A Summer of Learning
It sounds like a teacher’s dream, doesn’t it, to have a student who is willing to spend his or her summer studying and learning. No, this does not refer to those taking summer classes because they failed a class or two in science and math. It targets those who are serious about enhancing their knowledge and improving their academic skills.
Below are some meaningful summer activities for them to learn from:
Going nationalistic.
The Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy, with the University of Asia and the Pacific, launched Project Citizen last year to showcase high school student presentations designed to train democratic citizenship.
From the 21 high schools participating in 2007, five school representatives fromPasig City Science High School, Rizal High School, Navotas High School, Parada National High School, and Bagong Silangan High School, presented their policy proposals. Some tackled smoking among minors, “drugby” abuse, and peace and order in the streets.
Events like this and the US Embassy-sponsored Democracy Summer Fest can be good learning experiences about one’s sense of being Filipino and how we can all help each other.
Delving into research.
Just last February, ten Philippine high school students were selected to represent the country in the Intel Annual Science and Engineering Fair in Atlanta, Georgia. One team won for their research project on the mechanical prototype of a “micro tremor” recorder, while the other won for their comparative study of mangrove trees in the province.
In the US, universities and high schools are giving high school students scientific research opportunities that stimulate thinking and analytical skills over the summer break. An example would be the Project Seed Program that is geared towards economically disadvantaged students. They get to experience being a chemical scientist, work with scientist-mentors, and discover possible career paths that were previously unavailable to them.
Try to look at similar campaigns here in the Philippines, especially from Science High Schools. Or better yet, spearhead one in your school.
Starting an interest group.
Have your students actively participate in organizations, clubs where they share similar passion or interest – from simple exchange of book reviews to complex political discussions. Such discourses can even result in related programs and activities like writing or debate contest.
Other things to add on the summer checklist:
- Read books on a prepared summer reading list.
- Plan for the next school year.
- Attend college presentations, and be on the lookout for an ideal college to apply for.
Heading out.
For those students who are interested in study programs abroad or to simply find out what kind of opportunities await them out there, check out the following websites:
- Academic Treks has three-week summer programs focusing on marine and environmental science.
- High School Programs Abroad is an index of thousands of abroad programs for high school students, searchable by country, focus, duration and language.
- Knowledge Exchange Institution (KEI) offers high school student internships specializing in business and law, public health care, among others.
- The Learning Traveler hosts month-long language immersion programs in campuses in France, Spain, Italy, Costa Rica and Germany.
- Andeo International Homestays gives high school students two to four-week immersion programs in France, Spain, Costa Rica and Japan with language classes, local homestays and full-day excursions.
There is so much more available to the mind seeking for knowledge. Make this summer a time of good learning both for you and your beloved students.
Sources:
Casiraya, Lawrence.“Intel picks science and engineering fair winners: Winners to represent RP in int'l contest.” Retrieved March 27, 2008 from
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/infotech/view_article.php?article_id=119686
“Project Citizen 2007.” Retrieved March 27, 2008 from http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2007/12/09/SCAU20071209110784.html
“Project SEED.” Retrieved March 27, 2008 from
http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_TRANSITIONMAIN&node_id=1588&use_sec=false&sec_url_var=region1
“Stay on track.” Retrieved March 27, 2008 from
http://www.aie.org/AIEmail/Issues/20080310/index.cfm#stayontrack
“Summer abroad programs for High School Students.” Retrieved March 27, 2008 from
http://www.whatkidscando.org/resources/spec_summer.html#offthe
(Published 08 April 2008, Smart Schools Program)
