Re: 2 million teachers in 2007!

[Sampere <sampere@SUHEP.PHY.SYR.EDU>]

That's an excellent question Herb.  Most teachers are not exposed to GOOD
science courses.  They are taught science methods, but not science.  All it
takes is one good experience to light a fire under them.  Why do they want to
do continue this?  I can think of many answers.  Perhaps they finally see the
wonder and beauty of science without the pressure to do well on an exam.
Perhaps they want to stand out amongst their peers?  Perhaps they finally see
the value.   remember this stuff is hard work, certainly not easy, asking
someone to critically think and analyze some physical situation.  Perhaps
their confidence and mental capacity is greater now.

Think back to when you were in college.  At the time, do you think all your
peer students thought science was way cool, or did they see the value?  How
many motivating teachers did you have in college?  Remember, they're only
taking one physical science course.  What's the likehood that a worthwhile
experience was provided for them?  Need I say more?

Sam

Herbert H Gottlieb wrote:

> If the elementary school teachers are afraid of science after 12 years
> exposure in
> elementary and high schools and four or more years of college, how many
> years of
> such workshops would be required to get them over this hurdle?
>
> Herb  Gottlieb from New York City
> (Where short workshops work for an even shorter time)
>
> On Thu, 12 Aug 1999 08:50:27 -0400 Lois Breur Krause <krause@CLEMSON.EDU>
> writes:
> > > How does one go about "working with elementary school teachers" who
> > are afraid of science??
> > > Herb Gottlieb from New York City
> > > (Where the shortage of qualified science teachers is increasing at
> > an accelerated exponential rate but should level off by 2007 when there
> > are none left.)
> >
> > talk with the people in your education department, and find out who
> > does student teaching placements.  they would have the school contacts.
>
> > chances are they would be excited, after they got over the initial
> shock, of
> > your offer to do a summer workshop with local elem teachers.  ask them
> to
> > work with you to set it up and find the grant funding if needed.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> >
> > Dr. Lois Breur Krause
> > Department of Geological Sciences
> > 442 Brackett Hall
> > Clemson University
> > Clemson SC  29634
> >
> > teaching chemistry, physics, astronomy and geology to elementary
> > education majors.
> >
> > How We Learn and Why We Don't: Student Survival Guide,
> > available from International Thompson Publishing, ISBN 0324-011970
> >
> > http://home.earthlink.net/~breurkrause
> >
> > krause@clemson.edu

--
Samuel M. Sampere
Laboratory Manager
Syracuse University
Department of Physics
Syracuse, NY 13244
315-443-5999 or 315-443-9705
fax 315-443-9103