Having a Postitive Attitude Leads to a Positive Learning Experience

While reading a selection from our class textbook, I noticed that the term, “scientific self,” was used quite often.  I then attempted to decipher the meanings behind this term.  There had to be some significance to this term because it was used so much.  Thinking scientifically, I came to the conclusion that the author must have meant for, “scientific thinking,” to be understood as one’s knowledge of science that can be taught to their students in a confident manner.  To me, science is important and the more one practices it, the better their skills will become.

One of my past teachers was definitely aware of her scientific self, along with every other liberal arts subject.  My third grade teacher, Miss Levine, influenced me positively about all the subjects I learned in the duration of that particular year.  She always had a positive, friendly attitude and encouraged all questions and thoughts from each and every one of her students. 

On the other side of the spectrum, there was one teacher I will never forget that influenced me in a negative way about science.  My Earth Science professor during my freshman year of college did not make his course understandable or enjoyable to any of his pupils.  Every class day he had a miserable attitude and it felt as though he got joy out of giving poor grades out to students.  This professor was never willing to entertain questions about the materials covered in class.  He made it well-known that no one in his course was to receive an A, which discouraged many students in his class.  From these classroom experiences have taught me that in order to make school time enjoyable for children, I must always have a positive attitude, encourage questioning and thinking outside of the box, as well as helping struggling students instead of giving out poor grades.

The varying images of these two teachers also aides in the ability to enjoy class time.  My third grade teacher looked orderly and calm every day.  My Earth Science professor looked very uptight with his shirt tucked in tight and disorderly hair.  He looked frantic like typical scientists were to look.  If I were to draw a scientist that would appeal to elementary students, I would attempt to omit the stereotyping of being a Caucasian male with glasses, crazy hair, and lab coat because I’ve learned everyone is a scientist in their own way.  This tells me that my attitude about science is very open to anything and all types of people.

With the stereotyping of a scientist being a Caucasian male, it was difficult to think of at least two women of minority scientists.  Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was the first woman to successfully complete the medical qualifying exams in Great Britain.  She was also the first ever woman physician.  Elizabeth Arden was the founder and owner of a cosmetic company where she formulated the products that she then manufactured and sold.

Being a woman that thinks scientifically, I have to start realizing all of the endless opportunities to explore nature.  Whenever I go outside, I can observe birds and other wildlife, plants, and even the day-to-day weather changes.

"The most wonderful discovery made by scientists is science itself."

-Jacob Bronowski

Building Science Skills One Step at a Time

While contemplating how one exhibits a scientific way of thinking, I came to the conclusion that one must think scientifically and mathematically, simultaneously. Obtaining a scientific way of thinking contains the ability to memorize and perform mathematical equations. This may scare a few people away from thinking scientifically about various things because they believe they cannot memorize formulas and perform them correctly. I believe that with practice and time, anyone can begin to think scientifically. 

While creating a definition of how one can become a scientific thinker, I remembered a time in my life where I had a misconception about the way something worked. In my physics class I took during my senior year of high school, I had a difficult time relating certain formulas with particular problems. When deriving the completely different calculations than my peers, I came to the realization that my way of thinking about this type of physics problem was incorrect. I accepted the fact that I had an alternative misconception; I applied the correct formula with the assistance of my peers and derived the accurate and acceptable answer.

Because my peers had taught me the correct way to perform the troublesome physics problem, I believe they improved their understanding of the topic, as well. They seemed more confident in their mathematics problems within the physics class. It is extremely important for students of any age to not just recite what they have learned in class, but to also demonstrate and get the opportunity to teach the new materials and context to others.

I am a firm believer that technology has helped me learn immensely. Since technology has the ability to constantly evolve, it keeps me on my toes, prepared to learn new information about technology each and every day. Technology is a major part of my everyday life now that it has improved greatly just through my life-time alone. If children learn about technology at an early age, they will become more comfortable with it. They will improve even more with their technology skills if they teach skills to others, just as my peers in my physics class had shown during my senior year. It was a nice experience for me, as a future teacher to notice the effects and importance of hands-on teaching to others of materials that were just learned.

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow."
- Ronald E. Osborn