Grades 7, 8, & 9
Students are aged 12 to 15 - life is changing for them.
- Emotional and eager to get moving.
- 7th & 8th Graders don't really think or
plan ahead.
- Like to work in small groups and like
“doing” activities.
- Haven’t had extensive or detailed work in
the science areas.
- Have basic math skills, and are beginning
to get into algebra and geometry.
- Easily bored and have a vulnerable ego.
Tend to be very self-conscious, easily embarrassed.
- 9th Graders are beginning to see the
importance of school and relationship to a career choice.
Grades 10, 11, & 12
Students are aged 15 and older - able to drive, vote, and go to war.
Respect them.
- Mature learners, especially by the 12th
grade.
- Expanding their understanding of ethical
principles but don't yet realize the full impact of their words
and actions.
- Have more experiences to help formulate
questions and can visualize cause and effect presentations.
- Beginning to plan for career choices and
training beyond high school.
- Higher degree of self-confidence. Respond
well in group discussions.
- Can make connections between various
subjects and content areas and life experiences.
- Are able to understand abstract concepts,
but still like hands-on activities.
- There is a vast difference between 10th and
12th grade students in maturity and learning experiences.
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Don't go to a government class to
discuss your community's land use laws or the revision to
federal environmental regulations, unless you've read and
understand them. Because these kids will have read and analyzed
the regulations and the law in preparing for your visit.
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It's okay to go into an AP biology class that has just learned
the ins and outs of Agarose Gel Electrophoresis and discuss the
benefits of slender wheat grass in land reclamation. Not
everything has to be esoteric.
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Careers and Jobs are
the secret to being invited & being successful.
The new national education standards emphasize
jobs after school. This is the area in which you are the expert—the students
know it and so does the teacher. If you want instant attention: tell them how
much money the different skilled jobs pay at your company.
Students are used to minimum wage jobs, because
that's all they've had.
- Tell them about the special skills, training,
and education it takes to get a job like yours, trying to spur them on to more
education and training.
- Relate your job, your company, your industry
to the economy of your community, the state, nation, and the world.
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