These are just two ideas that might result in some actual useful information being passed on and some real skills being learned. I'm open to suggestions. (And, for the small handful of science geeks in each class, have a voluntary science fair for extra credit. That way, those who are interested will participate and the projects won't be embarrassing.)
Everyone knows that the science fair is a big, tired joke. The parents know it and the kids know it. The schools should know it. It's time to start thinking outside the box.
Our elementary schools waste huge amounts of time on lots of touchy-feely narishkeit but one of the biggest annual wastes of time is the science fair. It isn't science and it isn't fair.
It is presented to parents as an important inter-disciplinary project that combines research, writing and creativity. We all know that it is nothing of the sort.
The so-called science is a joke. Most kids do the same tired "experiments" that have been done for decades. Typical topics: What absorbs more water, corn starch or diaper crystals; or, how seedlings react to various levels of light or heat.
The "reasearch" consists of spending an hour on the computer finding some gobbledygook remotely related to the topic.
The creativity depends on (a) how much work a kid's parents are willing to do, (b) how good his or her computer skills are, and/or (c) how sophisticated his or her computer graphics system is.
Despite the ridiculously low level of work, grades of 95 are routine. So kids think that they've learned something when, in fact, they've learned nothing.
The time and effort invested in science fairs could be put to use much more beneficially. A real interdisciplinary report ought to be mandated on a topic that is actually useful. Let's say, for arguments sake, The History of the State of Israel. Pick a key characher or event and write a real report, with real research and real writing. Or, if you prefer, Tefilah. How about picking one tefilah, translating it, looking into it's background and history, etc. These are just two ideas that might result in some actual useful information being passed on and some real skills being learned. I'm open to suggestions. (And, for the small handful of science geeks in each class, have a voluntary science fair for extra credit. That way, those who are interested will participate and the projects won't be embarrassing.)
Everyone knows that the science fair is a big, tired joke. The parents know it and the kids know it. The schools should know it. It's time to start thinking outside the box.
posted by MoChassid @ 9:56 AM
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