Science and High School

A little bonus for those who realized I skipped a blog in February. This was originally posted June 8, 2010, on Facebook Notes. 




Throughout my high school years, I (accidentally) discovered a theory that will change the way you see junior high kids. And, I apologize, my high school class were the test subjects. 

The theory explains the mind boggling stupidity that junior high kids seem to suddenly pick up. See, kids can be quite smart. I have heard numerous times on some of the "slower" kids in high school reflecting on their elementary days when they got honor roll in grade 5 and 6 or best marks in the class. Then, suddenly, its gone, along with almost all common sense. Why?

The problem lies within the skull. When a kid enters into grade 7, a chemical reaction occurs between the brain and the brain stem. It creates a small space between the brain and stem, blocking the transfer of larger chunks of information. Common sense gets stuck in the brain and does not come out in actions and words, and complicated school work gets stuck in the stem and does not get to the brain to be solved. Thats why grade 7 does not add up to the toughness grade 6 teachers make it out to be. Jr high teachers know what happens to kids and give a lighter workload. Some stem-brain separations are more severe than others, while some may only get partially severed. It all depends on the students genetics and environment. 

This is not a permanent condition, though. As the student grows, the space begins to re-heal. Small amounts of information can be soon transfered after the initial reaction. Again, the growth rate is different for every student. Usually, girls mature (re-heal, same thing) faster than guys, usually around grade 10-11. For guys, its around to grade 12- college/year after. Some students never completely re-heal. As I have learned recently, though, most stems do reattach. The effects are seen most noticeably a year after college, as the students have experienced a different environment (which can help or hinder growth). 

Though this is only a theory, it gives a valuable insight into the minds of high schoolers and why they are what they are. I hope I have enlightened, or at the least, entertained you.