Excellence in science has always been a hallmark of the United
States, resulting in inventions from the cotton gin to GPS
technology. But with the rest of the world working hard to overtake us,
the need for science education has never been more urgent. President
Obama highlighted this sentiment during a radio address: “Today, more
than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and
our security and prosperity as a nation.”
So how can your student
do his best in science? Maria Caryotakis has taught high school science
for twenty years, from introductory courses to Honors Chemistry and
Physics. The following is a list of strategies that she recommends for
students who want to do well in her class:
Participate 100% in Class
Students
think they can save time by using one class’s lecture time to prepare
for a different class. For example, many students tune out during a
science lesson so they can study the vocabulary for next period’s
English quiz. But there’s never a better time to learn something than
when a teacher is presents it; it takes twice as long to learn it at
home on your own. When you’re following a lecture, it’s easy to stop and
ask a question before you get lost. Plus, you’ll make a better
impression on the teacher if she calls on you.
Accept That There Isn’t Always a Right Answer
Schools
today teach that there’s always a right answer, one correct bubble to
fill in on the scantron sheet. But in science, we don’t yet have all the
answers. Sometimes the best we can do is to develop theories, so it’s
important to be comfortable with complicated answers. During a lab,
don’t be overly focused on getting the “expected” results; in science,
any experiment that yields data is a viable experiment. In fact, some of
the greatest discoveries of our time were born from “mistakes.”
Speak Up in Your Group
Much
of science is done in the company of others, from lab work to group
projects. It’s important to be heard within the group. If there’s a
problem, staying quiet is the worst thing you can do. Make sure you
understand what others are saying by rephrasing what you’ve heard. Don’t
ignore problems with group dynamics: the group works too quickly,
someone takes over as the de-facto leader, or a member doesn’t help at
all. Try working it out, but if it doesn’t help, go to the teacher to
voice your concerns. A good teacher will intervene in the group to
improve the dynamics, or if that can’t work, should move you to a more
compatible group.
Take Good Notes
Science books cover
vast amounts of information, and it can be hard to know where to
focus. But each teacher has a specific subset of information that he
feels is most important. The notes you take in class indicate what the
teacher wants to emphasize, and what you should expect to see covered on
tests and quizzes
Investigate Multiple Sources
After
a lecture that’s interesting (or confusing), it’s enlightening to seek
out further information at home. The Internet is an incredible source of
cutting-edge information and images. You can easily supplement your
understanding with a couple of Yahoo searches.
Collect Visual Aids
A
lot of science involves memorization, and it’s helpful to see visual
prompts at home. From shower curtains with the periodic table of the
elements to placemats that show the solar system, placing study aids
around the house can be a huge help. You can also customize your
studying by making a poster that highlights the facts you’ll need for
your next test.
Figure Out “Why”
The human brain can only
memorize so much. To facilitate understanding, it’s important to see how
things fit together and to think of concrete examples. For instance,
picturing the firing of a cannon can help us remember Newton’s Third Law
(Whenever one object exerts a force on a second object, the second
object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first.) A cannon is
bigger than a cannonball, so the firing pushes the ball far away. But
the ball exerts its own force on the cannon, making the cannon recoil a
few inches.
Hone Your Math Skills
Science class depends on
a solid understanding of how to do word problems: when to add or
subtract, multiply or divide. Most students are able to collect numbers
from their experiments, but have a harder time knowing what to do with
those numbers. You should never try to waive the prerequisite math class
for any given science course. Specifically, advanced science classes
rely heavily on a solid understanding of algebra.
Be Familiar with the Metric System
Science
uses metric measurements, which can be confusing for American
students. Families can help by talking about metric units together. When
you’re driving, convert from miles per hour to kilometers per hour
(it’s in the dashboard.) Talk about centimeters and millimeters in
addition to inches, and how much you’d all weigh in kilograms instead of
pounds. When you go to the market, compare the size of liter bottles
with gallons.
Have the Right Tools
Science relies on
having good equipment. Buy whatever supplies the teacher requires. If
there’s no list, a basic science supply list should include: colored
pencils, a non-programmable calculator, metric ruler, and a small pair
of scissors.
Understanding science is critical in our
technology-driven world. By following these tips, your student can
maximize his chances of not only getting a good grade, but of
understanding the concepts that will give him a better understanding of
the natural world.
