Science Academy

This week, the science department of the high school at which I teach science is going through the annual process of science academy. For those that are unfamiliar with this, it's not a hoity-toity private school, but a necessary result of standardized testing - students in the testing range (sophomores and juniors) are subjected to a day and a half of intensive "cramming" for the test. Science teachers are subjected to four days (two for juniors, two for sophomores) of teaching the same whirlwind review lesson 22 times - seven times then four times for the juniors, seven times then four times for the sophomores.

The reason this process is necessary is that it is apparently impossible to convince the majority of students at this age that standardized testing is a) a reality or b) will affect their future. Or c), if they believe in the TAKS, they just don't care.

So the question is, how can a teacher or a school get students to understand and internalize the fact that science is important? Indeed, IS science important to most of the students at this school?

I've got an idea that I'm going to try for next school year, and that's to get people from the community to come into the school and give a brief chat about how their profession needs at least a basic understanding of science. Of course, doctors, nurses, and actual scientists will be easy, but some students may not expect? Firemen, lawyers, city personnel, store managers, etc. will be on the list. How difficult will it be for us to find a "science connection" for these personnel? I don't think it will be too hard. For example, in IPC we learn about how power is related to energy and time. So a store manager might talk about using this knowledge to manage a store's electric bill by choosing settings for the air conditioner, lights, etc. Lawyers need to be able to understand at least a basic level of whatever scientific evidence they may use in court. etc. etc.