Reflections on Middle School Science Fair

Consolation
Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:08:34 +0000

The interjection of craft elements into projects is a huge thing in middle school, and even the early part of high school, and definitely works against the interests of most boys.

I agree completely with Gourmetmom’s observations.

We observed when our S was in middle school that making things look pretty and following instructions were the primary criteria used to judge work by some teachers. It definitely favored the compliant females.

To my mind effective communication by visual means is a valid consideration, using glitter is not. :)

My S had a “science” teacher in 7th grade who was known for her efforts to interest girls in science. The first project of the year was supposedly designed to reinforce the use of the scientific method: students were to predict which color lifesaver would dissolve more quickly in the mouth and then devise an experiment to test the hypothesis. (Color doesn’t make any difference was not an acceptable prediction, one gathers!) Apparently this “experiment” was supposed to interest the girly-girls. My son came home and reported this with an air of disbelief. He could not believe that he was expected to waste months on this garbage when he was ready to delve into science, and he had total contempt for the teacher, which I’m afraid he let show. My H and I gave him a hard time for consistently getting a B+ from this teacher until we sat through a conference at which she declared, in front of him, “I know S isn’t interested in science.” We were dumbfounded. As we walked out, we said, “S, don’t worry about your grade from this person any more.” (He was in the G/T science program, which mostly met during lunch, and ultimately took APs in Bio, Chem, and Physics in HS.)

Oh, and our HS asks parents to volunteer as judges at the science fair, in addition to the science teachers–only some of whom are women. :)