Reply to Middle School Magnet Math

Forum Index » Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)

Reply to "Middle School Magnet Math"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]This is very close to the SMAC.  As freshmen they have the "chem research and experimentation project" as sophomores a couple of self designed projects, more as juniors and of course the research experience between junior and senior year.

Every one of these projects cover the complete process from idea generation to proposal writing to long written and presented versions of the final results.  By adding AP courses in English, foreign language and history it can be a well rounded experience.

This is why the above poster says SMAC is the place for the top kids.

The thing is the most capable students in the RMIB can carve out a similar experience by loading up on the math and science AND aiming their extended essay in a math/science direction.  In addition, the RM robotics team while not as deep as Blair, has lots of potential for the right kids.  This doesn't happen as much as it could or as much as it happens at Blair.  Why?

From what I can tell, it happens less because the culture of the RMIB is much more focused on theater and truly high level humanities.  This may start to change as the amazing theater teacher retired last year.

Frankly, in both programs the top kids are more motivated to become pointy rather than become rounded.

"It is so weird that schools cannot provide problem-solving-oriented and project-based instruction on ALL subjects.

Perhaps with different levels of challenge, so that students could pick a challenging course, say, in math and latin, and a slightly easier one in physics and literature, according to their interests.

The notion that STEM and Humanities need to be separated has been debunked decades ago. There are so many that excel in both, since the best students are the creative/critical thinking ones, and those are skills needed for all subjects.

Having challenging courses shouldn't mean a ton of homework either!

Getting off soapbox now.

- scientist, who knows we need problem-solvers instead of formula-appliers."[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics