Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/42291
WITH THE RISE OF FEDERALLY MANDATED HIGH-STAKES TESTS IN ENGLISH AND MATH, SCIENCE EDUCATION IS GETTING PUSHED TO THE BACK BURNER. ARE WE ENDANGERING SCIENCE? PHOTOGRAPHY Scott Buschman Story by Sherry Posnick-Goodwin THE KINDERGARTNERS AT Audubon Ele- mentary School in Foster City stare intently at the goldfish swimming in a bowl. They are amazed to learn fish actually breathe through gills. They are intrigued to learn fish are covered in "scales" instead of regular skin, have eyes on the sides of their head, and move with the help of dorsal and lateral fins. Carole Delgado asks them to draw "missing" body parts on a diagram of a fish before they leave the table and make way for the next group of students. "Science is important, and kids love it," says Delgado, a member of the San Mateo Elementary Teachers Associa- tion. "The world is an exciting place, and it's important for them to learn about it. But it's so hard to find the time to teach science. If I could, I'd teach three science lessons a week. But I'm lucky to fit science in once a week." It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know science educa- tion is becoming extinct in California's schools, producing a negative impact on society. It's a domino effect: Science gets short shrift in elementary schools that focus mostly on English and math due to No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements. Students enter secondary school lacking a foundation in science, and their classes emphasize rote memorization instead of hands-on learning. With schools unable to afford materials for science labs, students think science is boring and pursue careers in other fields. With- out a new generation of scientists, America loses its edge in creating new technology, finding cures for diseases and improving the overall quality of life. Science lesson using goldfish strikes a chord with Carole Delgado's (left) kindergartners Rachel Farabee, Rishita Dhalbisoig (top), Nicole Benitoo and Brenon Kirkes (bottom). September 2011 / www.cta.org 13