Physics
Physics
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More out of the mouth of Babes:
So I am FACETIMING my Grandkids and out of nowhere I get asked the following question:
"Pop Pop, what is light made of?"
So my first thought, was: "What are these kids watching?"
It turns out, that one of their friends told them that light was a thing.
So what do you tell a freshly minted 13 year old, and a 11 and 1/2 year old without getting them to deep into the nuances.
So I told them this: Light has energy and momentum, but no mass. And that it can't hold still. It never stops moving. A particle has energy and momentum too, but it can hold still. It can stop moving. "
There was a few moments of silence. And then this:
"So like ...we are... frozen light?"
"Well, yeah. Sort of."
"Cool."
So I am FACETIMING my Grandkids and out of nowhere I get asked the following question:
"Pop Pop, what is light made of?"
So my first thought, was: "What are these kids watching?"
It turns out, that one of their friends told them that light was a thing.
So what do you tell a freshly minted 13 year old, and a 11 and 1/2 year old without getting them to deep into the nuances.
So I told them this: Light has energy and momentum, but no mass. And that it can't hold still. It never stops moving. A particle has energy and momentum too, but it can hold still. It can stop moving. "
There was a few moments of silence. And then this:
"So like ...we are... frozen light?"
"Well, yeah. Sort of."
"Cool."
Science
Physics
Space
Knowledge
Children
Edited 11 d ago
Posted 11 d ago
Responses: 3
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@kevin hughes, I will have to say "cool" was a good way to get out of that sandbag.
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Definitely "cool"
Maybe some nice science books/experiments for next Christmas?
Maybe some nice science books/experiments for next Christmas?
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SGT Kevin Hughes Good job. Kids bring skills out in us we may not know we have!
Can it be, brother Kevin, that some school districts still do not get very far into teaching science at an age when kids soak up the facts like a sponge, including nuances, when they are explained in a way that is understandable? STEM classes should be solving that problem by now, teaching both the teachers who need it, and the kids, because they have become much more common in K-12.
My evening class geology and astronomy prof from 89 had a side gig consulting business. (CC and universities were hiring folks with master's degrees, for 19 hour weeks, short of the 20 required for benefits. It is probably still commonly done, sigh) So his "day job" was being hired by school districts in the the wider Puget Sound area to teach a science module to middle school kids usually 5/6th graders - as I recall, it was for a week. He told us the districts said their teachers felt unequipped to do a good job of teaching science, so his consulting business was a way school districts solved the problem (as an early approach to STEM, at the time, it seems!)
I can honestly say his teaching skills were excellent. What he said just stayed with us because along with our reading and studying and writing, he explained the concepts so well in detail in an easy way to listen to and understand - perhaps it was in part because he loved the subject matter he taught. Those middle schoolers (and their teachers) he taught were as fortunate as we were!
Can it be, brother Kevin, that some school districts still do not get very far into teaching science at an age when kids soak up the facts like a sponge, including nuances, when they are explained in a way that is understandable? STEM classes should be solving that problem by now, teaching both the teachers who need it, and the kids, because they have become much more common in K-12.
My evening class geology and astronomy prof from 89 had a side gig consulting business. (CC and universities were hiring folks with master's degrees, for 19 hour weeks, short of the 20 required for benefits. It is probably still commonly done, sigh) So his "day job" was being hired by school districts in the the wider Puget Sound area to teach a science module to middle school kids usually 5/6th graders - as I recall, it was for a week. He told us the districts said their teachers felt unequipped to do a good job of teaching science, so his consulting business was a way school districts solved the problem (as an early approach to STEM, at the time, it seems!)
I can honestly say his teaching skills were excellent. What he said just stayed with us because along with our reading and studying and writing, he explained the concepts so well in detail in an easy way to listen to and understand - perhaps it was in part because he loved the subject matter he taught. Those middle schoolers (and their teachers) he taught were as fortunate as we were!
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SGT Kevin Hughes
Oh man Sarge, you brought up a sore spot for me. At my daughter's graduation from College the Dean bragged (BRAGGED!!!!) about having the most part time Professors in the country. That she had reduced the Faculty to almost entirely Part Time, without tenure, without benefits and without pay. But she got pretty buildings built.
You can't stop a curious person from learning, but you can put up roadblocks to their success.
You can't stop a curious person from learning, but you can put up roadblocks to their success.
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SGT Mary G.
SGT Kevin Hughes - Oh,oh! That is truly disgusting isn't it - especially when some of those profs are the best ones hired. One of the most difficult lessons to learn in life might be to stay curious and always expect road blocks!
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SGT Kevin Hughes
SGT Mary G. - That last sentence of yours is profound! And probably the back bone of many a successful person. Loved it.
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