Ask an expert: Why are students bored with science?

October 10, 2000
Web posted at: 12:07 PM EDT (1607 GMT)

By Henry F. Olds

Question: It surprises me that so many students tell me that they are bored with science. It is a fascinating subject, even if one finds it difficult. What can I do to overcome this obstacle?

Answer: All of what I have said about students who find math hard also applies to those who find science boring.

In addition, far too much science is taught from school textbooks (and by teachers who know little more about science than what is in the textbooks). Science is about life and about real phenomena in our world, and it must be experienced directly, not through the words of a textbook.

I have had the experience many times of observing teachers having an opportunity, maybe for the first time in their lives, to do some real science. In most cases, the experience transforms their life and their teaching.

Science may well be potentially the most exciting subject in the curriculum because so much is being discovered every day. And scientists -- that is, the people who do and think science every day -- are incredibly exciting people. So teachers must be able to do and think science to some degree so they can share the excitement of science with their students.

The Jason Project, now in its 12th year on the Web, is one of the best examples of how students and teachers can be exposed to the excitement of doing and learning science.

Ask an expert: Why do students think math is hard?
October 9, 2000

Jason Project

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