The Science Complex and Glencoe Chemistry Student Center

The Science Complex and Glencoe Chemistry Student CenterTo a Glencoe Chemistry student, the Hall of Science should be an integral part of their experience. The Science Complex has been a staple of the Glencoe community for almost a century. The Hall is an important part of the chemistry and science community because it is one of the most well-known local attractions in Glencoe. The Science Complex offers a wide variety of activities to both children and adults and, at night, the hall becomes a beautiful environment that also provides more than just learning opportunities.Those of us who live in Glencoe recognize the true value of science in our daily lives. We enjoy watching students around the globe to debate everything from the definition of salt to the origins of life. Kids love to engage in science fair projects, and when they learn that science provides them with a variety of exciting ways to do so, they are eager to learn more. The Science Complex also provides science clubs fo r both children and adults to take part in.Our child participation in school clubs and a Glencoe Chemistry student center are the two great ways that we encourage children to become involved in their community. From sponsoring events to providing tutoring to older students, science and education have been a staple in Glencoe's life for more than a century. While the Hall of Science provides activities for all ages, the Child Science Club brings together children of all ages to work on projects related to science.A Glencoe Chemistry student center also provides a place for children to interact with each other, as well as with science professionals who are at the Science Complex all day. The Science Complex has an amazing amount of expertise and experience in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. During science fair projects, children are challenged to use their knowledge to solve puzzles and work with other children to solve problems.Often, after science fai r projects are completed, the children who had participated find themselves challenged to come up with another project that uses their knowledge to solve a problem that they may not have thought of before. This is not only a rewarding experience for children, but it also gives those who study science an opportunity to see firsthand how science and technology are used to solve problems.Not only does the Science Complex provide opportunities for children to develop their creativity and thinking, but it also provides them with an interactive learning environment where they can learn a new language and a new perspective on the world. An interactive learning environment is a wonderful addition to any classroom, but is especially important when it comes to educating children about science. It allows children to work together, develop problem solving skills, and discuss all things scientific.Those of us in Glencoe know that science and math are important in every facet of our lives. The sc ience and math programs at the Glencoe Chemistry student center are quite different from those found at our public schools. One benefit of being able to study at a Glencoe Chemistry student center is that it provides for students the best learning experience possible. Students who join these programs have the opportunity to get to know their teachers and learn about our community and the place that science holds in our daily lives.

Sum of Normal Distributions

Sum of Normal Distributions A normal distribution is a probability distribution which can be clearly represented using a bell curve. A standard normal distribution is also a normal distribution, however the mean of such a distribution is 0 and the standard deviation is 1. A bell curve, also known as the normal distribution curve is a graph which depends on factors such as the mean and the standard deviation of set of real numbers. The z-score value of normal distribution is given by a formula which depends on the mean standard deviation and the normal random x value. Example 1: For a set of random variables, given the normal random variable to be equal to 15. If the mean of the given set is 5 and the standard deviation is 2, then what is the standard score or the z-score? Given, x = normal random variable = 15 Mean, = 5 Standard deviation, = 2 The z-score = (x )/ This implies, z-score = (15 5)/ 2 = 10/2 = 5. Therefore, the standard z-score is 5. Example 2: For a set of random variables, given the normal random variable to be equal to 24. If the mean of the given set is 18 and the standard deviation is 3, then what is the standard score or the z-score? Given, x = normal random variable = 24 Mean, = 18 Standard deviation, = 3 The z-score = (x )/ This implies, z-score = (24 18)/ 3 = 6/3 = 2. Therefore, the standard z-score is 2.

Violin or Cello Which Instrument Is Right For You

Violin or Cello Which Instrument Is Right For You Sign up successful Because the instrument has been popular now for around 400 years, there isn’t a shortage of repertoire to keep both budding and experienced violinists challenged. Within orchestras, spaces for violinists also tend to be the most numerous, so in that sense violinists have an advantage (especially over winds, brass, and percussion). Compared to other string sections however, violin can also be more competitive because so many people play it. It might not be too difficult to earn a spot in the second violin section, but earning a place among the upper ranks can be more difficult. Pros and Cons of the Cello The cello is often cited for its practical disadvantages â€" mainly its size and expense. But for students who enjoy the sound of the cello more, hauling around a larger and more expensive instrument is well worth the care and effort. The cello’s low register and tonality resonates with many musicians far more than the violins higher register. Both the violin and cello have a unique range and repertoire that tend to draw different people. While violin repertoire is probably more extensive, the cello also has a well-established and diverse repertoire, including significant solo works. Fewer students study the cello than the violin, so cellists are usually in higher demand than violinists. This tends to hold true even when taking into account the typically lower number of cellists required to create an orchestra or chamber ensemble. Which is Harder to Play: Violin or Cello? Many students wonder, which instrument is more difficult: the violin or cello? People who have tried both instruments tend to say the cello is less difficult due to its more natural position. The position of the violin can feel awkward at first, however advanced violinists insist that it becomes natural over time. Many experienced musicians say that both instruments have their own difficulties. For example, although a cellist’s playing position is easier to learn, the thumb position on the cello is difficult for many students. Advanced cellists also must learn three clefs instead of just one. SEE ALSO: How Easy is it to Switch Instruments? [Infographic] Making the Choice Between Violin or Cello Music students and their families can do a number of things to help them in their decision between the violin or cello. First, consider what opportunities are available at school or in the community. Keep long term goals in mind. Make sure the student has exposure to both instruments. This can include videos, CDs, or local concerts. Local colleges and conservatories often perform concerts for the general public and many of these feature the violin and cello. Local symphonies also put on free concerts in the park. To be sure you’re making the right choice, it’s always a good idea to sample each instrument and take a couple lessons. Check out this directory of violin teachers, and this directory of cello teachers. Lessons are available both in-person and online all over the country. Above all, the student should love the sound of whichever instrument they choose, whether it’s the higher and more cheerful violin or the deeper and rich cello. What are your thoughts on whether the violin or cello is a better instrument? Let us know in the comments below! .TeacherBox { border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 20px; padding-left: 0; margin-bottom: 20px; white-space: nowrap; } .TeacherBox > div { display: inline-block; vertical-align: top; white-space: normal; } .TeacherBox > Post Author:  Carol Beth L. Carol Beth L. teaches  viola  and violin  in Sacramento, CA. She currently plays viola in the Rancho Cordova Civic Light Orchestra and has been teaching students since 2012. Learn more about Carol Beth here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

What is it Like to Attend The University of Kansas

What is it Like to Attend The University of Kansas The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Stephen is a New York City tutor specializing in College Essays tutoring, Writing tutoring, AP English tutoring, and more. He graduated from The University of Kansas in 2006 with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. Check out what he had to say about his undergraduate experience: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options.How urban or safe is the campus?Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Stephen: The University of Kansas (KU)is in the center of Lawrence, a town of about 100,000 people. The campus is really beautiful and spread out across Mount Oread. Flowering trees dot campus, and walking across campus while petals flutter to the ground always filled me with a sense of joy, even when walking to my dreaded biology lab. KU has a bus system that transports students across campus, and it links up with Lawrences bus system. A car or bike is nice, as there are no grocery stores nearby. However, I didnt have a car for the first year I was at KU, and I had no problem. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Stephen: I had a very close relationship with my advisors in both the Sociology and English Departments.I also pursued relationships with them. I had lots of friends who had difficulty finding their niches at KU. If a student was passive during their educational process at KU, then it was very easy for them to get lost. I think that if a student desires strong mentoring from their professors, advisors, and TAs, KU might not be the best choice for them. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Stephen: There are eight residence halls, as well as Scholarship Halls. The halls are very diverse in what they offer. Some are classic dormitory style, while others have suites with private bathrooms. Also, there is apartment style living for upperclassmen. All the dorms are on the edge of campus, but there are buses that transport everyone onto campus. Its not required that students live in student housing. For food, there are three different cafeterias, as well as sack lunches. All of the food is serviceable. I found dorm life really rewarding, as it pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed me to be exposed to a lot that I might not have otherwise encountered. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Stephen: I studied Sociology and Playwriting. I have always been interested in why people do what they do, and looking at their actions from a macro-level perspective fascinates me. Also, I knew I wanted to write, so Sociology and Playwriting seemed like a natural fit for me. I felt like the university did a good job of giving space and funding to both of my programs. I never had any complaints about either one. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Stephen: I spent my first two years living in Hashinger, a dormitory that specializes in the arts. I found it really easy to meet people, as everyones doors were very open and RAs encouraged interaction among peers. At Hashinger, I met friends on my floor with whom I am still very close. KU does have a very active Greek life, and if someone wants to participate, they can. However, there are lots of options, both on and off campus, to meet people. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Stephen: There are study spaces in all the dormitories. The Memorial Unions and the libraries have tons of study rooms and individual cubicles. I never had any problem finding a place to set up shop and work. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Stephen: Downtown Lawrence is about two miles away from campus, and its got a really vibrant music scene. Lawrence is geographically situated so lots of touring bands come. Students go downtown all the time, as there are tons of restaurants, bars, and shopping that cater to both students and locals. Also, Lawrence has a great farmers market on the weekend and public parks that frequently host events. There are frequent parades, late-night movie screenings, and coffee shops galore. Lawrence is an interesting intersection of collegiate liberalness and surrounding conservatism, so theres a really interesting mix of people and social scenes. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Stephen: There about 20,000 undergraduates at KU. The lower level general classes can be huge. My Psychology 101 class had 1,000 students. But once I settled into my major classes, they were relatively small, with only about 16 people in them. I even had classes as small as eight people. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Stephen: One of the coolest experiences I ever had during my undergraduate career was when a one-act play I wrote was given a staged reading at Lawrences performing arts center. This was because Professor Paul Lim had created his own theatre company to produce the works of students. It was the only English department with its own theatre company in the nation. Professor Lim exposed me to so much art I would have otherwise never sought out myself, and Im forever indebted to him. Check out Stephens tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Italian Food Around the World

Italian Food Around the World The Influence of Italian Cooking around the World ChaptersItalian Cuisine in North AmericaItalian Cuisine in South AmericaItalian Cuisine in EuropeWhy Is Italian Food so Universal?There are few types of food as universally popular as Italian food.Which other cuisine can boast pizza, pasta, ice cream, and many health benefits?In fact, thanks to its simplicity, Mediterranean flavours, and popularity, Italian food firmly established itself as a global cuisine.It’s estimated that 14 billion plates of pasta (including fusili, penne, spaghetti, and ravioli) are consumed every year around the world.Other countries have been familiar with spaghetti for years. (Source: Nile)Pasta carbonara is thought to be the most commonly cooked dish on the planet. A lot of Italians are probably annoyed by the use of cream in the recipe, though. The original recipe just calls for pasta, bacon or pancetta, parmesan, and eggs.While pasta can be found almost anywhere in the world, bruschetta, Italian cheeses (parmesan, pecorino, ricotta, etc.), and curied m eats like Parma ham and pancetta, are also popular in many places.Waves of Italian immigrants have also helped spread Italian culinary tradition all over the world.Over the course of this article, Superprof will be taking your taste buds on a journey from Italy to all the places where Italian cooking ended up and how it ended up changing in its new homes.Here, you'll see there's more to the cuisine than just pizza and pasta.Let’s go! GiovanniCooking Teacher 4.83 (12) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HalimaCooking Teacher £12/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors HakimCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors VincenzoCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors GinellaCooking Teacher £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ArronCooking Teacher 5.00 (2) £9/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JoshuaCooking Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors FlickCooking Teacher 5.00 (1) £50/h1 st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsItalian Cuisine in North AmericaBoth the United States and Canada are fine examples of Italian influence. Just take New York’s Little Italy, for example.This lively neighbourhood is as unmissable in the Big Apple as the Statue of Liberty!  â€œLittle Italy” is the name of the neighbourhood where most Italian immigrants can be found following two major periods of immigration:Between 1860 and 1930 when many Italians left their country to head to America.European emigration starting in the 1950s.For health, economic, and social reasons, Italians left Italy looking for a better life.  Fortunately for many, they brought gnocchi, focaccia, Parma ham, and authentic Italian style cooking with them, giving rise to these famous neighbourhoods.While the neighbourhood in Manhattan is no longer home to only Italians, but rather Italian Americans and other nationalities, you can still find plenty of Italian American restaurants and businesses offering fres h pasta and other dishes just like they would in Italy.The best cooking classes on Superprof.Italian food has been in the United States of America for many years. (Source: RitaE)You can get pesto (a sauce made from pine nuts and basil), mascarpone, gorgonzola, and other ingredients to make Italian dishes at home from Italian delis.The Feast of San Gennaro is still celebrated in the Italian neighbourhood. This street festival, which lasts 11 days, pays homage to Italian food and traditions.  You can even take part in a pasta-eating contest!Other Italian neighbourhoods of note in the US and Canada include:The Hill in Saint Louis, where you can find plenty of Italian restaurants and delis.Little Italy in Cleveland, which has Italian art galleries as well as traditional Italian trattorias.Federal Hill in Providence, home to many pizzerias and Italian ice cream parlours.Petite Italie in Montréal, with plenty of Italian cafés and trattorias.Little Italy in Toronto, a small neighbourhood that lives and breathes its Italian heritage.The food and restaurants in North America have been greatly influenced by Italian food. There’s no lack of pizza, pasta, or risotto.Italian Cuisine in South AmericaIn Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, you can find the largest group of Italian descendants in the world.In fact, Argentinian food was largely influenced by Italy: pizza and pasta can be found on the menu at most classic Argentine restaurants.Veal Milanese, an Italian recipe where the veal is breaded with parmesan, flour, and breadcrumbs, has become a typical Argentine dish.Parmesan is an essential ingredient in veal Milanese, even in Argentina. (Source: Icb)On the 29th of each month, Argentines eat gnocchi.  This is because it's just before payday and many Argentine families would only have the ingredients for gnocchi in their cupboards. Polenta is also regularly cooked by families in Argentina.  Unlike in North America, there’s no Little Italy in Buenos Aires but ra ther an Italian influence that can be found all over the town. In fact, during the largest waves of Italian immigration, nearly half the population (45%) of Buenos Aires was Italian and nearly two thirds (63%) of Argentines are descended from Italians.The Italian influence isn’t as strong in other South American countries. That said, you can still find the veal Milanese on menus in Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.While they might add a tomato sauce, the basic ingredients are all there.Italian Cuisine in EuropeAccording to a Tripadvisor survey, Italian food is the most popular in Europe. Italian food is most common in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Germany.This can be explained by the presence of Italian immigrants in these countries during the 20th century. Whether you’re in London, Paris, Brussels, or Berlin, you can easily:Eat in an Italian restaurant or trattoriaBuy Italian products in Italian delisGet Italian cooking classes from Italian chefsOpening the borders across Eu rope has allowed for Italians to move about more easily, bringing their cooking traditions with them.You can now enjoy squid ink risotto without having to travel all the way to Venice. (Source: Gellinger)The number of restaurants offering the antipasti, primi piatti, secondi piatti formula is increasing.In Italy, there are two main courses! Don’t forget there’s also limoncello for afterwards. An “aperitivo” isn’t all. The Venetian “Spritz” cocktail was everywhere during the summer of 2016.When it comes to alcohol, the Italians have prosecco, the sparkling white wine similar to champagne.Did you know that Italy is one of the world’s biggest wine producers?While Italian restaurants around the world didn’t always follow their culinary tradition to the letter, in recent years, this has started becoming the case again.More and more Italian chefs are promoting traditional Italian recipes straight from Italy. Spaghetti bolognese is no longer just pasta with tomato sauce, but rather with minced beef or meatballs as it should be. Delicious!There are plenty of Italian chefs who’ve moved to the UK and are showing us Brits exactly how their food should be. Try a genuine Italian pizza and taste the difference!Why Is Italian Food so Universal?Italian food is often thought of as being the most popular in the world.  You don’t need to look very hard to understand why. Just ask your taste buds.Simple and natural ingredients are used and there's a culture of eating homemade food. Olive oil, cheese, and charcuterie (cured meats like Parma ham and prosciutto) is used for both starters and mains and are both delicious and easy to cook.Basil, garlic, cherry tomatoes, capers, and mushrooms are also used in Italian recipes from traditional pasta dishes to the Neapolitan pizza.  Italian food is also famous for how healthy it is.There are plenty of products with protected designations of origin in Italy: Balsamic vinegar from Modena, Sicilian blood orange, cheeses like Gorgonzola, Gran Padano, and, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, and meats like Mortadella and Pancetta. This means that if these products aren't from Italy, they're not the real deal!There’s a stark difference between a generic mozzarella and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, isn’t there?The best type of mozzarella is mozzarella di bufala. (Source: Congerdesign)More proof that Italian food is popular around the world is the Italian cuisine week that took place across 105 different countries during its first year in 2016. There were gatherings in the UK, US, France, and many other countries celebrating Italian food.Its goals were to:Spread the traditions of Italian cuisinePromote Italian cooking methodsPromote collaboration between Italy and other countriesAmbassadors, Italian chefs abroad, and even school pupils worked towards spreading Italian culture to everyone.Given that an Italian-food-themed park opened in 2017, it doesn’t look like Italian food’s popularity is going to dwindle any time soon.  With restaurants, delis, and vendors, you can discover how Italian products are made and, more importantly, try them!If you want to eat traditional Italian dishes, try a selection of cheese, or try out some wine tasting, this place is like Disney World for foodies and those who don't like roller coasters.If you can't make your way to Bologna, whether you fancy a lasagna, seafood, or a vegetarian option (roasted stuffed vegetables, for example), there's something on an Italian menu for everyone!Once you've finished your meal, why not try a tiramisu or panna cotta? Italian desserts are outrageously good!While Italian restaurants are great, Italian food is best served at home and you should try cooking it for yourself. If you can't cook, you can always get Italian cooking tutorials from a private tutor.See 20 great Italian recipes. Learn more about Italian Food around Italy.

Taking Your Tutorials Outside

Taking Your Tutorials Outside Where Can You Teach Outside the Home? ChaptersPrivate Tutorials: Why Teach Outside?Different Places to Teach Private TutorialsThe Advantages and Disadvantages of Teaching Outside“Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.” - Dalai Lama XIVPrivate tutors are the new way to learn. In fact, private tutors have been gaining in popularity over recent years. The market’s estimated at around £2 billion and 40% of children in London have already taken a private tutorial.Whether it’s IT for secondary schoolers, exam prep for GCSE and A Level, or group physics or chemistry tutorials, almost every subject can be taught at either the student’s or the tutor’s home. However, sometimes the home’s not a suitable place to be taught in.That said, there are other options. You could teach your private tutorials elsewhere. If you find a place that works for you and your student, you could easily teach them in public places, such as the library.While we often call it home tuition or home tutoring, there's nothing stopping a private tutor from taking their one on one tutoring services to a public place. After all, when a student decides to find a tutor, it's so that they can get one to one instruction from a qualified, experienced, and gifted educator, not just so they can chat to someone at home or see the inside of a stranger's flat.Private tutoring is about giving students the confidence and study skills in a one on one environment to improve in a given subject so that when they find themselves in a small group or large class, they can apply the academic coaching they received in order to perform better academically.Whether they're helping a student with their biology homework, preparing for their mathematics algebra exams, or helping them get their heads around calculus, the best tutors will have carefully planned their tutorials to ensure that everything, including where the lesson takes place, works for the student.If there’s one place for learning languages or doing private tutorial s, it’s obviously the home. Sitting on your own sofa in the warmth can make both the teacher and the student feel relaxed and is conducive to conversation.The teaching environment is just as important as the teaching approaches and resources you use. (Source: PourquoiPas)However, as we saw before, you can’t always have your private tutorials take place in the home and you’ll need to find somewhere else for you and your student. You may feel a bit lost with so much choice or worried that you won't be able to find somewhere to calmly study concepts.The following are good places to teach private tutorials:A cafeA libraryAn empty classroom in a school or universityA parkA field or picnic area, especially if you live in the countryCoworking spacesAnd many othersOf course, this isn’t an exhaustive list of the places you can teach private tutorials but it should give you a few ideas and show you that it’s not the end of the world if you can’t have your tutorials in the house. T he most important thing is to be able to transfer knowledge to the student and build a good relationship with them.The Advantages and Disadvantages of Teaching OutsideTeaching outside isn’t impossible. However, it’s not a decision you can take lightly as there are a number of things you’ll have to consider. It’s not all fun and games taking your private tutorials out of the house, but there are a number of pros and cons to doing it.A good private tutor will use all the resources they have at their disposal. (Source: Pexels)The AdvantagesBy taking your lessons out of the house, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’re free from any of the regular distractions you have at your  homes such as your roommate or pet. Additionally, you won’t be distracted by things you have lying around the house such as personal effects and ornaments.Academic support outside of the home is also useful for those that need help concentrating in different environments.The DisadvantagesTeachi ng classes outside of the home also has its disadvantages and things that stop us from teaching. One of the biggest disadvantages is that you can’t shut yourself off from the outside world when you’re in a public place, which can distract students and make things harder to learn. That said, a teacher and a student mightn’t work more effectively in calm environments.Whether it’s intensive classes, a one-off tutorial, or even maths tutorials, you need to make sure you don’t lose your patience due to outside distractions that you can’t control. At home, you know exactly what will and won't come in the way of your teaching and that you'll have a better idea of distractions and how to control. Outside of the home, tutorials can be affected by the opening hours of public places or the weather.Similarly, music and singing tutorials or chemistry and physics lessons aren’t the easiest things to teach safely outside. You need to decide upon the method that makes your tutorials a s engaging and educational as possible.Certain subjects require a lot of equipment. For example, piano tutorials or guitar tutorials will require a piano and a guitar respectively. These are things that you can't necessarily take with you to a public place. Additionally, you probably won't be welcome playing the piano or guitar in a library, for example.Follow these guidelines for choosing locations for giving lessons!There are also technical and scientific subjects that require a lot of equipment. You can't really teach woodwork in a cafe.  These are the kind of tutorials that are better taught in the tutor's home where they can convert part of their home into a classroom, lab, or workshop, for example.Art is a great subject to take outside. You and your student could study landscapes, for example, and sketch things as research for a bigger painting that they can complete at home.Languages and the humanities are also great subjects for teaching in public places as they normally req uire the student and tutor to talk to one other, don't require a lot of equipment, and can be taught with just a few books and an exercise book.You no longer need to be in a classroom in order to learn. (Source: Wokandapix)Of course you can teach outside of the home! While we normally see the home as the ideal spot for teaching private tutorials, you should keep in mind that teaching outside of it isn’t impossible. For certain subjects, teaching outside of the home is even better as it can keep students engaged and motivated.Don't forget that if you can't teach at your home, the student's home, or in a public place, online tutoring is also an option. An online tutor teaches their students via video conferencing, all they need is a computer, webcam, microphone, and a decent internet connection.Whether you're teaching grammar, economics, geometry, you can work flexible hours and save money on transport costs by becoming an online tutor. You can also charge those being tutored less, making finding tutor jobs and your accounting much easier.

How to Adopt a Growth Oriented, Ownership Mindset

How to Adopt a Growth Oriented, Ownership Mindset Improving Academic Performance Most people tend to have one of two mindsets: fixed or growth. Those with a growth mindset believe they can always improve and change their personality or level of intelligence through feedback and hard work. They believe, accurately, that the brain is a muscle that can be built up over time. Those with a fixed mindset believe your personality and intelligence is more or less given to you at birth, and you can only tinker around the edges. You want to adopt a growth mindset. Developing a Growth Mindset Why is the growth mindset important? First, because the research suggests it’s true, and second, because adopting this mindset leaves to whole host of behaviors that have been shown to lead to academic and other types of success, most notably “grit” and the willingness to stick with things when the going gets tough. People with a fixed mindset tend to think their abilities, personalities, and intelligence is given at birth, and can’t be changed. They may tend to avoid activities at which they fear they’ll fail, since this will expose a lack of ability which of course, can’t be changed. This creates a truly unfortunate cycle. Because the student believes they simply, for example, aren’t good at math, but recognizes that it would be nice if they were good at math, they avoid situations in which their poor math ability will be exposed. They make the choice to avoid raising their hand, for fear of looking dumb. So, they don’t ask questions to clarify their understanding in class. They may even avoid doing their homework, since it’s somehow easier mentally to do poorly because you didn’t study than to try your best and fail, thus confirming your belief that you may just not smart. Ultimately, and over time, a student with a fixed mindset starts to try far less hard, do much less homework, falling farther and farther behind, until the evidence seems to confirm that yes, other people “have it” and they don’t when it comes to math (or, insert any other common skill). People with a growth mindset believe that abilities and talents are built up over time through hard work, persistence, feedback, and ultimately learning. They’ll ask a question in class in the honest pursuit of feedback and learning, without being too worried about sounding dumb. They have no fear of being exposed as lacking math skills, because they believe they can and will just build up their math skills if they lack them today. Growth vs. Fixed Mindset There are a variety of interesting studies which support the importance of the growth vs. fixed mindset distinction. For example, in one long term study, Dr. Dweck interviewed and analyzed and ultimately placed 7th grade students into one of two categories: a) those that seemed to have a fixed mindset and those that seemed to have a growth mindset. At the beginning of the study, both groups had earned an average grade of 74% in math. Over the course of two academic years, however, the average math grade of the fixed mindset cohort steadily declined, while the opposite occurred for the growth mindset group. In sum, a 4% point change in math grades was attributed directly to having a growth vs. fixed mindset over the course of two academic years (C â€" average vs. C+). Why do we see positive results from adopting a growth mindset? I think there are likely three related reasons: 1) the most common explanation is the brain really is like a muscle that you can build (see next chapter). As you try harder and ask questions, you learn and become smarter. 2), knowing that it’s possible to learn and grow, you work much harder, displaying more grit, and stick with difficult tasks for a long time. 3), what is discussed less but is very important, in my view, is that the growth mindset also leads to a sense of accountability, ownership, and control over your education or academic or professional performance. If you truly believe you can learn and grow, then you feel responsible for making positive changes happen. What can you do to encourage a growth mindset in yourself and others? The answer here is relatively simple. Place value and praise on displays of effort and learning, not natural intelligence and talent (whatever those concepts might actually mean). How to learn more about building a growth, ownership oriented mindset? To learn more about the Growth mindset - Visit MindSet works, the company Carold Dweck co-founded Read Dr. Dweck’s book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success â€" How We Can Learn to Fulfill Our Potential To learn more about the Importance of grit and persistence â€" How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(215486, 'ec7de4d5-7dbc-47df-88fd-67e762d72f81', {});