Almost all teachers are taught to write learning objectives starting with the phrase “Students should be able to…” or some very similar statement. We often think about learning objective in terms of what students will create, explain, or any of the other adjectives featured on blooms taxonomy posters hung in classrooms around the country. While I write my objectives this way I think we often neglect our students affective objectives. “Students will be able to explain how solar energy is used in North Carolina”, this objective describes the end result of a lesson well, but neglects to consider if students care about solar energy in North Carolina. Personally, I can explain how many things that I have absolutely no interest in work. For instance I know how stoplights work at intersections and frankly while I understand their importance I’m not reading a book on stoplights anytime soon.

When you ask students what they want to be when they grow up their interests govern their answers. Love of animals leads to future veterinarians, admiration of local heroes leads to our next generation of firemen and police, etc. We as teachers cannot neglect to build in those affective objectives into our teaching. I’m not suggesting that we should write an objective that “100% of students choose to read a book on early computer development”, but that we build in opportunities for our students to experience what makes our individual subjects fascinating to us as teachers.

Researching the future requires passionate and curious students not just once they reach college but starting as early as possible. When students are considering their future the more fields of study we have exposed them too the better. After working at NC State’s ASSIST center this summer I cannot wait to bring my students into these labs and/or bring ASSIST guest speakers into my classroom. Current research at the ASSIST center is truly futuristic and unique and I want my students to experience it. Who wouldn’t be fascinated with the possibility of powering your cell phone or community by wearing a thermoelectric generator while you play a sport or dance dance revolution? If we as teachers make sure that we are making engaging students passions and curiosity a definite objective in our classroom places like the ASSIST center will no doubt benefit from future generations of passionate students joining their research as well as excited students spreading the word of the amazing research happening.  We as educators must make it a priority to share what makes our fields outstanding with our students if we want the next generation to continue the amazing work happening today.