Students used to be taught shop classes, in which they learned skills like woodworking. Nowadays, most schools have given up shop class in favor of academic subjects. However, the National Science Foundation STEM Guitar Project thinks that academic subjects and carpentry (木匠活) can be combined. This organization aims to get students excited about science, math, and arts all at once, by teaching students how to make a guitar.
Experts forecast that technical skills like this one could be in great demand in the future. Unfortunately, many high schools don’t offer students access to mechanical design skills, due to the fact that they are not on the list of standardized subjects and the schools can’t scientifically assess students’ performance. But, is STEM really needed in order to build a guitar? Actually, it’s impossible to make a guitar without knowing science and math.
Joshua Cruz, a design teacher, said that building a guitar also teaches troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. He thinks the STEM Guitar Project provides opportunities to challenge students to apply their own creativity to STEM problems. “I’m still figuring out how we can apply it,” Cruz explained. “I think we’re going to use a lot of the same theories behind how strings and stringed instruments work and try and get them to make stringed instruments of their own, and thus improve their academic performance.”
Because of its effectiveness and creativity, the guitar initiative (倡议) was offered the Gerhard Salinger award, which recognizes outstanding STEM school programs. “Through this project, we have become part of this community of businessmen, engineers and artisans,” said Mark French, one of the six people who received the award for his work with STEM guitar. “It’s a great group and I’m pleased to be part of it. I get to combine something I love doing with an activity that really makes the world a little bit better place. It really does help people.”
Thanks to people like Mark French, and to the STEM Guitar Project, the world is a little bit of a better, more educated, and more musical place.
32. Why are mechanical design skills unavailable to high school students?
A.Students are not excited about these skills. |
B.Students’ performance can’t be properly evaluated. |
C.They are not necessary for the students’ growth. |
D.They are of no help to students’ academic performance. |
33. What benefit can students get from building a guitar?
A.The ability to find faults with others. |
B.The skills of making a guitar independently. |
C.The opportunity to challenge scientific theories. |
D.The improvement of creativity and learning ability. |
34. What is Mark French’s attitude towards the STEM Guitar Project?
A.Critical | B.Indifferent | C.Positive | D.Doubtful |
35. What is the text mainly about?
A.The combination of skills in a project |
B.The award for the STEM Guitar Project |
C.The STEM Guitar Project promotes Music |
D.The STEM Guitar Project benefits students |