| Author |
Message
|
| Slightlymadscience |
 Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:54 pm Post subject: Newb to Forum - Amateur Mad-Scientist checking in |
 |
|
Forum Freshman
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Posts: 7
|
Greetings!
Lately I've been looking for open forums to listen to and exchange science ideas, hence why I ended up here. I look forward to reading all of the good stuff here, and seeing what everyone has to say.
Some additional background:
I have a great interest in nearly all of the physical sciences. Physics and Chemistry are my favorites. However, in spite of starting out as a physics major in college (a long time ago), I ended up diverting from that path, and became a professional computer (science) geek. I still read science textbooks/journals frequently, however, and try to at least maintain some awareness regarding current events in the realm of science.
Last year, due to a very pro-volunteerism policy at my employer, I started doing volunteer work at a local city school's science class. I did science demonstrations for them every couple weeks that tied in with their current topic. It was very exciting stuff, and I found myself coming up with all sorts of "labs." Magnetism, recycling, electricity, whatever demonstrations I could cobble together that I thought they'd find interesting. When I was younger, the home-made experiments I created were similar, but frequently more dangerous than I could show in public schools today. So I decided to get a little wacky, and re-do these demonstrations (and come up with new ones) and post them online for a more general viewing audience. After a few videos, I decided upon a "mad-science" theme, and expectedly - went crazy with it.
I have moved on to a different volunteer program (one on one mentoring instead of a general classroom environment), but continue to make videos. Not all have science content (some might argue it's minimal at best), some were just things I thought were amusing at the time. The most recent is on Potential Energy. If anyone cares to view them, please go ahead, and let me know what you think (reply or private message). However, if you're bothered by dangerous stunts (most fall under the category "Dangerously-Stupid" and are not safe to try at home) or very particular in what you think "science" is, you'd probably be best served by NOT viewing them. I'm genuinely not out to offend anyone.
Cheers,
Jamie
_________________
Home of Dangerously-Stupid Science Demonstrations and Things 'Splodey!
Slightly-Mad Science Blog
Slightly-Mad Science Home |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
| 425 Chaotic Requisition |
| Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 5:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
The Doctor
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 2684
Location: UKGBNI, England, Derbyshire
|
Welcome to the forum Jamie  .
_________________
"There is no knowledge, that is not power" - Ralph Waldo Emerson. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Ophiolite |
| Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 6:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
Forum Radioactive Isotope
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
Posts: 4020
Location: Scotland
|
Welcome to the forum.
Your volunteer experiences sound interesting. I bet you got great reactions from the pupils.
_________________
The Universe is not only weirder than we imagine it is weirder than we can imagine. J.B.S.Haldane. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Slightlymadscience |
| Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 7:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
Forum Freshman
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Posts: 7
|
| Ophiolite wrote: |
Welcome to the forum.
Your volunteer experiences sound interesting. I bet you got great reactions from the pupils. |
Best: When I did high voltage demonstrations, many ooohs and aaahs.
Worst: When I demonstrated solvents, I got a couple catcalls ("this is boring") while explaining it, until I poured Acetone into a 40 oz jar full of styrofoam pellets and they dissolved instantly. Then I had their attention. 
Now I take my laptop with me to the one-on-one mentoring sessions, and show my mentee (and a few other students the videos), as some of them have interest in making online videos and such.
_________________
Home of Dangerously-Stupid Science Demonstrations and Things 'Splodey!
Slightly-Mad Science Blog
Slightly-Mad Science Home |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Selene |
| Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
Forum Ph.D.
Joined: 04 Feb 2008
Posts: 843
Location: I live in Bertrand Russells teapot!
|
Hi Jamie
I hope you are as mad as you say you are.
We need a little more madness here.
Most seem to try too hard not to be, but they can't fool me!
Try this experiment of bodily perception
cross your middle finger over your index finger and rub your nose with both
It will feel like you have got two noses!!!!
_________________
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Ape will always mock the scribe, for in his very words the truth will hide.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Slightlymadscience |
| Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
Forum Freshman
Joined: 31 Mar 2008
Posts: 7
|
| Selene wrote: |
Hi Jamie
I hope you are as mad as you say you are.
We need a little more madness here.
Most seem to try too hard not to be, but they can't fool me!
Try this experiment of bodily perception
cross your middle finger over your index finger and rub your nose with both
It will feel like you have got two noses!!!!
|
I doubt my madness is ever likely to go away. I think I was actually MADDER when I was younger.
Neat trick! That reminds me of Fact Cow tons of weird "body tricks." That stuff is great.
_________________
Home of Dangerously-Stupid Science Demonstrations and Things 'Splodey!
Slightly-Mad Science Blog
Slightly-Mad Science Home |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| h2so4hurts |
| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Forum Freshman
Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 48
Location: Iowa City, IA
|
I'm jealous Jamie, maybe in a few years I can mentor kids too. That'd be sweet!
_________________
H2SO4HURTS
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Cuntinuum |
| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Forum Sophomore
Joined: 30 Jan 2008
Posts: 133
|
| Selene wrote: |
Hi Jamie
I hope you are as mad as you say you are.
We need a little more madness here.
Most seem to try too hard not to be, but they can't fool me!
Try this experiment of bodily perception
cross your middle finger over your index finger and rub your nose with both
It will feel like you have got two noses!!!!
|
It's really not madness Selene, you just come off creepy honestly. I don't know what it is that gives you that vibe.
_________________
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
| Selene |
| Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Forum Ph.D.
Joined: 04 Feb 2008
Posts: 843
Location: I live in Bertrand Russells teapot!
|
| Cuntinuum wrote: |
| Selene wrote: |
Hi Jamie
I hope you are as mad as you say you are.
We need a little more madness here.
Most seem to try too hard not to be, but they can't fool me!
Try this experiment of bodily perception
cross your middle finger over your index finger and rub your nose with both
It will feel like you have got two noses!!!!
|
It's really not madness Selene, you just come off creepy honestly. I don't know what it is that gives you that vibe. |
Creepy?
What the hell are you going on about
I'm talking about a good kind of madness. The kind that's an intelligent madness
But i often wonder if some on this site have all the faculties in place in their minds
_________________
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Ape will always mock the scribe, for in his very words the truth will hide.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
