Note: The following is from Arthur Stewart at ORAU, who shared the comments he received after the recent Science Bowl competition.
The Vols4STEM site identified the 2008 Tennessee Science Bowl as an event worthy of volunteer efforts.
Here are some comments from coaches who brought teams to the competition:
“Our students had a wonderful time and we look forward to participating next year, possibly even with two teams! Our hats off to you and the staff who worked to make this weekend a success." -- Analice H. Sowell, Memphis University School
"My students and I had a great time competing and experiencing the whole event. Thank you for all the time and effort that went into planning it and please pass my appreciation on to all the volunteers and sponsors. It was an amazing experience for the ten students I brought along from our school. Only three are seniors, so most are already looking forward to 2009." -- Laurette Carle, Independence High School
"Thanks for a great tournament this weekend. Although my team did not make it into the playoff rounds, my students enjoyed the experience and are already looking forward to next year's tournament." -- Joe Meko, Franklin Road Academy
“The kids are already planning for next year and have requested to be in more advanced science and math classes so they can be more competitive. My JV captain (rising sophomore) has signed up for 2 AP classes and he has challenged every member of his team to reach outside their comfort zone take at least one honors science or math class next year. You may have created a monster.” -- Bob Gant, Morristown Hamblen High School East
The competitions included 54 teams of students from 34 high schools across the state and involved more than 200 volunteers and 30 sponsors. The Tennessee Science Bowl clearly energizes and rewards the coaches and students, to Tennessee’s longer-term science-education benefit. The event cannot be made sustainable without sustained sponsor assistance.
In its continuing series of guest columns on education, this week's Knoxville News Sentinel featured Bob Hirche, president of ICMAS Inc.
Hirche's suggestions on education are two-fold: allocate monies to necessary programs such as reading programs for elementary schools, and look at how teachers are respected by students and as seen by the benefits given to those in the position.
Hirche mentioned that Ireland had a superior method of education in which teachers were paid more and were respected by the community and the students.
Hirche writes, "I would suggest that what we need to do to improve public education in Tennessee is already out there; we just need to have the will to adopt and execute."
The Public School Forum, an organization concerned with ensuring Tennessee's schools are implementing best practices in education, has launched a new website.
The site features three public service commercials, two of which include Tennessee Lady Vol women's basketball coach Pat Summitt. The announcements concern raising educational standards and equipping students with the right knowledge and equipment to succeed in their studies.
The commercials are currently airing on seven East Tennessee television stations, and can be re-viewed on the site. The site is supported by the Knoxville Chamber and the Great School Partnership.
U.S. Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue had a column this week about the lack of financial education in American public schools. He said that this leads to poor financial decisions for adults who do not know better.
Donohue writes, "For too long, America's education system has failed to equip students with the knowledge they need to make good financial decisions. An alarming number of adults are unable to balance a checkbook, understand the terms of a basic mortgage, realize the benefits of compound interest, and properly manage credit card debt. Today we are suffering the consequences."
Tennessee's State Board of Education this year added personal finance to the curriculum for high school students, along with additional courses in math, science and foreign languages.
This weekend, the Knoxville News Sentinel carried a column by Don Barkman, president of the Business Center, who opined that schools and parents need to work together to overhaul the way that the youth learn.
He notes that the success of the educational system has a direct impact on the economic/business system.
"Global competitiveness requires a competent work force. Employers are one of the customers of the education system whose product is an educated citizenry/work force. That system should produce citizens who know pertinent facts, apply fundamental skills (4Rs) and creative thinking to new experiences, achieve productive results and establish positive interpersonal relationships."
Barkman suggests that parents and educators of the youngest students need to establish successful learning habits for students to meet that level of competency as young adults.
"To solve a problem requires addressing the root cause. In this case, that involves the processes employed by the suppliers of the raw material (students) — parents and the elementary schools ... The root cause is a flawed educational process. Teachers at all levels find it difficult to draw students’ attention away from entertaining distractions to focus on the nitty-gritty skills of life."
Barkman recommends emphasizing practical skills and experience that students will need as adults rather than more abstract knowledge.
"Strip away the needless memorization of facts that never last into adulthood. Replace them with everyday skill sets like reading a loan application and planning a nutritious meal, and assessment makes more sense to everyone ... On the business side of the education equation, local firms can band together to become “foster firms” to schools to bring more support and real-life connections into the classroom."
Read 'State’s education process needs big changes to make graduates ready for workforce'
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