teaching
grrlscientist | July 28, 2006
It takes three legs to make a tri-pod
Or to make a table stand.
It takes three wheels to make a ve-hicle
Called a tricycle.
Every triangle has three corners,
Every triangle has three sides,
No more, no less.
You don't have to guess.
When it's three you can see
It's a magic number.
Do you remember those Saturday mornings, sitting around in front of the TV in your pajamas when you were a kid, waiting for that week's episode of Schoolhouse Rock? I do. So I have decided it would be fun to watch one of the Schoolhouse Rock videos with you each week, just like the good old days, except I will…
grrlscientist | July 27, 2006Throughout the years, I have read quite a bit about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but because I do not claim to be an expert on the situation, I rarely comment about it. Despite this, I have long been convinced that there is a much better way to deal with that tragic situation than what is being done right now, a way to deal with it that will take into account the best interests of both sides. Recently, I found a streaming video that addresses this situation that you might also find to be quite thought-provoking.
Peace, Propaganda, and the Promised Land is a truly interesting streaming…
grrlscientist | July 18, 2006
Well, well, well, will wonders never cease? It seems that I have been offered a job. Of course, no papers have been signed yet, so anything can happen between now and the time that the job starts.
Basically, I was asked to teach evolution to non-majors at a private Catholic college this autumn. Of course, I have to stay alive until September when the semester begins and then, if they haven't changed their minds and they keep their promise to hire me, I will earn approximately half (or less) of my monthly rent, along with absolutely no medical/dental insurance benefits whatsoever, nor any…
grrlscientist | June 28, 2006
Question: What makes a good science teacher?
It took me forever to answer this question, mostly because I don't know the magic formula that makes a good science teacher, but I finally came up with a useful answer. Well, I think.
I think that a good science teacher has the same qualities that any good teacher has. I have had many more terrible teachers than good ones, so I will begin by telling you about the qualities of those teachers whom I hated, and then I will tell you a little bit about the best high school teacher I ever had.
I hated (science) teachers who;
made me feel stupid (…
grrlscientist | May 14, 2006This morning, I saw this letter on the NYTimes Letters the the Editor page;
To the Editor:
One has only to look at the acceptance of "intelligent design" by the president and high-ranking members of Congress to define a society that looks on evolution with open hostility or suspicion.
Creationists recognized years ago that very few students take college courses in biology, and most are exposed to a serious study of biology only in high school. Today most biology texts cover evolution, but in specific chapters that can be conveniently ignored by teachers under threat. Such books use several…
grrlscientist | April 20, 2006I know this sounds incredible, especially in view of NYC's nationwide appeal to bribe unsuspecting math and science teachers to teach in the NYC public school system, but a friend just sent me this shocking story that is hot off the presses ...
Teacher Arrested At JFK Airport in NYC
NEW YORK -- Shortly after midnight today, a man was arrested while trying to board an international flight at JFK airport in New York City while in possession of a ruler, protractor, setsquare, slide rule, log tables, and a calculator. The 37-year-old man, whom officials declined to identify pending further…
jlynch | December 10, 2005It’s the end of the semester here. Classes ended last week and that leaves me with some final exams and papers to get graded before the end of this week. I’ve also got a talk (on ID) to prepare for Friday. All good.
Via PZ, I give you the Beatitudes for Teachers:
Then Jesus took his disciples up on the mountain and gathered them around Him. And then He taught them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,Blessed are the meek,Blessed are the merciful,Blessed are you who thirst for justice,Blessed are you who are persecuted,Blessed are the peacemakers."
And Simon Peter said, "Do we have to…