Too much discouragement!

Hi Amber!  I'm sorry to hear you're struggling this year.  Perhaps I can help lend a little perspective and point you toward some helpful resources. 

The science and math classes you're taking now (and will take in college, if you stay on a path to engineering) will not always be hands-on.  These classes will teach you the basics of scientific theory and how to think like an engineer.  If you did a lab activity for every topic the teacher is responsible for imparting to you, the class would not fit into a semester!  If the teaching style is getting in the way of you learning the material, consider getting a classmate or teacher to tutor you one-on-one.  Prepare some questions for them on specific topics to help make your sessions more productive.  There are also a lot of online resources you can use in conjunction with your textbooks that might help you understand the topics more easily.  Check out www.howstuffworks.com, www.khanacademy.org, or search YouTube for science topic demonstrations/animations on which you're having trouble.  Here's a great one on photosynthesis: http://youtu.be/joZ1EsA5_NY  Be prepared to write down notes on things to look into in more detail!  You can also call or visit your local science museum (if you have one nearby) to see if maybe they have some science classes or clubs you can get involved in on your spare time to feed your need for hands-on activities.  

Many engineers (including myself) learn better from hands-on demonstrations just like you and found it tedious to sit in a classroom, listen to lectures, and take written exams.  Many science and engineering classes in college will have associated labs, but others will just involve a lot of challenging reading, written problems, and documentation.  It's not ALL fun and action on the road to becoming an engineer, and people have different learning styles so it's sometimes good to mix things up!  In college you'll also have access to tutors and teaching assistants who can help if you need it: don't be afraid to ask!  There is no shame in asking questions or saying "I don't know" and taking steps to find the answer.  All these activities together will give you a good foundation of scientific understanding and thought processes to make you a successful practicing engineer.  

The good news is that there are a lot of things you can do as an engineer: we don't ALL end up with "boring desk jobs!"  My degree is in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and I make aircraft products.  While much of my time is spent in an office, I do get the opportunity to "get my hands dirty" certifying the products I design to the FAA's satisfaction and going to customer sites to help with installation and the certification of the plane itself.  Sometimes I get to go on test flights!  In a previous job, I worked on medical devices and got to visit doctors and hospitals to determine their needs and how my designs could fulfill those needs.  I have friends who have the same degree as I do who have gone into civil or power engineering industries and spend their days "in the field" on construction sites or power rigs, complete with boots and hard hat dress code.  Other friends of mine chose to stay in academia where they do scientific research: think of a years-long science lab where you get to test cutting edge technologies!  We all have the same foundation of science and engineering, but took very different paths.

What are you passionate about?  Odds are there's an engineering path that will allow you make a difference in that area.  Above all, engineers are PROBLEM SOLVERS!  If you can use the resources I linked above (and others you find along the way) to get you through the tedium of classwork, not even those naysayers will be able to stop you!  It is unfortunate that your teacher is not more supportive of your goal: I assure you not everyone is that discouraging to women engineers.  I will encourage you to maintain a high GPA because it makes getting into college, earning scholarships, and securing your first job out of college a LOT easier, but realistically you do NOT have to be a straight-A student to become or be successful as an engineer.  The tests you take are intended to be an objective measure of how well you understand the class material.  Once you are in the workplace, there are no objective tests.  You must prove your understanding of engineering fundamentals on a daily basis and translate that into quality engineering design work.  One thing that colleges and employers will look for, in addition to your grades, is hands-on experience with science and engineering activities.  I encourage you to get involved in after-school programs or at-home projects that will not only help you in school and be FUN, but also demonstrate to dubious onlookers that you know what you're doing.  Engineer Girl has great resources for this!  http://www.engineergirl.org/245.aspx  Fight ignorance and discrimination with knowledge and solutions!  I hope that helps!  Best of luck to you.