Prof. Charles Scaife, whose hands-on science road shows
have become a hit with elementary students, parents and teachers, receives
what may be the ultimate comparison in a story in the Feb. 7 edition of USA
Today.
“Like popular children's television host Mister
Rogers, Charles Scaife knows how to grab the attention of youngsters and
hold them spellbound,” the story begins.
Reporter Tamara Henry caught up with Scaife and his
wife, Priscilla, at Showell Elementary School in Berlin, Md., where they
were doing programs that included an experiment that meant a great deal to
the audience: how to get the maximum number of swings during a short
recess period.
Dressed in his trademark white lab coat covered with
balloons, patches and scientific formulas, Scaife watched as students
experimented with putting varying weights on the end of a string. Finally,
after Scaife suggested changing the length of the string, the students
discovered that they could get more swings on a shorter length.
“I think we're on to something,” one
youngster commented.
The Scaifes are on their latest of many trips. They
began the science road shows during his sabbatical in 1994 and have been
at it ever since during college breaks, evenings and weekends. Since then,
the Scaifes have trained a number of people – many of whom are retired
teachers and scientists – to carry on the effort. The Scaifes' current
sabbatical tour has included stops in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
New York, Wisconsin, Michigan. They also plan to visit a number of cities
in the South and Southwest before heading north.
Support also comes from the National Science Foundation
and the Dreyfuss Foundation. Most of the materials they use – empty soda
bottles, baking soda, glue – are things most of us have around the
kitchen. And they always emphasize that the best way to learn science is
to experience it.
“I don't think most people have that appreciation
about science,” Scaife says. “They read it in a book and that's
the gospel and that's they way it is and it's never going to
change.”
“I had a chance to observe a little bit and see
what little most (teachers) did was right out of the book … I placed
that in the back of my mind and said, 'If I ever get a chance to do
anything about this, I'll take advantage of this.”
To read the story, visit the USA Today Website at
www.usatoday.com/life/lds046.htm.