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LABRats: The Mad Scientist's Club Meets Scouting
Some random reader sent in this note: "The Society for Amateur Scientists (SAS), an organization that exists to help those with a love of science make new discoveries, has launched a youth program called LABRats to help young people do real science. There's a white paper available describing the program, which is something of a cross between the Mad Scientist's Club and the Boy/Girl Scouts. The idea is to train a small army of young scientists and engineers, 12-18 years old, to do experiments and solve problems in their communities by teaming them up with adult scientist/engineer mentors. Those who advance through the ranks of the program would have to complete a series of experiments, projects, and other tasks that demonstrate proficiency in the basics of science and engineering. The creators -- including Shawn Carlson, a MacArthur Fellow -- aim to make the highest rank comparable in difficulty to Eagle Scout. One of the SAS local chapters in Connecticut built an astronomical observatory, which was used by high school student Lisa Glukhovsky to measure the distance to near-earth asteroids. She was one of three Grand Prize winners in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for 2003. It sounds like a great idea to me. Sure, I'm a little worried that a few misguided youth might take the program's motto -- "Do the experiment!" -- a bit too literally when working on their Nuclear Engineering merit badge. But then again, maybe someday a LABRat will spot an asteroid with our name on it -- and tell NASA."
I really like the outline but am not sure how I feel about "no mixed gender groups". I can see the point about social issues interfering with the kids learning, but I just have to think that a girls group would end up a bit more neglected or simply non-existant.
I would love to volunteer time for such an organization to help local kids, but am not sure I could get behind that limitation. It's still very conceptual though, who knows if they will get anywhere.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Here's an idea, let's screw up these kids intellectually from an early age by imprinting them to think science/ technology/ learning and "geeky" things are things that boys and girls do separately.
If you ask me this is going to exacerbate the problem that once the college age is reached, girls tend to feel uncomfortable in the male-dominated science / CS / engineering programs because they feel like poorly-integrated outsiders.
I got started in electronics at age 12 thru Ham Radio. Mentors kept me on track and I decided electronics was for me. I went through University and got a degree as an electronic engineer and never lost the spirit of discovery. This sure beats most of the half-baked ideas that the educrats are having on the burner now.
Best
TG
Can gay atheists apply?
I agree, you can't separate women and men forever. Mixed groups at an early age are a good way to learn that everyone can work together, and in a controlled environment the typical societal roles can be clamped down. Especially in a scientific setting, which tends to be more gender neutral anyway. Smart is smart no matter the packaging.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
I started the "Society for Amature Radio Scientists", but for some reason, no one wanted to join.
CAn'T CompreHend SARcaSm?
Having been a boyscout from gradeschool to 18 and then having lived in both coed and single sex floors in dorms, I think segregating the sexes is a bad idea. Its bad for the females as another poster stated in that because if you have 6 boys and 2 girls interested, the boys chapter will get more resources and be more stable, while the 2 young ladies will have less resources and may not have enough numbers to maintain stability.
On the other side, having women around helps moderate / civilize young men. All male groups (from my observation as a male) tend to be less moral, less careful, less considerate and less clean. I think I learned the majority of the dirty jokes I know (especially the sexist or racist ones) in boyscouts, and the behavior of hallmates was much better on the co-ed floor than the all male one.
just my 2 cents.