I have to commend Friedman for being more
than honest about the sobering facts of our current society. We have banned together against the common “evil”,
but our true focus needs to be on preparing our society for its future. If we look at other major countries their
focus is centered on bettering themselves, ours is on changing others. But what
should we do? As a country, we must determine what motivates us and what will
define our science program. Back then, we had Sputnik and the race to space.
Now, I am not sure what our focus is or what event will motivate the direction
of our science programs. At times it is how our students rank in science and
math compared to their international peers and at other times we are more
concerned with on economic goals or shortcomings. First, at all levels we need
to stop comparing ourselves with other countries and help our students master
the basics that will allow them to become critical thinkers. Second, we must
invest in our scientific and mathematic future. Finally, we must tap into the
innovative brilliance that is on display in many of our brightest companies
like Apple and Microsoft to engage, motivate, and guide our students.
As a nation, we cannot rely on comparisons
to other countries to guide the direction of our science program any more. We
have to an honest look into our strengths and deficiencies to know where to
begin boosting our science program. Our students lack the basic skills, creative
thinking, and knowledge of the benefits of a science education. By ensuring
that every student can read and comprehend, we eliminate many obstacles that
prevent students from being more successful in science. If we improve our
students’ creative thinking skills, we expand their ability to solve problems
and extend their thinking. When we make our students more aware of the benefits
of a science education we create more engaged science students that imagine careers
in the field of science. In the end, by cleaning up our science program
internally, we take control of our own direction.
Next, we must invest into our scientific
and mathematical future. We must recruit and retain our brightest science
teachers to guide our science students. Then, we must provide our science
students with the greatest resources and experiences available. Finally, we
have to develop a science curriculum that is engaging, rigorous, and accessible
to all students equally. By reinvesting in our scientific and mathematical
future, we ensure our place in a competitive world.
Lastly, we have to take advantage of the
businesses like Apple and Microsoft that lead the world in innovation. For years,
companies like Microsoft and Apple have led the way with inventions and
technology that captivate and advance the world. We have to use those companies
to help recruit and engage the best science minds among our society. Each one
of these companies could provide the blueprint for our students to develop the
next scientific revolution. In conclusion, each of these strategies could
provide a much needed spark to interest our students in science, technology, engineering,
or math.
