This story perfectly illustrates the problem that I have with the Nancy Johnson school of scientism. Full story here.
A San Diego school vice-principal saw an 11-year-old’s home science project (a motion detector made out of an empty Gatorade bottle and some electronics), decided it was a bomb, wet himself, put the school on lockdown, had the bomb-squad come out to destroy X-ray the student’s invention and search his parents’ home, and then magnanimously decided not to discipline the kid (though he did recommend that the child and his parents get counseling to help them overcome their anti-social science behavior).
Science!
When police and the Metro Arson Strike Team responded, they also found electrical components in the student’s backpack, Luque said. After talking to the student, it was decided about 1 p.m. to evacuate the school as a precaution while the item was examined. Students were escorted to a nearby playing field, and parents were called and told they could come pick up their children.
OMG. A kid actually knows how to (GASP!!!!) use his knowledge of science to construct something, and the candy-assed vice principal calls the bomb squad!
The school, which has about 440 students in grades 6 to 8 and emphasizes technology skills, was initially put on lockdown while authorities responded.
[…]
Both the student and his parents were “very cooperative” with authorities, Luque said. He said fire officials also went to the student’s home and checked the garage to make sure items there were neither harmful nor explosive.
So what’s up with this?
The student will not be prosecuted, but authorities were recommending that he and his parents get counseling, the spokesman said. The student violated school policies, but there was no criminal intent, Luque said.
Well, Jeebers. Knowing photons from futons, and actually knowing how to do something is against school policy. Science is supposed to be sitting there and reciting the catechism of how the polar bears are drowning. Understanding and thinking are forbidden.
Could you imagine what would happen if a kid brought a spud gun to school? Go ahead and keep telling yourselves that we’re #1, and we can and should play these PC footsy games while the Asians eat our lunches. We’re not #1 in science and tech, not even close. And these idiots are the reason why. How can we be producing first-rate scientists and engineers when the people teaching at our “technology” schools can’t even tell a motion detector from a bomb?
This is also an open thread.
Tags: Education
