A letter from Grade 7

[Volans]

Originally Posted by Argonavis

I am not sure what you think you will achieve by doing that. The teachers grasp of astronomy may come from the astrology columns in the newspaper. I don't think we can expect teachers, and especially primary school teachers, to be highly knowledgable in all fields of science and technology. Most people get limited exposure to this stuff. About all of us are specialists in one field or another.

I suspect all you need to do is provide some information in one form or another. Your job is to educate the public, including students and teachers, not belittle them.

I would not achieve anything by replying to the letter in Latin. Added to that, I can only speak botanical Latin so the letter would go along the lines of:

What are the stars made of? Eucalyptus grandis, Banksia collina var. spinulosa and Sarracenia leucophylla.

That statement was made in jest and to appease my ruffled feathers. I might also add that, taken in full context, I did say that I would give the students some guidance. I am more than happy to gently educate people (as opposed to ramming stuff down their throat) but my feathers were ruffled because I (or whoever answers the letter) am expected to sign a declaration stating the information given is true. The implication being, if the teacher did not attempt to force me to give factual information by way of the signed declaration, then I would reply with falsehoods.

Respect begets respect.

If the teacher suggested to the students that they should write a letter to the astronomers at the planetarium then that is fine (although, as previously stated, they should really do their own research). The way the questions are worded; well that's not a problem either. Part of my job is to re-interpret questions that are badly phrased. I get this on a daily basis and I'm sure we have all come across the most common one - What magnification should I look for when buying a telescope? That is re-interpreted in terms of aperture.

It was that signed declaration that put a completely new spin on the matter. Why would you ask someone questions pertaining to their field of speciality if you did not trust them to give a factual answer? It is this level of innate mistrust that I find objectionable and hence my annoyance by it.

Here the matter rests until we contact the teacher concerned and gently probe as to why the letter was couched in the terms it was. I'll keep you informed.

Peter.

[Adrian-H]

seems rather ignorant of a letter, but i think you should just answer it honestly and post it back as if they are just mere questions to you. im sure if you reply with something more hmm questioning, you will be only giving these indivudals what they want out of you.

Q2. What is the purpose of having the stars?
(create life)
Q3. What is the purpose of having the sun?
(keep us alive)
Q4. What is the purpose of having the moon?
(i have no idea)
Q7. Would living things survive without the sun, moon or stars?
(not on earth)
Q9. Is there anything that's edible on the moon?
(if you want to eat dirt)

[mickoking]

Originally Posted by Argonavis

I am not sure what you think you will achieve by doing that. The teachers grasp of astronomy may come from the astrology columns in the newspaper. I don't think we can expect teachers, and especially primary school teachers, to be highly knowledgable in all fields of science and technology. Most people get limited exposure to this stuff. About all of us are specialists in one field or another.

I suspect all you need to do is provide some information in one form or another. Your job is to educate the public, including students and teachers, not belittle them.

I agree. Me thinks the Astronomy component at school is pitifully small (it was non existant when I was at school and was only an 'option' in year 12 Physics). Give the answers to the kids questions plus more.

Just my 2 bobs worth

[g__day (Matthew)]

Reaks a bit of intelligent design the way they ask about a purpose. It this were a subtle ID plays I'd be very unimpressed.

Purpose of having a Sun - limit the number of band aids sold, without a Sun we all bump into things more often and need lots of band aids.

Purpose of having a Moon - without you wouldn't have life on Earth, or more strictly only very basic life.

[ving (David)]

yes, keep us informed peter... i'd bve very interested inhow the teacher explains the format

[Volans]

G'day All,

It was back to work today after 4 days off with a typical Winter head cold. Working with the public on a daily basis, it's par for the course to get a head cold.

I asked my boss if he had a chance to phone the teacher about the letter and he said he didn't, so I phoned her today.

It's a classic case of mis-communication. The teacher knew what she was talking about but failed to put the details in the letter leading me to think uncharitable thoughts.

The students are participating in something run by Opti-MINDS Inc.
http://thecouriermail.com.au/extras/blogs/headstart/2006/05/opti-minds-2006.html

Basically, they are given a task and are not allowed to get help from either their parents or teachers. They are only allowed to get help from members of the community. The "please sign here" part of the letter appears to have been poorly worded as it is only meant to show that the students have honestly gone out to the community to receive help.

The teacher was quite pleased that I phoned up to make further inquiries and was only too happy to tell me all about Opti-MINDS. She asked me if I had noticed that the students had be vague about what their project was about (I had) and went on to say that they are not allowed to divulge the true content of their challenge as per the rules. She was also very glad that I was not going to give them the answers outright but refer them to various internet sites.

I made mention that some of the questions were not really appropriate (What is the purpose of having the stars/Sun /Moon?) and she told me to say in my reply that these are not the "correct" questions as this will teach the students that they need to think more carefully about the questions they ask.

So after lunch, I spent quite some time trawling the internet looking for sites that would answer their questions. I tried to think like a grade 7 student in terms of understanding content and came up with the following links.

Q1. What are stars made of?
http://observe.arc.nasa.gov/nasa/exhibits/stars/star_1.html
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_kids/AskKids/index.shtml

Q5. Is it safe to live on the moon?
http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/attm/nojs/a11.om.1.html
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/08sep_radioactivemoon.htm
Q6. What is the temperature like on the moon?
http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_kids/AskKids/index.shtml
Q7. Would living things survive without the sun, moon or stars?
http://stardate.org/resources/ssguide/earth_and_moon.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0861361.html
Q8. We heard the myth about the moon being made out of cheese. What is the moon really made of?
http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=47
Q9. Is there anything that's edible on the moon?
For this question I gave them an answer but told them to go to the site mentioned as it tells them about the Apollo mission food.
http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/attm/a11.jo.es.1.html

I have yet to send the reply letter, but need to do so in a day or two. If any of you know of other sites that would suit the students needs then please let me know.

Thanks for your feedback concerning this matter It's always good to see how others would tackle a particular situation.

Peter.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

The ol' www.wikipedia.com rarely lets me down.

[Volans]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

The ol' www.wikipedia.com rarely lets me down.

Very true Paul, I have it on my Favourites list both at work and home. However, after viewing some of the articles (particularly about the Moon) I thought it was a touch too high brow for Grade 7. You and I may understand the terminology used but would a 12 year old?

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

hmm, yes, asking the right questions - half the fun I have sometimes is working out what the kids are trying to ask me, too! I have run into similar situations (being asked to do homework questions) and politely refused to do their homework for them and given them a push in the right direction instead. I was interested in the outcome of your phone call, so thanks for detailing that. I would also have to say I have been asked recently if the moon was made of cheese and if the ISS was a fueling stop (it's a station, right, so it must be a petrol station...? ) Any opportunity to steer them in a better direction has to be a good one.

[iluvsaturn (Garth)]

I am so glad to have had my schooling in the 60's and 70's, that's all I can say!