Reader comments
Utah needs better bioscience education, outreach director says

Every time Winters and her cohorts open their mouths they want better "workers". How nice, little Tommy and Suzy are going to be good workers. How about we quit training these poor kids for low paying, low satisfaction jobs and focus on giving them a well rounded BASIC education (including science) so they can follow their own creative desires and dreams. The further we get away from solid fundamentals the worse it gets and the low end of the pay scale will be hurt the most. Can't we get anyone better to guide our USTAR program? If not, just put that money into basic education.

And, did anyone else pick up the irony in the story involving Granite School District? Does it really make sense to have a school district with one of the lowest overall achievement levels in the state be in charge of something like this? This program is a waste of money. Close it down.

Apparently we need to teach better reading comprehension, if "Here we go again!" and "I agree" are any indication.

First, the article states Utah is above average.

Second, Winters and USTAR are actively engaged in working to make things better:

"Winters is heading up a collaborative project, called the BioInnovations Gateway, with the Granite School District's Technical Institute and Salt Lake Community College that is expected to be launched this summer. "

Third, "I agree," if Granite is lowest, isn't it a GOOD thing to be working on improvement with them?

Fourth, the article says that Utah's efforts were highlighted as exemplary:

"Several of the best practices and programs throughout the nation are highlighted in the report, including mention of Utah science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers' opportunities for professional development, extended student learning, course development or other activities. Other Utah programs include the Genetic Science Learning Center at the University of Utah, SLCC's InnovaBio the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement program."

Finally, the emphasis on the article, if not the headline, is "We're doing better than average, but that isn't good enough. We want to be better, event the best."

Biology education isn't valued in our state.

Just look at the bill passed by our legislature regarding merit pay for science teachers. It includes just about every type of science teacher EXCEPT Biology.

It doesn't include every type. It includes only a select few, and only under certain conditions. It is rare to actually be a science teacher that would qualify.

"Reading comprehension is down" should avoid throwing stones while living in a glass house. "Here we go again" was pointing out that biotech positions are low paying jobs. Students who pursue science related degrees take classes that are more difficult than most and they have time consuming labs to boot. The industry needs to find ways to pay their employees a decent wage. If you look at enrollment in the Biotech Program at SLCC you'll find it's much lower than for health science degrees which pay significantly even though students are wait-listed for several years before being admitted to a program.