TEACHER'S CORNER: SCOTT CITY SCIENCE TEACHER STRESSES INVOLVEMENT

SCOTT CITY -- Students in Rick Brown's class don't just study science, they do it.

Brown teaches eighth- and ninth-grade science classes at Scott City High School.

"My goal as a teacher is to have students understand and be able to apply science to everyday life," said Brown. "To do this, I think they have to fully participate, not just memorize facts.

"We try to do science rather than just study science."

Brown designed many hands-on projects to help his students experience the scientific process.

"One the kids have really enjoyed in the past is designing and building a bridge," he said.

Students use the principals and processes they learn in class to build their bridges.

"After building the bridges, we tested them to see which design would hold the most weight," Brown explained. "It was fun to watch the competition that developed between classes."

Brown has been teaching six years, two years in Scott City.

He taught middle school in Florida before moving here two years ago.

"People always ask, `Why would anyone move here from Florida?'" Brown said. "We think it is a great community to live and raise a family."

Teaching eighth- and ninth-grade students can be a challenge, but Brown said the benefits of helping students learn outweigh any negatives.

"I've always been a `Wow,-isn't-that-neat' kind of person," Brown said. "I love learning new things. Teaching gives me the opportunity to continue to learn and share that learning with others."

Working with teenagers keeps that spark alive, he said.

"I really enjoy looking at the world through my students' eyes," Brown said. "Though the age group I teach can be frustrating learning is not their primary focus I find it very challenging. It is exciting to see the light flash on when a student suddenly understands a concept I've been teaching."

In addition to teaching, Brown also serves as National Honor Society sponsor. He is a coach in Cape Youth Soccer League and a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cape Girardeau.

He and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters: Sarah, 10, and Laura, 5.

Brown enjoys playing soccer himself and gardening.