Einstein
Yesterday, my son and his classmates starred as historic influencers. Guests listened to scientists Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton describe their obsessions with formulas, while engineer Henry Ford (my son) told of when he built an entire car by himself and later, with the help of thousands of employees, produced affordable cars in a single location (he scoffed at the idea of importing parts from other states, let alone other countries…wonder what he’d think of our manufacturing models today, less than 100 years later).
Based on the wealth of information my son absorbed and his new-found personal connection to Ford, I’d like to see all the wonderful science teachers* out there offer similar “wax museum” projects at your schools. Assign subjects (scientists, mathematicians, engineers) to your students and have them research their lives, write reports, slip on their personalities and role-play for two minutes. Be sure to include cool scientists to help shatter the geek image! We need more kids to get jazzed, not turned off. See Obama’s recent, related remarks.
*If you are a science teacher and you’re reading this blog, then you are indeed wonderful:)
Henry Ford is cool. So is Einstein and Newton.
In elementary school, I starred as Hannibal (son of Hamilcar Barca). While not a great scientist himself, he was an exceptional leader who understood the importance of technology and strategy. His use of elephants makes him considered by many to be the father of heavy armour. And, his strategy at Cannae is still studied and used.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal
Dave
Henry Ford is cool. So is Einstein and Newton.
In elementary school, I starred as Hannibal (son of Hamilcar Barca). While not a great scientist himself, he was an exceptional leader who understood the importance of technology and strategy. His use of elephants makes him considered by many to be the father of heavy armour. And, his strategy at Cannae is still studied and used.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hannibal
Dave
This is an outstanding idea! This allows students to really get into the skin of their favorite scientist and learn about their character.
This is an outstanding idea! This allows students to really get into the skin of their favorite scientist and learn about their character.
It is a great idea. My son became Einstein in a wax museum a couple of weeks ago. He had great ideas, and even took them farther than I would have thought. The night before while practicing, he wondered what Einstein sounded like. The beauty of the world wide web let him hear the great scientists voice and he incorporated it into his presentation. Judging by the pic, could this be the spark that makes a scientist?
It is a great idea. My son became Einstein in a wax museum a couple of weeks ago. He had great ideas, and even took them farther than I would have thought. The night before while practicing, he wondered what Einstein sounded like. The beauty of the world wide web let him hear the great scientists voice and he incorporated it into his presentation. Judging by the pic, could this be the spark that makes a scientist?