Lake Travis Independent School District Science Fair Information

  
 

This web site is devoted to promoting Science Fairs in the Lake Travis School District.

  
  Education is a common subject that is brought up in many discussions. The president always talks about how we need more scientists and engineers. Every time we call for technical help with our computers, Internet, and most all other devices we complain that we have a hard time understanding the person on the other end of the line, from India, the Philippines, and other places. Our local papers often brag about how well our school is doing in state and national rankings, but often we cannot brag because our local schools are really not doing very well. Sometimes, we pick out a single event and brag about that. When out local schools do not make the grade, then we read the various excuses and rationalizations as to why we don't. When problems develop, the tendency is to blame others. Rarely if ever have I heard an administrator say that they have made a mistake or should be doing something differently.

We should all remember the three most important three Rs that are supposed to be learned in school, "reading, (w)riting, and (a)rithmetic". A student that learns these three skills has the tools to self teach themselves almost anything else they want to learn. In addition, other skills are necessary to be a productive individual. Science, fine arts, music, history, business, are all necessary. Football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and others are fun things to do for recreation but rarely prepare a student to be self sufficient in later life. Unfortunately, at Lake Travis High School,  the sports seem to be the most important, that is if you read the papers and other news media.

Lake Travis High School does have a program called "Institutes of Study." On the surface, this appears like a good program. The program establishes advanced courses that are available for students that know what they want to do after graduation. I say, "on the surface" as I do not have any data as to how many students take advantage of these advanced courses. In any event, the courses look to be standard listen to a lecture, take a test, get a grade type of course. The Institute might be good for the student that gets to the 12th grade with a desire to take these courses, but little is done to promote the taking of the advanced courses. Specifically, what I am talking about is the lack of science fairs in the school district.

I have heard from those who know, that kids in elementary school have an interest in science. However as the student moves on into middle school and high school, this interest is replaced by sports and other activities that are more "cooler" than science. All of our elementary schools have science fairs, one are great, others not, but this is where science ends. In our middle schools, the students take a single general science course every year. In high school it is the same with the exception of the senior year when the student can take the advanced Institute of Learning courses.

What is a science fair?

Science fairs are secret activities that few get to observe. A science fair is where the results of a science project are are shown to judges. Unfortunately, only the judges, teachers, and volunteers at the schools get to see the results of the effort that kids put into their science projects. Even parents do not see their students project against those of other students. The results of the science fairs are kept secret and the public never knows much about them. After the fair is over, the evidence is destroyed, never to be seen again. This is how science is discouraged in the LTISD.

All schools are not like ours. Lets take Vista Ridge High School for example. Last year, VR high school sent 57 projects to the Austin Energy Regional Science Fair. The reason VRHS  had so many entries is because of a dedicated teacher that thinks science fairs are important. You can read notes from an interview that I had with Michelle Mann on this site. Actually, Stan Alanzo is a dedicated teacher.  He told the volunteers that when he started teaching at Bee Cave Elementary, he was told that he would be the science fair coordinator. It seems he grew into the position and now does an excellent job each year.

 

  
 

To read about my interview with Michelle Mann, click here.

 		  
 

To read my full version letter to the editor of the "Lake Travis View" , click here.

 		  
 

To read my condensed 400 word to the editor of the "Lake Travis View", click here

 		  
 

Austin Energy Regional Science Fair pictures, click here

 

  
 

To see the pictures from the 2009 Bee Cave Elementary school science fair, click here