Links for 2012-04-18

Lest you get too depressed about the mothballing of the Space Shuttles, a roundup of all the cool space probes out there producing real science.

The purpose of bringing busloads of middle-school children to campuses is not to emphasize a particular place. Mr. O'Hara says he downplays the names of particular campuses. They visit student centers, libraries and dorms, take in a varsity basketball game, and meet with college students who grew up in Oyster Bay. Along the way, Mr. O'Hara and guidance counselors show the eighth graders the amazing experiences that await curious, motivated teenagers -- including those whose parents didn't graduate from college. I think of it this way: For quite a few boys and girls, high school is a chore to be endured. They're likely to do better if they sense that college is different -- it's a chance to pursue real interests. Think of it in culinary terms. When you take certain children to a restaurant buffet, it's a good idea to let them walk them past the dessert table; that gives them some incentive to gobble down the broccoli.

Documentaries about school, though, are a different matter, particularly documentaries that seek to change social policies and institutions. Bully clearly wants to play a leading role in eliminating the practice of bullying. As a human being who believes that the world could be more compassionate and tolerant, I support the film's agenda. As a teacher who sees kids every day, I'm somewhat alarmed by the information the filmmakers left out or just decided not to deal with. I liked Bully, but I wanted it to be both more expansive and more focused.