Sputnik?

America's schools are continuously falling behind other nation's schools. Unfortunately, I feel that it comes from our students not caring. Let's face it. We live in a very competitive country. But sometimes I feel that we put more emphasis on things other than education, which should not be such a priority. We need to get our students better prepared for the workforce world. Education is one of the most important things that our children have the opportunity to gain. This is one thing that can not be taken away from them. It is also a competitive area among different countries. Can STEM put America where it needs to be in comparison with the other countries? I say YES, it can, with work and dedication on the part of the teachers, STUDENTS, as well as the PARENTS.

I feel that we, as the United States have a long way to go before there is a commitment to science education reform. I'm not saying that we haven't gotten our toes wet yet, however, I do believe that there is a long way to go before we reach the forefront of global competition. Our students have been told for far too long that science is not important and that it does not count. This is going to take a lot of undoing before it even begins to get a little better. Some schools have started to try to put science back as an important part of our student's education. This may be coming from a higher authority. As a step in the right direction, my school has started taking science really serious. This is however due to the fact that science is becoming the second indicator for our Annual Yearly Progress. Science is really getting a lot of attention lately...but has it come too late?

With the millions of dollars being spent on the wars, one would think that education would be slightly as important. I do not understand why education keeps getting cut in the budget cuts when education is what is needed for one to succeed. The things that our schools could do with all of the million, billions of dollars that is being spent on wars. Just does not seem fair to our children...country...nation.

Natural Disasters

I feel it is very important for our young students to be scientifically literate and compassionate. I am an advisor for a club at my school called the Junior Beta Club. Our club has gotten together to raise and collect money to send to Japan for the families that have been devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. What makes this fundraiser so special to me is that it was the children's idea to raise the money to send to Japan. The Junior Beta Club members have asked the other students in the school not to buy ice cream or cookies, but to instead, give that money for the families in Japan. Some students have given up their cookies or ice cream while others have not, but it is a start in our endeavour.

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