A Corporate Partner in the Science Classroom

THE WORLD IS CHANGING QUICKLY, and if our students don’t recognize
that what they are learning is relevant and empowering, then we as educators
are not doing our job. No field has advanced more rapidly in the past
20 to 30 years than that of science. We have moved into a new era of
technology development that presents a new set of challenges for educators
and curriculum developers. We wish to teach new ideas and concepts, but
it has been nearly impossible for the school-based curriculum to match the
fast-changing pace of technological developments.
We should address the following questions: Can we provide students
with a more complete picture of new scientific industries by calling
upon individuals with a high degree of vision and expertise in these fields?
Can students’ learning be enhanced outside the school as well as within it?
Can this learning experience provide meaningful opportunities that enrich
the students’ development into mature young adults? How can we maintain
the quality and content of what is taught and at the same time provide an
education that is motivating and relevant? As we continually reconsider the
questions of what is taught, how to teach it effectively, and why is it important
to teach it, high technology biology businesses are already beginning
to provide meaningful direction.
Bringing the kids out of the classroom and into the laboratories of working companies is
adding a new and relevant twist to how science is taught. This interaction is
not only benefiting curriculum development but is also enhancing the students’
development. And, as an incentive for industry, the interaction will
help educate “tech-savvy” citizens and the next generation of scientists.