(Pre-Release) Essays from
Science Education and Spiritual Transformation
Thought Provoking Science Lessons
that Use Critical Thinking
to Transform Yourself
that Use Critical Thinking
to Transform Yourself
|
00 Introduction
1a Observation versus Analysis 1b The Quintessential Observer 2a A Teacher's Wonder 2b The Unseen 2c The True Teacher 3a The Nature of STEM 3b Science and Spirituality 4a Honoring Aristotle 4b Entropy 5a Mr. T. and Me 5b The Role of Experimentation 5c Mechanization 5d Reading the Book of Nature 6a Imagine There's No Friction [soon] 7a The World Gym Theory 7b Learn to Return 12a Loss and Redemption 12b Math Phobia 12c Don't Get Lost in the Trees 12d Emerson, Dewey and Pat 12e Grandma Ach |
Table of Contents
Introduction Chapter 1 ... Observation versus Analysis Chapter 2 ... You Are Your Own Best Teacher Chapter 3 ... The Nature of Science Chapter 4 ... Thermodynamics Chapter 5 ... Interrogation versus Observation Chapter 6 ... Friction Chapter 7 ... The Psychological Handling of Spacetime Chapter 8 ... The Relationship Between Fire & Desire Chapter 9 ... Gravity Chapter 10 ... The Scientific Method Chapter 11 ... Carbon Dioxide 5 Ways Chapter 12 ... Naming, Categorizing & Labeling Chapter 13 ... The Woods Are On Fire! Chapter 14 ... The Mathematics of Trees Chapter 15 ... Nature Favors Balances Chapter 16 ... The Scientist-Artist Chapter 17 ... Carbon-Based Life Forms Chapter 18 ... The Physics of Trees Chapter 19 ... The Mathematics and Science of Wonderful Water! Chapter 20 ... The Test of a Real Scientist Conclusion Appendix |
|
From the Back Cover
"If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else.” - Yogi Berra These are thought provoking science lessons that use critical thinking to transform yourself. They are spiritual - which means to me - having a good life. Are you a student of science? What does that mean to you? Does it mean that you want to know the rules of science so that you can work in that field? What about your purpose in life? Do you consider yourself to be a whole person with the desire to develop your character in addition to learning science? This book may be for you if your learning path is full of living questions and the stuff of wonder. Do you feel like every fact that is thrown at you is allowed to be challenged, overthrown, or updated? If you feel that you live in a space where there could be a knocking at the door at any moment and new ideas and new versions of yourself might come walking in ... then join me in these creative lessons and essays. Science education is like making friends; you form relationships with whatever you study. And just like a relationship with a good friend, it can be spiritually transformative. What is a spiritual relationship? It is one that is more about giving than receiving - where you truly care about someone or something - one that transforms into genuine friendship with the world around you, with nature. This book contains 20 of my favorite lessons from over 50 years of teaching, where I felt successful in reaching all manner of students. In each, we tried to listen to a spiritual message from nature that we could apply to our own lives. In the 70s, I taught in a Waldorf school. In the 80s and 90s, I consulted on adult education in the corporate world to Fortune 500 companies. Then, I taught in a high school that had students who were largely emotionally disturbed. Following these wonderful experiences, I taught in a men’s, then women’s prison. I have taught in different parts of the world from Shanghai to Peewaukie - from New York City to San Francisco. I have been pairing science with spirituality before the mainstream was ready to entertain it. But, what about now? It seems to me that humankind has a chance right now to make a significant transformation. Just think of the possibilities if we could extend our passion for relationship with friends to all of the beings of nature? What if we pursued science with the intense, heart-felt intangibles that we feel for our loved ones? ************ |
