Science Experiments 102

Yesterday I posted about 11 Experiments that Failed by Jenny Offill.  It reminded me of one of Isaac's favorite TV shows, Mythbusters.  To be honest, it is one of my favorites, too.  And the underlying message in the show, and the message that the hosts, Adam and Jamie, try to spread, is that it is okay to fail.  As long as you keep trying and learn from your mistakes.  They also think explosions are really cool and that every show should end with a big one-- they are boys, after all.

We went to see Jamie and Adam speak last year.  They shared their histories and their philosophies.  And they talked about what they hope people, especially kids, take away from the show -- to accept that you will make mistakes, have to start over sometimes, but eventually you will find the solution, even though it may not be what you originally expected.

I really like their message.  It is one that kids don't hear enough.  Too many students are unwilling to make mistakes and cannot handle when the learning process does not go smoothly.  Science is about problem solving.  Sometimes it involves a lot of backtracking and rethinking what you think you know.  The reward comes when you finally solve the problem and have gained new knowledge.

We were watching an episode of Mythbusters over the weekend and one of the tests that Jamie and Adam were doing in their effort to prove or disprove the myth didn't work.  In fact, it failed miserably.  They went back to the workshop, reworked their plan and tried again, with much better results.  They commented that science is not easy, but that is what makes it fun.  I made Isaac repeat that to me.  I want him to remember it.

I think Jamie and Adam would like the character in 11 Experiments that Failed.  They may even take some of her experiments and try them out for themselves.  I would like to see their results.

Science Experiments 101

In a couple of years Isaac will be doing science fair projects for school.  Matt will help him.  It will  be better that way.  Trust me.  Matt actually already has a couple of experiments in mind . . . at least one of them may be appropriate for an elementary school science fair.

Isaac has already started showing interest in doing "experiments."  Luckily, he has not undertaken any of the projects on his own.  When we read 11 Experiments that Failed by Jenny Offill, I appreciated Isaac's restraint.

This book is actually very cute and captures the imagination and inquisitiveness of childhood with humor and understanding.  The main character is a girl, and while I write about books for boys, it is always nice to see girls depicted in strong or non-traditional roles.  She is a scientist at heart and conducts experiments around her house.  They all fail.  Miserably.  But she keeps trying, which is a great message about science education and life in general.

Isaac may soon decide to start trying experiments on his own.  I pray that we will escape unscathed  In the mean time, I think I will hunt down warranty information for our major appliances and make sure I have the plumber and other repairmen on speed dial.

Accessible Love

Our church is undertaking a Capital Campaign to renovate and improve some of our space. The focus of the campaign has been access -- making the church accessible in all ways to all people. The campaign leadership team has emphasized that the work we are going to be doing is not for those of us using the space now, but for those who will come after us.

One of the things I have always appreciated about our church is that our children are included in everything we do. Milestones are also celebrated as the children grow up. Babies are presented the first time they come to church and then dedicated a few months later. Children get their first bible at their dedication, the first of seven bibles or books they will receive as they grow up in the church. The youth are recognized throughout their middle and high school years, and graduations from high school and college are important events.

Isaac's first bible is now falling apart. The spine has just about separated from the binding. When he turned four he received a beautiful book of psalms paraphrased for children. We some times use these as bedtime prayers. He received another bible when he entered first grade, a children's version of The Message.

We have talked a lot about the capital campaign with Isaac, at home as we have decided what our commitment will be and how Isaac can help, and in Sunday School as we have helped the children understand why the church is doing the campaign. I hope that some day Isaac will appreciate our church and the way he is loved. Right now, it is mostly the place where he sees his friend Aidan and the old ladies (no offense Darcy, Penny and Agnes) who always have a treat for him. Until he truly understands the value of this community of faith that we have stumbled upon, I will appreciate it for the both of us.

Going Far

I ran a 5K with students and other staff members from my school this morning. The Go Out For A Run (GoFar) program was started to get kids active and each year students all over the country train for and run a 3.1 mile race. Registration is open to anyone, so parents, family and community members also run.

This was my first GoFar race and it was a great experience to see kids out running with their parents and friends. Isaac was too young to participate this year, but I am already hoping that he will be running with me in a couple of years.

The program includes lessons to be taught in conjunction with the weekly workouts. They stress health, safety and sportsmanship. One of the things that I like about running is that I am my own competition. I don't run as much as I used to, but in each race I try to run just a little faster than the time before. Life is already so competitive and stressful, even for the students, that I like how the GoFar program stresses personal challenges and goals, rather than beating the runner next to you.

The PE teacher at my school uses the book You're a Good Sport, Miss Malarkey by Judy Finch at the beginning of each school year. He makes a point of talking about sportsmanship with the students in addition to the discussions in the GoFar curriculum. Kids these days see so many examples of poor sportsmanship, that one book isn't going to counter the prevailing negative images, but it at least gives an alternative view of competition.

Isaac has played t-ball and soccer and taken taekwondo. We are trying to help him find a sport he enjoys, something his father and I never had. Until I started running, I never felt athletic. I focused on academics and dreaded gym class. I want Isaac to at least be able to have fun in PE, even if he is not a top athlete. Programs like GoFar which emphasize the experience and health benefits over the competition will, hopefully, help him and other kids be willing to try a new activity without worrying about being the best.

Yes, Boss!

Isaac is all boy, though construction doesn't fascinate him like it used to. A couple of years ago, we couldn't drive by a construction site without him getting excited about the big trucks and cranes and cables. Our trip to DC was a constant "look Mom!" or "see that Dad?" since DC is always building or fixing something. Now, Matt or I are the ones saying "Isaac, look . . . " with a half-hearted "Yeah" in response from the backseat.

But if I come across a construction book, I still bring it home to share just in case it sparks a dormant fascination. I came across just such a book in my reading for my Children's Lit group last month. Job Site by Nathan Clement is perfect for any little guy who loves big trucks, earth movers, or anything building related.

I will admit that I did not love the illustrations. They are computer generated and feel just a bit flat to me. But, I don't think that children will be bothered by that. I did like,though, that at the end of the book you see the completed site that all of the machines were working on. It was nice to see the project carried through to the end.

Now if I can just get Isaac to feel the same way about his classwork . . .