<p>Interesting article. Years ago I shared a house with a USGS geologist (a volcano expert). He was an unusual character! I still remember his story about a visiting scientist who was jumping around in pain while walking accross a field of hot rock. Everyone else was ok in their work boots, but this guy in his heavy duty work boots was getting his feet roasted. Turned out he had steel plates in his boots that conducted the heat right to his feet!</p>
<p>Kids in our district have to take some sort of earth/physical science in 9th grade. The problem with this is that in order to get the chance to take Bio, Chem and Physics, followed by an AP science in 12th grade, they have to double up on science in 9th grade. It makes for a tough schedule.</p>
<p>It's interesting how different the school science programs are!
At our hs the kids take Earth Science in 9th grade and use a junior college level text book. It's a very very challenging course. After that there is bio, chem and physic with options for the AP in each one and physics having two different AP levels. The more difficult physics class is analytical physics--I've heard this class referred to as "anal" physics so often that I forget and call it that myself.</p>
<p>This really demonstrates why kids enter college with such a WIDE variety of backgrounds!</p>
<p>Nope. I think basic science literacy requires an introduction to biology, chemistry and physics. If you aren't going to study science in college then fine, but we shouldn't let kids skip it in high school because they don't think they will be interested later. You'd be surprised what kinds of doors are closed to you later on if you totally avoid science. When reading our state's elementary ed requirements, I found it is necessary to have a lab science in college in order to qualify. Who would have thought?</p>
<p>my daughters elementary school had micropipettors ;)
If someone is planning on teaching elementary school don't they need a background in all the subjects?</p>
<p>You'd think...but elementary school science is more about the scientific method and all that. Elementary Ed requirements are weird though.</p>
<p>here you are certified for K-8 I think- or else you can teach K-12
certainly K-12 would give you more options in hiring.But if you are going to teach kids- why wouldn't you want at least one lab class in college? Its bad enough we have teachers who aren't comfortable with math, but lab classes are fun!</p>
<p>a very fuzzy fossil record</p>