"We must allow children to be different," says Barbara Wilson, a teacher of psychology, science and elementary education at Stiles Point Elementary School in Charleston. Ms. Wilson tries to model behaviors that will help her students "develop a positive self-concept." She believes that well-established methods of "putting students first, teaching them self-respect and mutual respect, encouraging them to love and believe in themselves" are still the most effective. Teaching and learning, she thinks, can only take place after these emotional and social factors have been fully addressed. Interest in science escalated sharply at Stiles Point Elementary School when Ms. Wilson organized the first Science Fair in the school's history. Faculty, parents and students worked closely to ensure the Fair's success, and longer term achievements of the event include a science lab and improved student test scores.
