Subcommittee Spearheads Look Into the State of High School Labs; Scientific Learning in Classrooms
Washington, D.C. – Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA) led the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education in discussing how to improve the laboratory experience for America’s high school students. This was the first meeting of the subcommittee in the 110th Congress.
In today’s hearing, the subcommittee heard from two panels of witnesses on H.R. 524, a bill to Establish a Laboratory Pilot Program at the National Science Foundation. The bill would award grants to improve laboratories and to provide instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to enhance the quality of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology instruction in high school.
“For our country to compete in the global marketplace, our students must be provided with an education that prepares them for college and eventually to compete for high-tech jobs,” said Chairman Baird. “I am very concerned that American students are not achieving their potential in science and math education. Improving their opportunities is the key to our country’s strength and future prosperity.”
According to a 2005 report published by the National Research Council, laboratory science programs in high school classrooms are in disarray, and certain factors seriously hamper efforts to improve them. In addition to inadequate facilities and equipment, the report also focuses on non-physical issues, such as inadequate teacher training and preparation, non-cohesive lab exercises and curricula, and extensive state standards that limit laboratory time.
“I am constantly on a mission to find ways that we can strengthen our system of education at all levels to incorporate support for STEM teachers and students,” said Ranking Member Vernon Ehlers (R-MI). “Laboratory experiences are a significant part of the greater issue of improving STEM education in our nation and I am very pleased that my colleague, Representative Hinojosa, has introduced a bill to improve high school laboratory science, particularly for those in highest need.”
Dr. Arthur Eisenkraft of the University of Massachusetts, Boston, testified during today’s hearing; he was part of the committee that investigated the state of high school labs.
“We must provide labs to high school students in order to give them experience with the processes of science in much the same way that I have to practice on knitting needles in order to make a sweater,” Dr. Eisenkraft said in his testimony. “We have to provide labs to students so that they have a common experience with which to explore science content. And we must insure that all students have equal access to labs regardless of their socio-economic status or whether they are enrolled in an honors class or a remedial class. These labs should reflect what we know about effective, high quality lab instruction as well as what we know about student learning.”
The Subcommittee on Research and Science Education has jurisdiction over matters relating to science policy and science education.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduces companion legislation in the Senate.
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