The Sonikcycle Syndicate

Are you planning a children’s conference this year? Even of you’re not, here are some theme suggestions that may serve to stimulate…

• Life-long Learning (without schools)
• “You can make a difference!”
• Unity in Diversity
• “Teach someone you know!”
• Teacher< ->Student< ->Student< ->Teacher
• Connections Across Disciplines
• Learning around the Home/Community

Technorati Tags: children, conference

I just ran across an interesting post entitled, Book a Muslim. Over in Denmark, there’s an online network that enables people to book a meeting with a young Danish Muslim. I find this to be an intriguing approach to (re)establishing dialogue among Muslims and non-Muslims in the aftermath of the cartoon saga. I could even see myself on the roster of bookable Muslims.

I must admit, my first thought was of the “Congolese Village” (read human zoo) of the 1958 World Exhibition, in Brussels. However, in this case I envision well-to-do, or perhaps liberal Danish intellectuals standing around chatting with their “guest.” What kind of person would book a meeting with a Muslim? I hardly think it would be anyone but a person who, at best, is already inclined to be open and tolerant, or who, at least, is interested in making themselves feel like they are.

On a less cynical note, the kind of person who would “book a Muslim” is not likely to be the kind of person who needs a perspective adjustment, as in the perpetrators in the cartoon case. I would be very interested in learning more about how this unfolds and what lessons get learned.

Technorati Tags: islam, muslim, human zoo, congolese village

Two nights ago, I attended the 7th Annual Inquiry Fair at Cale Elementary School. As one might expect, there was a wide range of topics, there were varying degrees of parental support, and some very clever projects. My nephew, a first-grader, worked very hard on his ant tunnel project, and I enjoyed watching him and his classmates bask in the kudos of jobs well done. One line of inquiry, which I shall refer to as the “bubble gum” experiments, caught my eye. An example of one such experiment sought to determine which brand of chewing gum had the longest lasting flavor (results showed Hubba Bubba!). Another youngster set out to find which brand of bubble gum made the largest bubbles (I forget the winner). A third experiment had something to do with Skittles.

These inquiries were in stark contrast to the more “scientific” topics, such as differences in camera shutter speeds, and the connection between molecules found in distant nebulae and molecules in our bodies. What I find interesting is my reaction to the different inquiries. When I saw the “bubble gum” experiments, I chuckled, but I didn’t take them very seriously; I thought of a kid just doing whatever came to mind at the last minute.

This morning, however, it occured to me that the young researchers involved in the “bubble gum” experiments may very well be the kids who grow up to be great researchers. Why? Because unlike some of the kids whose topics had more to do with Daddy’s interests than their own, the “bubble gum” researchers have, perhaps intuitively, already identified an essential aspect of research. That is, for research to be satisfying and meaningful to the researcher, it must be something about which the researcher is PASSIONATE! Only a passionate researcher can muster the necessary perseverence, and ask the truly great questions that elevate humanity.

Technorati Tags: inquiry fair, science, bubble gum, passion