Another science lab story

Here’s yet another story about science labs and a new focus on science education overall. (Following up on yesterday’s post.)

Because of the intense focus on math and reading, the two main subjects on the FCAT, some elementary-age children received no science instruction at all, something no longer possible as principals face scrutiny in all three subjects.

But at middle and high schools, labs were getting squeezed long before the FCAT was introduced.

…

Dale Casamatta, an assistant professor who teaches introductory biology at the University of North Florida, said instructors have trouble structuring beginning biology courses because some students are so ill-prepared for hands-on scientific inquiry.

Half of his first-year students have never used a microscope, Casamatta estimated, and only about 10 percent of his biology students come in with a working knowledge of chemistry.

“They seem to see science as memorization of facts,” Casamatta said.