Promoting science a noble cause

To paraphrase Bill Foster, United States Congressman and science fair judge at the Discovery Science Fair in Elgin last month, "I want to hear about both successes and failures students experienced during their scientific investigation. I want to find out both how they dealt with those failures and what they learned from those mistakes."

He later commented that during his tenure as a scientist, most of his ideas did not result in new discoveries or new products, but the research and investigation that was successful became a catalyst that changed peoples lives and brought forth prosperity in the form of new technologies and inspiring new challenges for our society.

It is refreshing to have a politician, knowledgeable and experienced in science, proclaim the virtues of pursuing the study of science as an endeavor and as a career. I am sure that the parents, students and school administrators listening to his speech at the science fair would agree that now, more than ever, science education is a noble venture and a viable career focus for many of our youth aspiring to become our nation's future engineers and scientists.

As an educator and proud parent I could not help but feel a sense of relief as I witnessed and engaged students with discussions about their science projects; what it was that they were trying to learn; how the knowledge gained changed their insights to the world around them; how they are recommitted to learn more and come back again next year to again showcase the good that science has to offer to our community!

Science fairs provide unique educational opportunities for teachers to capitalize on the skills and talents of our students, and it is one of many collaborative efforts by all stakeholders in the community to help meet the educational needs of all our children.

Greg Reiva

Science educator

School District U-46

Elgin