Looking for the God Particle

[sasha]

One of my neighbors taught 2nd grade in one of our local schools, and once asked me if I'd be willing to give a "Mr. Science" talk to her class. I agreed with some diffidence - public speaking has never been my forte. It turned out to be the most amazing experience. I'd prepared a few demonstrations - the ol' vinegar & baking soda trick (in which I described the ionic exchange of chemical reactions as not unlike leaving for recess with one of your friends but coming back in with another). And I showed them how to build an electromagnet with a nail and some bell wire, attached to a hobbyist's double-throw switch, like something out of the original Frankenstein movie. When I asked who wanted to throw the switch, every hand shot up. I made it a point to choose a little girl to do the honors. All this time, the teacher (my neighbor) was in the back, laughing - I had those kids in the palms of my hands. And once they'd thrown the switch and saw the magnet pick up paper clips, they snatched it out of my hands and set about exploring on their own. Chalk? Nope. Paper? Nope. Thumbtacks? YES!! It was incredible - children are born explorers & scientists, if we let them, and it behooves us to encourage that, to see for themselves how stuff works. I was riding an endorphin high for the rest of the day.