Science Blunders

Fluorescent lights bounce off the black lab tables. In a back corner of the room, a group of students enjoy a game of cards. In another corner, several students are having an animated conversation. Throughout the room, heads are down and eyelids are closed. All the while the teacher drones on, never deviating from his sacred routine.
When I look back at my high school science education, I can only think about how badly it prepared me to face the rigors of science classes in college. Like most people, I took basic classes in biology, chemistry, and physics. These classes were not challenging; earning an "A" was synonymous with regular class attendance. Content was at an appropriate level, but quizzes and tests were designed to boost the passing rate. Although my experiences in these classes were far from positive, I developed enough of an intrinsic interest to realize that a career in science was a real possibility.
The teachers in my three science classes varied as much as ...