Blog Entry #5 "Go Green Go"

In the article “Green Schools Don’t Make the Grade” there were several facts that were presented as well as data regarding the effectiveness on energy savings of green schools verses newly constructed schools not under a green program. I found this to be an interesting article because I have done extensive research into green building methods and green initiatives such as LEED, Energy Star, and EERE (energy efficiency and renewable energy). These programs were initially designed reduce power costs and improve appearances of industrial, corporate, and state and federal buildings. I have researched this and its effects on airports because of their unique designs and requirements. Schools pose extremely unique requirements as well and have special requirements that go above and beyond what these programs were intended for.
There are many schools being built today that incorporate green technology such as geothermal heating and air, filtered water systems, and recycled materials that are not being built under LEED green guidelines. The main reason schools are using these new methods in construction is for the overall efficiency and cost savings. This is partial what is reflected in the data provided by in the article reflecting the lower utility costs of new buildings not built under LEED’s certification. School Buildings built under the LEED’s certification require additional features and materials that are not typically associated with schools and may in fact be hazardous to maintaining security and safety in schools.
These programs have many great qualities and any additional money offered by the federal government to improve or build new schools is beneficial. Government money offsets what schools would have to pay to upgrade and put in to new buildings therefore, money schools would have spent can be applied in other areas of education. I do believe that the program does need to be reevaluated and advancement in school design and green technology needs to be a priority instituted along with this initiative. There are additional benefits to the LEED’s certification program that were not included in the article which include improved natural lighting, interior greenways, and noise control.

Blog Entry #4 "Curriculum and Diversity"

I would say that the experiences during my years of schooling have significantly impacted not only many of my views but also developed me into who I am. During my elementary education years there was a strong push on the arts, athletics, and socialization. This of course was above and beyond the core curriculum of Math, Science, and English/Writing. The focus on arts, and athletics seemed to an avenue to increasing socialization skills by providing students with feelings of acceptance by belonging to clubs or teams. The curriculum was in some ways multicultural as the discussions in English included origins of words, math was the universal language, science was primarily European, and history depended upon the subject matter but was almost always presented from multiple angles. In my elementary school the diversity was within individuals not in race, by this I mean that it was an all white school so diversity came in the forms of disabilities, religion, and personalities. We were taught that people have differences none of us are exactly the same and this is what makes our country unique.
My high school education was a unique experience in its self as I attended a private military school. The curriculum was more of a controlling factor, as the emphasis was on academics and grades. Four years of Math, Science, English, and History were required along with two years of a foreign language and then two years in Engineering, Drafting, or Art History. The school make up was drastically diverse, to include non English speaking students. The school had two-hundred students from grades seven through twelve and made up of Black and White American, Black and White African, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Asian, Russian, and European students. Academics were not taught at any differently for any one individual, however History and English were evaluated from many different view points and readings in English were vary diverse.
There were never any classes on how to socialize with various cultures, the curiosity of children prevailed and socialization and friendship flourished. I would have to side with the article “Multiculturalism in School Curriculum” and say that the curriculum its self does not need to change but rather the method of teaching. I would also agree that some text books need to be altered to reflect a more adequate view of history, language, and scientific origin. Upon reading the first article “Organizers See 'New Civil Rights Movement' in Immigration Protests” I was struck with the notion that our nation is making the jobs of integration and teaching multiculturalism increasingly difficult. While teachers are trying to educate students on the importance of diversity and incorporating the greatness of the U.S. melting pot our government is wanting to close the borders, has Americans afraid of terrorist attacks, and addresses concerns with China, North Korea, Pakistan, Iraq, and Iran in the news on a daily basis. How are children expected to learn acceptance, tolerance, and enjoy the beauty of multiculturalism while our government and media driven society is teaching them the opposite.

Blog Entry #3 "Mulit-America"

I’m not quite sure were education in the United States lost site of the fundamentals of education. I say that with a cautious tone because I realize that many aspects of education have remained constant. However, after reading, “The Challenge of 'Multiculturalism' In How Americans View the Past and the Future” I was shocked to learn that text books and curriculum are being altered to reflect different points of view in history classes. As far as I knew history was a look at all sides of a past action, an evaluation of how the event occurred and what the results of those events were. How do you teach history from one viewpoint?
One of the concerns I have was brought up in the first sentence of the article “Why Multiculturalism Is Wrong”, which addresses the misconceptions some people have on culture and that of race. Here in the United States almost every individual is multicultural and many of them are of mixed races. Skin tone is no longer an indicator of culture or race and over time in the multicultural United States generations have created their own culture, a culture of Americans. How does education plan on teaching multiculturalism from a view point oriented from one cultures vantage? Regardless of the country, people in general have made horrible choices. Societies have defiled mankind in the name of religion, war, race, hate, culture, land, and politics and still to this day mankind makes these same mistakes. History is a learning tool to teach of these actions, regardless of the nature, and inform the youth of today so that these mistakes are never made again.
The greatest challenge our schools face today is not one of multiculturalism or of race, but rather one of acceptance. We can not change our history it is part of what has made this country great we must accept the mistakes those before us have made and revitalize society through education.

Blog Entry #2 "Religion and Rights"

The debate on church and state, and the involvement that our government has played in delineating policy of our public schools has bounced back and forth for years. Upon reading “Religion in Schools Debate Heats Up” and the article regarding Billy Gobitas and the pledge of allegiance, I was reaffirmed in my personal philosophy regarding religion and education.
You would think that with my extensive military background that I would be in favor of the government enforcing students to say the pledge. However that could not be farther from the truth and would defy why most people choose to serve in the military and that is to preserve the rights and beliefs that are country was founded on. To live in a truly free society we can not impose on someone a belief, idea, or opinion and demand compliance. I believe that it was once best summed up under this statement: “Your rights end where other individuals begin”.
Now to twist things around, as to the concept of teaching evolutionism and creationism, I believe this to be an important concept of history and both has a place in schools if they are taught together as concepts and without bias. It is not impossible to teach about creationism without teaching about religion and equally you can teach about evolutionism without denying the theory of creationism.
There needs to be a “wide” line between church and state in public schools. To keep the school systems intact as an institution of learning, then beliefs must be set aside and free thinking must prevail. I would like to think that our judicial system is finally grasping the notion of constitutional rights, but I fear that there are many battles yet to come.

Web Blog Entry #1 "Makers and Innovators"

Education has various influences through multiple sources which mold, shape, and transform schools, teachers, and curriculum into the unique and complicated organism we call the education system. Deborah Meier is an “Innovator” whose influence on the public school system in the heart of East Harlem has spawned a philosophy and method of educating students that has been modeled across the nation. By creating an environment in which there is both student and community involvement Deborah Meier transformed not only the way the schools in New York City operated but also the way the communities viewed public education.
Henry Ford, pioneer of mass vehicle production through the use of assembly line technologies, is viewed by some as a “maker” of education influences. It is not his direct influence on education as much as it is the premise of how his ideas on business transformed society. Henry Ford’s impact has brought about change in the way society viewed education, as the shift moved from education of intelligence toward an education for employment.
The main differences between the makers and the innovators is that the innovators have had a direct impact and are “in the trenches” of the education system. The Makers have had more of a societal impact which has adapted different views on education through changes in civilization. Unfortunately, the impact of the innovators has not had the global impact as that of the makers. If an innovator could completely change societies views on education imagine the possibilities of what education system could become. However, in an economically driven world it remains near impossible to project a change away from education being anything other than a stepping stone to the working world or a societal requirement.

Science, Math and the Moon

It has become a mission to bring the teachings of Aviation and Aerospace into high school classrooms. Aviation education encompasses History, Math, Science, Language Arts, Visual Arts, Business, and Physical Education. It has many unique and inspirational qualities that can promote creativity and sustain an exciting learning environment. There is an abundance of employment opportunities within the field as well as various degree programs for those seeking higher education within the field of Aviation and Aerospace.