Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 09/11/2007 - 19:17
Forums
Kuril Islands Biocomplexity

Hi Ms. Nikula,

I was wondering, what do you enjoy about science? Do you like the discoveries, teaching your findings, collecting the data, or other reasons? I didn't finish an Explore Journal but I did keep some notes of some interesting things I learned from your expedition at the Kurils. I think it is great that you are able to go on these expeditions.  I hope the 07-08 school year goes well for you!

Chris Jones

Lynden Christian High School

9th Grade

(Former student of WDA Cool )

Wed, 09/12/2007 - 11:05

Misty Nikula

ChrisI am very glad to hear from you!  Thanks for reading some of the Journals and posting a question.  How is school starting for you?  Are you enjoying Lynden Christian High School?
I think that the thing that I like most about science is that there is always something new to learn AND that you can always be learning about science because it is all around you, all of the time! 
I really do enjoy telling students about science, but more than that, I like when I can guide them to making discoveries and learning answers all by themselves!  There is too much science information for me to teach ALL of it to my students, so I set my goals to teach them the basic principles and to train them to be good, thinking scientists so that they can figure things out and understand it on their own for the rest of their lives.
I hope that I did a good job with you and you are being a scientist in some way every day!
Ms Nikula
 
 

Wed, 09/12/2007 - 19:45

Chris Jones

Hi Ms. Nikula,High school has been a wonderful experience and a big change from WDA! I went from a class of 30 to a class of 100, and more than 400 in the entire high school. I enjoy Lynden Christian and I think it was the right choice for me because at this time in my life I am still on my spiritual journey where I am understanding more about my religion. I am also learning what is different from the worldly view on people (media) and the biblical view of what is right and wrong.
In Science (Health & Physiology) at LC we have started off the year with a short topic on Total Wellness, or Total Health. Having Total Health means you have to balance the "wellness wheel" which includes five parts. Physical, Social, Spiritual, Emotional, and Mental wellness. By letting one aspect of health get un-balanced, you un-balance another part which affects your total health and values, goals, time management, etc. Our next topic is studying the human body. I am sure that will be interesting.
I am very glad that I had you for a science/math teacher for my middle school years because I learned how to think and solve problems independently. I have also become a better Citizen Scientist!  
At Lynden Christian my Gemoetry teacher, Mr. Crosetti, teaches math and science. My question for this post is: Do teachers sometimes teach both science and math  because there is a relation between the two subjects?
Hope to hear from you soon!
Chris Jones~
Lynden Christian
9th Grade

Sun, 10/28/2007 - 05:59

Misty Nikula

ChrisSorry that I have taken so long to get back to you.  The website doesn't tell me when someone has replied to a post, only when there is a new one, so I hadn't noticed your second posting.
Yes, I think that many teachers do end up teaching both math and science because they are fairly related, but also because often the teachers like both subjects.  Additionally, people that have studied a lot of science (including teachers) have to take a lot of math classes at university, so sometimes this means that they are automatically "qualified" to teach math as well as science.
I am glad that you are enjoying Lynden Christian and making a good transition there!  It sounds like a good time and place to be in your life.
Glad to hear from you!Ms Nikula