How can we expect parents to address a topic considered to be the most fascinating and fantastic machine in existence, with no one understanding all of its many mysteries; and no single source doing justice to its many parts?  Considering this, how can we expect parents to educate their children about the Human Body System? The majority of the population does not know how their bodies work or how to take care of them.  When the curriculum set by our National Science Standards contains little or no reference to our Human Body System, how has this lack of knowledge affected the human race and continues to affect us?

Want to know our Next Generation of Science Standards focus?

“To address the critical issues of U.S. competitiveness and to better prepare the workforce, A Framework for K-12 Science Education proposes a new approach to K-12 science education that will capture students’ interest and provide them with the necessary foundational knowledge in the field.” 

Hmm, am I the only one who believes this field of focus is a little one sided? Let me get this straight. The Next Generation of Science Standards intend on providing our children with a ‘foundation of knowledge’ to assist businesses in being more competitive and to better prepare our children to work for businesses. Is that right?  Yes, I think it’s important for the U.S. to be ‘competitive’ and that we have a ‘prepared workforce’. However, I’m not sure this field should be the ‘foundational knowledge’ of our children. How is ‘U.S. competitiveness’ and a ‘prepared workforce’ more critical than the ‘most fascinating and fantastic machine in existence; where apparently ‘no one understands all of its many mysteries; and no single source can do justice to its many parts’? 

Who the heck is supporting these ‘New Standards’? They are businesses, scientists and educators, and the public.  In order to get the full picture of whose interests these standards are benefiting, you would need to get beyond the names. We know DuPont, Chevron and Eli Lilly. Do these businesses have our children’s best interests in mind? Do we want this Next Generation of Science Standards focus to be  ‘U. S.competitiveness’ and a ‘prepared workforce’? Or something more? I don’t have children. However, the first thing that comes to mind is that I’d like all children to be healthy, unafraid and strong. The Human Body System should not be ‘mysterious’. The Human Body System should not be ‘invisible’ or just a footnote in our curriculum.

It is imperative that our ‘Next Generation of Science Standards’ place equal emphasis on educating our children about The Human Body System; there must be  a single source who can do justice to its many parts. We are deserving of no less! Doing so will enhance and insure a healthy body (and Mind) for every child. 

When I was growing up, talking about my body or anyone’s body was taboo. And now, 65 years later, it’s still pretty much the same story. Why are we so afraid of leaning about how our bodies work? Why do the majority of schools barely allow an ‘intro-level’ about the Human Body System? The human body should be the foundation of our reading, writing and arithmetic! Then, as we grow, we understand our importance. We grow with the knowledge of  how best to maintain our bodies. We grow to have health and skills to better enter the workforce and help our businesses become more competitive. A people who have complete knowledge about their Human Body System is a healthy, strong and happy people. A people who can make better choices to maintain their health is the ultimate key to our nations critical problems!

Happy Educational Trails!