Even with these advantages, however, we still need something more, determination; Although it sounds obvious, we must realize that while we have wide advantages, they are useless unless we make use of them.
Slow down guys!
And homeschoolers are making use of them, at the 2005 National Geographic Bee for example, won by thirteen year old homeschooler Nathan Cornelius. He spent several hours each day studying atlases and other material (HSLDA) to be able to answer a question asking which river was dammed to create Lake Gatun (the Chagres, in case you’re wondering).
I suppose geography isn’t enough, however, with homeschoolers taking first in several recent robotics competitions. In the 12th Annual Trinity College Fire Fighting Home Robot Contest the team’s determination was worth it, “All of the planning, learning, and hard work really paid off at the contest…” said their software programmer Katelyn Gallagher, who started the group with nothing more than the desire to compete; learning the technical knowledge as she went along.
Competitors had to build and program an autonomous robot to navigate a maze representing a model house, locate a lit candle, and extinguish the candle in the shortest amount of time—all with no remote controls. “This is the toughest robotics you could do,” says Ann, pointing out that the maze included mirrors, paneling, white walls, and patches of carpet designed to confuse the robots. (NCFHE)
Houston, I think we have determination.
Determination works. For everyone.
It’s important to remember, however, that this hard work and determination isn’t limited to homeschoolers. Students attending public school can have it too. This year’s U.S. National Spelling Bee was won by Californian public school student Anurag Kashyap, upsetting the recent pattern of homeschool wins. “I was really nervous because I worked really hard on that and I wanted to do good” was his comment on the ABC show Good Morning America. With enough determination, public scholars can achieve too.
Applying it
You have to wonder what might happen if homeschoolers came to the level of determination that allowed Anurag to overcome the disadvantages of public schooling. Looking at their current achievements, it’s almost scary.
Thanks to Alex King who helped tremendously with this article. Couldn’t have done it without you!
This is true.