My fiance is a Junior High and High School science teacher. IPC - Integrated Physics and Chemistry (the new version of "Physical Science", Chemisty, and Physics. She complains a lot about not being able to teach what she an I learned in HS. We had a full hour with a teacher who could, and would, put a knot on your head for not paying attention. She gets 40 minutes to try and settle and deal with a class of students to whom she can't even speak harshly without repercussions. 40 minutes to take roll, explain the lab / assignment, go over the safety rules (again), do the lab, go over the observations, etc, etc, etc. The "safety" concerns are given to her as excuses from administrators from time to time. Her response, "We survived it, they can too." The powers that be are entertaining the thoughts of student aids next year like we got to be when we were upperclassmen in HS which will help her a lot.
As a lifelong chemistry nut, I guest speak in her class sometimes. It is sad to see the lack of focus, drive, and general interest from the kids. As my 18 year old HS Senior daughter says, "I swear, kids these days are lost of they have to read anything longer than a twitter post!" The talks I have with the 7th grade kids is "What is Science?" "Ummm... Chemistry?" "Uhhh... Space?" I explain to them that EVERYTHING is science. "NUH UH!!!" I will ask each one their interests. Invariably, there is a science (or one closely related) to whatever they are interested in. Cosmetology, Pharmacology, Pyrotechnics, Electrical Engineering... With the HS classes I focus on practical applications of Chemistry and Physics in everyday life. "Why is it important to know not to mix bleach and ammonia when cleaning house?" "What if your car battery is getting a little weak on those cold mornings? Try desulfating with Epsom Salts." "Are you out of baking powder and need to make biscuits? What can you use to substitute?" And the demonstration that REALLY gets their attention, the old baby oil / Vaseline on a condom trick.
Most of the classes do well, but she has one class where the student's parents were obviously too closely related to be reproducing safely.
On the first day of labs there was a group of girls who kicked their shoes off to walk around barefoot. I took a wad of duct tape around the floor and showed them all the slivers of glass from previously broken lab equipment. They shrugged. I then took some hydrion papers around the lab and swabbed counters, carts, and the floor to show them the high levels of acidic and alkali caustics that could burn holes in their feet. Some areas were so bad we had to neutralize and clean the area or take the equipment outside to hose off. Again, shrugs. Finally a threat of a daily zero for failing to follow lab safety rules did the job. They put on flip flops.
