Local schoolkids' learning improves...thanks to a "Trekkie" teacher

[thatcrazycajun]

How many mocking news stories on TV and in print have we seen about "weirdo" fans of Star Trek showing up for jury duty, their jobs or their weddings in Starfleet uniforms? Well, this one from our local paper today almost makes up for all those others. A middle-school teacher in the Atlanta suburb of Dacula (pronounced "dah-KOOL-ah," not like Dracula) and a nurse have teamed up to induct poorly-performing students into their own educational version of Starfleet Academy, even to wearing uniforms in front of the class—every single day!—and couching math and science exercises in entertaining Trek-style scenarios.

And the beauty part? It actually works! The "cadets" have significantly improved their grades and readiness for the statewide testing they must pass in order to graduate. And parents who were skeptical of the approach at first are now fully on board (so to speak) with the evidence that it really helps their kids do better...and more importantly, gets them wanting to do better.

Maybe now the mundane world will start to realize what we've known all along: that Trek fans, and fans of SF and fantasy in general, aren't only about obsessively watching movies and TV and starting Internet flamewars, but actually work to contribute to real-life social needs in their communities. Somewhere out in the cosmos, Gene Roddenberry's ghost is smiling.

Comments

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

That and *how many* engineers credit Montgomery Scott as being their inspiration? Jimmy left quite a legacy...

Personally? it would do us good to promote Kaylee in a similar vein... we need more women engineers.

[wouldyoueva.livejournal.com]

Nah, people whose idea of "normal" includes getting passionately involved with their local sport teams, and passively watching their entertainment think those of us who get passionately involved with ideas and like to interact with our entertainment are too weird.

Pretty much *anything* you do in teaching kids makes a difference. It just breaks down when it's institutionalized.

[wolfette]

it's the teachers who "stand out" in your memory who teach you the most. I had a Latin teacher who encouraged us to drape togas, build model Roman forts and draw up menus for Roman banquets. He'd do crazy things like pretending to stab himself with a blackboard pointer while yelling "Gladium strinxit, Pyramus se vulnerat" and jumping off the desk shouting "Sextus in muram desciliat".

NOBODY failed Latin in our school!

[dsthomas.livejournal.com]

I had a History teacher who had us read the chapter over night and come back to class and we acted out the chapter. I don't remember her NAME, but I DO remember her methods and the lessons!

[mshollie.livejournal.com]

I remember having an English class in high school with all the theatre geeks (I was one, too.). We learned a lot that year.

[dsthomas.livejournal.com]

THAT is so awesomely COOL! (I thought it was da-que-la) I so love to read your Trek and sci-fi posts. They are so informative!

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm always thrilled to hear that someone enjoys what I write here.

[anaisdjuna.livejournal.com]

That's pretty neat!

[libgirl.livejournal.com]

As a teacher, I found that very interesting!! :D

Thanks for sharing it! :D

What a great story

[crystalgee.livejournal.com]

Stories like this do give me hope-especially the part about them wanting to do better.

[wheezinggirl.livejournal.com]

My brother-in-law teaches at the Kalamazoo Math and Science Acadamy in Michigan. He is known by his students for his love of Star Trek. To that end, his students created a facebook page for him: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=7565747533

[sodyera.livejournal.com]

I am so impressed by this. I'm surprised Paramount hasn't jumped on them as free publicity for the franchise.

[dan-ad-nauseam.livejournal.com]

Given Paramount's record, I'm surprised it hasn't jumped on them with a cease-and-desist letter.