Science Project from HELL

This is an interesting story about a mother, her child, a B, the child’s teacher, a frazzled school official, and the science project from hell.

For some families, it’s a magical time. They bond, they learn. Parents can be involved in the teaching process, which strengthens the school community.

Some educators, such as Waite and Hillsborough elementary science supervisor Shana Tirado, say a child can do the work with minimal help from parents.

Orlopp and Williams disagree.

“It’s a parent project,” Williams said, surveying page after page of Carson’s instructions. From the multiple trials to the data compilation and double-space typed paper, she said, “There is absolutely no way a child can do this.”

Since mid-December, she has written to the teachers and principal. She photographed the children’s written comments, which reflect they were glad when the assignment ended.

In the grading rubric, she found no satisfactory explanation for the B. So many other projects got A’s, she said. She asked the teachers to reconsider, but they didn’t.

She has compared notes with friends, heard stories about kids who were coached on how to answer questions from the judges at competitions. She might go to the school board or to Tallahassee, even.

The question I have is, who is suffering more here? I pity that poor teacher.

About Brandon Haught

Communications Director for Florida Citizens for Science.
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