Kids and science:
As promised last Friday, today we report the results of our investigation of the solubility properties of an avocado. To get the disappointment out of the way up front, we will not be reporting Ks.p. values. Since we had some...
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Posted on May 9, 2008 1:06 PM • 21 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Captivated by the colors I saw, I took this picture today. Any guesses as to what it is?...
Posted on May 3, 2008 9:14 PM • 14 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
This Friday we're reporting on one of the experiments we were looking forward to last Friday, the one in which milk is curdled. (We'll report on our experimental attempts to dissolve an avocado next Friday.) We started with a...
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Posted on May 2, 2008 1:17 PM • 11 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Elder offspring: [Dr. Free-Ride's better half] said we're going to do some experiments this weekend. Dr. Free-Ride: Oh really? Do you know what the experiments will be, or are you going to make them up as you go? Younger...
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Posted on April 25, 2008 10:00 AM • 13 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
The foreshadowing last week was accurate. This week, we offer a review of Tentacles! Tales of the Giant Squid by Shirley Raye Redmond with illustrations by Bryn Barnard. Younger offspring: We should talk about my new squid book for the...
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Posted on April 18, 2008 1:23 PM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Sometimes a kid grabs the colored pencils and ends up with a picture of an octopus. Judging by its color, the octopus is not angry. This unsolicited picture may be foreshadowing. Younger offspring recently got a chapter book about giant...
Posted on April 11, 2008 1:39 PM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
The Free-Ride offspring have been considering careers. This past week, they both got excited about the prospect of becoming veterinarians. Elder offspring: I think I might want to be a veterinarian when I grow up. Dr. Free-Ride: You could do...
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Posted on April 11, 2008 12:40 PM • 14 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
The Free-Ride offspring were on spring break last week. Since their mother was digging herself out of a pit of grading, they got to visit the Grandparents Who Lurk But Seldom Comment. Apparently it wasn't all playing bucking broncos with...
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Posted on April 4, 2008 12:13 PM • 7 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Getting inside the head of a kid trying to get inside the head of an animal.
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Posted on March 28, 2008 12:13 PM • 6 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Do you ever suspect that kids save their best questions for just before "goodnight" as a delaying tactic? Or is there some other plausible explanation for a kid regularly entering into deeply interesting territory on the way to dream time?...
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Posted on March 21, 2008 12:02 PM • 10 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Following up on an earlier post, I wanted to say a little about the Synopsis Championship that took place last week. It's sort of a judge's-eye view of the fair -- from a very enthusiastic and impressed judge....
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Posted on March 17, 2008 8:27 PM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
News of drugs in the water supply can get a kid worried.
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Posted on March 14, 2008 12:22 PM • 9 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Last weekend the weather got sunny and warm here, so the Free-Ride parental units decided it was appropriate to lead the Free-Ride offspring on a forced march along the creek. Somehow, the sprogs didn't get the memo that it...
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Posted on March 7, 2008 12:59 PM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Speaking of science fairs, if you know of kids (grades 5-12) in the San Francisco Bay Area who are looking for a challenge, this one might be of interest: It is not too late to participate in this year's Tech...
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Posted on March 6, 2008 1:19 PM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
For readers in the greater San Jose (California) region, I wanted to pass along a call for judges for the Synopsis Championship, scheduled to take place next Wednesday, March 12. Judges will be doing their thing from noon to 4:30...
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Posted on March 6, 2008 12:05 PM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
With kids who don't seem to be getting any younger, the issue doesn't feel abstract at all.
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Posted on March 4, 2008 11:08 PM • 18 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Janet D. Stemwedel (whose nom de blog is Dr. Free-Ride) is an assistant professor of philosophy at San Jose State University. Before becoming a philosopher, she earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry. Email her at dr.freeride@gmail.com.
