High School Science Battles To Be Cool

As schools nationwide focus more and more on English and math to keep up with No Child Left Behind guidelines, science teachers are trying harder than ever to make bunsen burners and cell division cool -- without much funding.

CNN reports that some teachers are overcoming the odds with innovation and teaching their students that science is hip and relevant.

Jennifer Judkins of Wilimington, Mass. stops at nothing to incorporate fun into her eighth-grade science class.

Her secret weapon: Rockets.

She told CNN:

"It's a great activity for our laws-of-motion study...Just hearing the students talk among themselves about which rocket will go higher, seeing that learning happening right in front of you, is impactful."

At Torrey Pines High School in Encinitas, Calif., one student is leading the charge to make science hip. Senior Alice Fang started a bi-annual scientific research journal, Falconium, her sophomore year, and now the publication boasts a staff of 90 student writers and editors.

Fang told the Voice of San Diego:

"Science and math are not always the most popular subjects, but having excitement around Falconium gets other students interested...When people see their peers are excited about science, then they want to explore the subject more."

Students and teachers are beginning to get the support they need, thanks to the help of President Obama. In November 2009, the Obama administration launched "Educate to Innovate," a campaign aimed to increase literacy in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among students nationwide. The administration, partnered with leading companies like Xerox and Kodak, has raised more than $260 million to support the science-geared curriculum.

Read more about science's image in schools today at CNN.