KLEIN's
GUIDE TO
SCIENCE EDUCATION
PHOTO CREDIT: Nadene Klein at Tuolumne Meadows Yosemite National Park
Pictured above is one of my favorite science teacher t-shirts; at least it was until last week.
I have students, and sometimes other staff members, come to me asking all kinds of science questions. What is this animal in my yard? What kind of plant is this? What should I do about this pest getting in my house? What should I do about _____ (fill in the blank with any medical condition/injury)? It is assumed that because I am a science teacher I know everything about everything that even remotely has to do with science. That being said, I do know a lot or can problem solve like a scientist. I love helping people. I also am humble enough to admit when I don't know something. So what happened on the last full day of school that makes me question my favorite shirt? A student of mine, let's call them Jo, made a most remarkable statement to me. It began when I made some sort of sarcastic retort to a student who intentionally asked a question to be ridiculous. When Jo blurted out: "What? Really?" Before I could respond, a different student said, "No, she's being sarcastic, duh!" Here's the clincher: Jo responded "Oh good, because Klein, I'd believe anything you say just because YOU said it. I'm not joking, you're like the smartest person I've ever met. You could literally say anything to me and I'd believe it." NO, NO, NO!!!! While this was intended as a most flattering compliment AND demonstrated the highest level of trust that a student can have for a teacher, it is ABSOLUTELY NOT the point of view that I want any of my students to have. Science is about questioning EVERYTHING. I want my students to not believe what they hear from a single source. I want them to question it, verify it, test it, research it with multiple sources, and then KNOW it--not believe it. There's a big difference between knowing and believing. So I wear the shirt with a grain of salt and a big sense of humor. But, now I realize I have my work cut out for me to convince students that they have the authority to question everyone and everything, even me.
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AuthorNadene Klein, M.Ed. has been an educator for over 25 years. She brings a passion and love for science to the classroom and through this blog to you. Archives
March 2024
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