“Every kid starts out as a natural born scientist and then we beat it out of them. Few trickle through with their wonder and enthusiasm for science intact.” Carl Sagan
I was honored to be part of the first annual ICT Comic Con & Science Fiction Convention. Apparently it was so popular I wasn’t the only one who was parking for 27 minutes and THAT is a very good thing! Smiles and laughter were everywhere and there was some great cosplay happening. But the absolute best parts of the day were the junior scientists.
My favorite quotes of the con: “Is this a SCIENCE THING?! OMG I LOVE SCIENCE!” and “Mom! Look ! I’m doing science and it’s not even for school!” I witnessed so much excitement about hands on stress free science projects where kids could play and learn without pressure. Parents and kids were totally absorbed in working together to build engines and make rubber balls. Science is a place to bond with your kids and encourage them to retain the wonder and creativity of childhood always. I am constantly honored to be a part of that.
I was very graciously provided the use of a booth table by Mr. Davis Ray Sickmon, Jr and the board of ICT Comic Con and this was the first time I’ve done projects at a booth instead of classroom style. It was amazingly fun and super crazy! I do want to thank Mr. Sickmon and ICT Comic Con for generously inviting and allowing me to donate some time to engaging the future science minds of Kansas on a Saturday morning! You have contributed to encouraging minds and that is priceless.
It’s always a toss up between making rubber balls and engines for what might be the most popular event. Although, the 5-7 year old crowd was pretty thrilled at the warring acid-base volcano and everyone loved creating lighting up the space by creating human energy circuits. Borax crystals fascinated all ages proving that there is no age limit or education gap science can’t somehow bridge. Everyone knows something and everyone can contribute!
I got some fantastic suggestions too for my website. In the upcoming few weeks I’ll be designing a science themed birthday party idea where with just a few supplies you can create some junior mad scientists at your kitchen table and I’ll be adding some biology and more projects to my “creating your own universe” series (we’ve built crystals and generated energy for a planet…what else do we need?!). I always want suggestions for videos you’d like to see, science you’d like to do, and projects!
