DavePrime - 12 October 2009 05:01 PM

How about teaching kids that they will know the truth of physics or chemistry by a “burning in their bosom”?  

With physics or chemistry, that’s a very real literal possibility. . . 

“No, Timmy, don’t swallow those pure sodium pellets-. . .oh well.  Never mind.  Class, watch Timmy now and learn about violently exothermic reactions.”

Accipiter - 12 October 2009 07:13 PM

DavePrime - 12 October 2009 05:01 PM

How about teaching kids that they will know the truth of physics or chemistry by a “burning in their bosom”?  

With physics or chemistry, that’s a very real literal possibility. . . 

“No, Timmy, don’t swallow those pure sodium pellets-. . .oh well.  Never mind.  Class, watch Timmy now and learn about violently exothermic reactions.”

I miss the way we used to learn from chemistry…..sodium shavings in the sink or damp garbage can…..mercury to play with….chemicals in chemistry sets that actually could make something go BOOM!!.

We have overprotected ourselves into mediocrity….

DavePrime - 12 October 2009 09:51 PM

Accipiter - 12 October 2009 07:13 PM

DavePrime - 12 October 2009 05:01 PM

How about teaching kids that they will know the truth of physics or chemistry by a “burning in their bosom”?  

With physics or chemistry, that’s a very real literal possibility. . . 

“No, Timmy, don’t swallow those pure sodium pellets-. . .oh well.  Never mind.  Class, watch Timmy now and learn about violently exothermic reactions.”

 

I miss the way we used to learn from chemistry…..sodium shavings in the sink or damp garbage can…..mercury to play with….chemicals in chemistry sets that actually could make something go BOOM!!.

We have overprotected ourselves into mediocrity….

I dunno, when I took Chem three years ago we did some cool experiments including making sparklers out of a piece of coat hanger and some goop we mixed up ourselves. Another time, we lit a piece of magnesium on fire. My lab partner and I were not sure what would happen and watched very closely for what we expected to be a subtle reaction. As soon as we regained our sight, the first thing we saw was the line in the lab instructions: Do not look directly at the lit magnesium!

ZeldaQueen - 12 October 2009 10:57 PM

Another time, we lit a piece of magnesium on fire. My lab partner and I were not sure what would happen and watched very closely for what we expected to be a subtle reaction. As soon as we regained our sight, the first thing we saw was the line in the lab instructions: Do not look directly at the lit magnesium!

So now you can tell all the religious folks that you “saw the light” in chemistry class!

Accipiter - 13 October 2009 10:14 PM

ZeldaQueen - 12 October 2009 10:57 PM

Another time, we lit a piece of magnesium on fire. My lab partner and I were not sure what would happen and watched very closely for what we expected to be a subtle reaction. As soon as we regained our sight, the first thing we saw was the line in the lab instructions: Do not look directly at the lit magnesium!

So now you can tell all the religious folks that you “saw the light” in chemistry class!

Ah, so that’s what they’re referring to. Hark, the solution to the science/religion in public schools debate may yet have been solved!

Call Jack Chick!

Accipiter - 12 October 2009 02:35 AM

Yeah, a lot of activists are very much in favour of freedom of personal choice. . .so long as everybody chooses to act and believe exactly as that activist says they should.  Try to practice your freedom to believe in something else, and the activist suddenly cries about how it’s immoral or illegal or whatever.

I wonder what the people who complain that religion ought to be taught in science classes would think about having their church services interrupted to present lessons on modern evolutionary theory?  Pretty much every single argument that they make in favour of the one idea is also just as valid for the other.

I went to a Christian high school, I was basically sent there by my folks, there was some debate to include biblical doctrine in some subjects and to omitt some theories or schools of thought from others. Long story short , it was found that the students were suffering and could not compete academically with the rest of the state, and was soon returned to the uniform syllabus.

At the end of the day the basic foundation principals of most universally accepted religions, i.e be good to others , love thy neighbour, all the intrinsically good qualities that are taught are all pretty cool.

It is when fundamentalists , of any religion , start applying their beliefs in a way that encroaches on peoples, lifestyle, well being , comfort zones or normal way of life that segregation, anger, angst and frustration start to manifest themselves and can cause diharmony in small groups , communties and even countries.

Live and let live, it doesn’t matter whether you go over the bridge , under the bridge , just as long as you get there.

Here in Australia we are finding more and more that christian fundamentalists are really having a negative inpact on families in the community. Too many people are sucked into this quasi theatrical worship type format, that after a while are almost trained into pushing the ultra conservative and quite confronting ideas onto friends and family , eventually alienating themselves from their normal life. When the lights and theatrics have gone, sometimes there is noone to pick up the pieces. It is a real shame , I reckon everything in moderation.

There ! I have had my spleen vent!