Parents and Teachers Play Crucial Roles

Jun 03, 10:53 PM

Current Headlines: By Suzieana Uda Nagu

SCIENCE is in American Arthi Satyanarayan's blood.

Coming from a family of scientists - her father is an engineer, her mother is a botanist and her brother plans to go to medical school-Arthi's interest in science, as she puts it, "has always been brewing".

Although the Hamilton High School senior has always done well in the subject, science did not inspire her.

Hamilton High is a school in the Chandler Unified School district in Phoenix, Arizona, the United States.

All that changed when she took psychology and chemistry classes in school. For the first time in her student life, Satyanarayan - who was a finalist at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) 2007 in Albuquerque, New Mexico - was able to see "the interrelationship between the two seemingly diverse fields of study".

"My teachers have been influential in my interest in science," says Satyanarayan.

Thai Intel ISEF finalists and grand prize winners (Team Projects category) - Natnaree Siriwon, 17, Korawich Niyomsation, 18, and Nathaporn Supokaivanich, 18, from Triam Udom Suksa School in Bangkok - also attribute their interest in science to their dedicated teachers.

Korawich says that teachers at Triam Udom Suksa conduct various activities to support the science curricula.

"Our teachers encourage us to think outside the box and not to be restricted by the content of our textbooks," says Korawich.

Triam Udom Suksa School sets high standards for its students. They are expected to do well in the school exams, says Natnaree.

But as lessons are taught effectively in school, students are less pressured to cram for exams.

"The countless experiments we have had to do since junior high school have enhanced our understanding of science," she says.

Nathaporn, on the other hand, appreciates that his teachers come to class well prepared.

"It makes learning science easier and more enjoyable," he says.

Like Satyanarayan, Nathaphon was exposed to science at an early age.

"When I was small, my parents chose toys that would help enhance my imagination and read to me books about simple science experiments using nature."

Now Nathaporn, who enjoys inventing toys and devices, finds it easier to comprehend scientific concepts.

Parental role is crucial in nurturing the love of science among youths, says Satyanarayan. However, she feels it is equally important for parents to allow their children freedom to discover their own dreams.

"Though being scientists themselves, my parents didn't push me in one direction or the other.

"I ended up finding my love for science on my own. I think this is one of the most important experiences (teens can have) - being able to find something they are passionate about on their own," adds Satyanarayan, who plans to pursue a psychology course at Rice University in Atlanta, Georgia.

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