The defining moment in my life that shifted the way I was thinking...and brought me to ubuntu.
Great question. Tough to answer.
In the sense of living and breathing and working and playing.
I wanted to take a minute and discuss my Mad Science job that I've taken to help with my trip. When I realized I had about 7 months left, I thought WOW I have to look for a part-time job to help supplement my income. So, I went online, saw a posting for a Mad Scientist and thought, that might be fun! I'm certainly mad enough! So I got an interview, and I'm sure that it was because in my cover letter I stated just how goofy I am. My (now boss) still laughs at that and says I'm the only woman she's had apply and say that I was "very goofy."
I teach 4 times a week, usually I leave my full-time job and then go back afterwards so I'm not home until 7 - 8ish each night. But I LOVE IT. And I LOVE my kids (most of the time!) My Scientist name is Dr. Goop. The kids relate well to it and it allows me to explain how "goop" or "slime" (something that seems just fun) has a scientific background (slime is made because of two elements - polymers and cross-linkers.)
Some hilarious episodes that have occurred to date:
One Tuesday, (my class that has the loudest kids), I was doing some dry ice experiments. We blew up some balloons with the gas (Carbon dioxide) that comes from dry ice and all was good. The last experiment is putting a huge fishbowl on the floor with all the kids around it, and then dropping in a ton of dry ice. It creates a cloud around them and is fun for everyone. As I was walking around the circle, I made the mistake of commenting, "Wouldn't it be crazy if I had a balloon big enough to go around the fish bowl!" Well, my kids took it literally that I DID and started chanting, "DO IT...DO IT...DO IT...DO IT!" For probably about 2 full minutes, I couldn't get a word in edgewise to tell them that I didn't in fact have a balloon to do this. To make matters worse, two other mad scientist assistants happened to drop in right at this time, and they just watched the whole thing incredulously. Hahahaha. worst day ever.
Then, my Thursday class kids caught sight of my teeth and now call me a Vampire all the time. They almost started chanting it last week until I threatened that if I heard the "v-word" again I would send them home without their take-homes. One little girl even called her sister into the school when her mom and sister picked her up, to show her her "vampire teacher." hahaha.
It has been an absolutle blast though...I've even learned a ton about science itself which will probably help me in other areas of life. So, I am very,very thankful that this trip planted my Mad Science seed...hehehe :)
I teach 4 times a week, usually I leave my full-time job and then go back afterwards so I'm not home until 7 - 8ish each night. But I LOVE IT. And I LOVE my kids (most of the time!) My Scientist name is Dr. Goop. The kids relate well to it and it allows me to explain how "goop" or "slime" (something that seems just fun) has a scientific background (slime is made because of two elements - polymers and cross-linkers.)
Some hilarious episodes that have occurred to date:
One Tuesday, (my class that has the loudest kids), I was doing some dry ice experiments. We blew up some balloons with the gas (Carbon dioxide) that comes from dry ice and all was good. The last experiment is putting a huge fishbowl on the floor with all the kids around it, and then dropping in a ton of dry ice. It creates a cloud around them and is fun for everyone. As I was walking around the circle, I made the mistake of commenting, "Wouldn't it be crazy if I had a balloon big enough to go around the fish bowl!" Well, my kids took it literally that I DID and started chanting, "DO IT...DO IT...DO IT...DO IT!" For probably about 2 full minutes, I couldn't get a word in edgewise to tell them that I didn't in fact have a balloon to do this. To make matters worse, two other mad scientist assistants happened to drop in right at this time, and they just watched the whole thing incredulously. Hahahaha. worst day ever.
Then, my Thursday class kids caught sight of my teeth and now call me a Vampire all the time. They almost started chanting it last week until I threatened that if I heard the "v-word" again I would send them home without their take-homes. One little girl even called her sister into the school when her mom and sister picked her up, to show her her "vampire teacher." hahaha.
It has been an absolutle blast though...I've even learned a ton about science itself which will probably help me in other areas of life. So, I am very,very thankful that this trip planted my Mad Science seed...hehehe :)
Do it! DO IT! lol I laugh out loud everytime I think of that!
ReplyDeleteHey Dr. Goop,
ReplyDeleteYou should take your camera into the class and get a few action shots!! Love the stories
I did get some shots of the kids last week and intend to get lots more over the next couple weeks - I will be posting :)
ReplyDelete