Finding Science in the Real World Midway through a class discussion about the properties of electromagnetic radiation, a hand goes up in the back of the room. "When are we ever going to use this in real life?" If you teach middle or high school science, it's likely that you are asked this question on a regular basis, and with good reason. While adolescents are curious and rapid absorbers of information, they view the world from a unique perspective. They want to know how the concepts and principles they are learning affect them. Middle and high school students often search for meaning by making connections between what they are learning in school and their own realities outside of the classroom. The Pressures of Testing The perspective of the classroom teacher is affected by different concerns. Science teachers are under enormous pressure to introduce and assess extensive content during the school year. High stakes tests not only assess student progress, but in many cases create a perception of a teacher's effectiveness. Under these conditions, it is tempting to focus on standards that must be covered and ignore how these standards apply to what is taking place in the local community and the world. How the Real World Fits In How important is it to merge the two perspectives? Educational research shows that it is essential for optimal learning. Students acquire and retain information most effectively when material is relevant and presented in the context of real-life events and situations. Motivation and interest increase when students are able to apply what they are learning to what is happening in the world beyond school walls. When science is presented as a solution for a societal problem, students begin to understand its true importance. Making Real-Life Connections in Science Fortunately, real-life connections to science topics abound. Any student who uses a cellular phone, drives an automobile, or plays a sport actively applies scientific principles. One key to effective instruction lies in seamlessly integrating scientific applications and current topics of interest into the existing science curriculum. The following strategies will help you get started. Use the news. Read newspaper headlines and watch news reports with your curriculum in mind, and ask your students to do the same. When you encounter a story related to your subject, jot it down, and use it as fuel for discussion or further study. Current topics can be used to introduce a concept, or provide the content for an entire series of lessons. In addition, any class "downtime" can be devoted to discussion or research into a topic of interest. Reverse your approach. Teachers often begin with abstract science principles, and add applications if time allows or as an afterthought. When possible, begin a unit of study with a problem or situation that exists in the local or larger community. Then introduce the specific concepts and skills necessary to examine the problem or situation using a scientific approach. Utilize the World Wide Web. While the Internet is a virtually unlimited information source, choose sites with care. The Why Files, founded by the National Institute for Science Education and now operated by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School is a highly reputable and unique site that can help students make connections between what they are learning and the world outside of the classroom. The site offers stories about current topics that are accurate, entertaining, and informative. Searchable by subject or theme, articles are reader-friendly and include captivating graphics. Visit The Why Files at http://whyfiles.org Collaborate with Career-Technical Education instructors. CTE teachers are experts at using science and math skills to solve real-world problems. Ask the career-technical staff at your school to serve as consultants for your students. Consider inviting a specialist into your classroom to speak on a given topic, or be on hand for a lab exercise that is relevant to his or her area of expertise. Ask for assistance in designing a lesson or activity that involves an application of what your students are learning. Get outside of the classroom. You don't have to take your students on a field trip to connect science concepts and principles to the real world. Applied science is as close as the heating and air conditioning system in your school, the radios worn by your assistant principals, or the school athletic field. Plan brief field studies to various sites in and around your school that demonstrate science in action. Add to your existing assessment strategies. Add to your evaluation repertoire by having students create a product or develop a presentation that shows what they have learned about a given topic. This allows you to evaluate student learning based on a real-world application. Enlist support from beyond the school community. Representatives from business and industry are often willing to serve as mentors, speakers, or consultants in schools. Professionals in various fields apply science and math concepts in their work on a daily basis. If time does not permit individuals from the local work community to be directly involved in the classroom, they might serve as e-mail correspondents to answer student questions about how science is applied in their fields. Relevancy Reaps Rewards Students are more likely to work hard when they focus on projects and topics that they feel are worthwhile and relevant. When you bring real-world applications into your classroom, you utilize a powerful tool that allows you to not only convey information, but to inspire your students as well. This article was contributed by Jennipher Willoughby, a writer and former science and technology specialist for Lynchburg City Schools in Lynchburg, Virginia.