The next generation of DIY'ers - 41 science fair experiments
- by Francesca Clarke on Feb 28th 2008 8:00AM
- Filed under backyard science, kids
I can't watch the preliminary American Idol auditions. I think it's because I feel too close to people who actually suck and my heart just breaks for their complete and total public exposure. Looking through these 41 hilarious science fair experiments tugged on those same heart-strings, but still left me compelled to share. Strange little psyche I have, but that's a story for another day!Science fairs are said to shine a spotlight on the leaders of tomorrow. They are supposed to be highlighting those who really stand out as innovators. In my opinion they are more a reflection of who's parents can back off and let the kids do it and who can't help but step in and take over. You can always tell which ones Mom and Dad tinkered with and which ones they were asleep on the couch for.
This is our next generation of DIY'ers. I'm curious as to why the projects seem to have changed so dramatically over generations. It used to be about showing a real experiment, now it looks more like a research project. Where is all the mess? I want mess! No volcanoes, no slime, no models of that ideal pancreas? I'm not impressed. The display boards look great, the kids obviously took the time to make professional presentations.
They all look proud standing in front of their projects, and obviously put some very hard work into them, they just don't cover the topics I'd expect. Some of you with older children may be able to help me understand what's going on here. Are we not building robots and blowing things up anymore? Have Science Fairs changed? How do you think this impacts the next generation of DIY'ers; are they being encouraged to tinker and experiment less, with the new emphasis on creative displays and polished presentations?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-02-2008 @ 3:06AM
M.E. Williams said...
Yes! No! I don't know!
I do know that I absolutely sucked at "science fair" stuff as a kid. My parents were not willing to help in the slightest (and even resented having to, like, buy posterboard for it), I had a difficult time thinking up appropriate projects, the list goes on. I remember that I did get a little Radio Shack Junior Science Experimenter kit one year when I was 11 or so, but in practice it was a weird collection of brackets and clear tubing and I had no idea what I was actually supposed to DO with it.
This is probably why all of my school friends went on to study medicine and microbiology and environmental science, and I... didn't. ;)
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