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Police Called Over 11-Year-Old's Science Project
garg0yle writes "Police in San Diego were called to investigate an 11-year-old's science project, consisting of 'a motion detector made out of an empty Gatorade bottle and some electronics,' after the vice-principal came to the conclusion that it was a bomb. Charges aren't being laid against the youth, but it's being recommended that he and his family 'get counseling.' Apparently, the student violated school policies — I'm assuming these are policies against having any kind of independent thought?"
Not "principle" -- "principal". Get some vocabulary!
Where does South Dakota come into this story? San Diego on the other hand...
I rooted the school server and regularly let the admin know about exploits that could compromize security when in high school :-p
He didnt care that I had access as I was not in any way malicious in what I did...
I've brought electronics projects to school all through my school years and never had an issue with it... Glad I dont live in the US..
"What's the student supposed to get counseling for?"
To cover the principal's arse, again.
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? - Pink Floyd.
Sounds to me like one of those old b-rated Sci-Fi movies:
Taking the same thing into airport likely will make you see some real hard time vs what this kid got.
Perhaps the new rule should be : Thou shall make no device that your principal can not understand".
I'll bet what really happened was that the kid made what is called a trembler which is sometimes used by bomb builders to create a trigger if any movement what so ever occurs to the bomb. There are legitimate uses of tremblers which include keeping large fans from destroying everything in sight if they get out of balance. These normally have a drop of mercury sitting in a tiny dimple such that shaking cause the droplet to lift out of the dimple and complete a circuit between two plates of metal, one above and one below the droplet. Obviously ideas like a pendulum can also be used. An 11 year old coming up with an actual, useful and proven device is wonderful. He may have had an interest in earthquake detection or many other legitimate pursuits.
The real problem is lawsuits. If the school officials get it wrong (and lets face it school kids HAVE attacked their school in the past) then they are sued, so nobody plays it safe anymore.
Citation Please?
One of the reason the US medical bill is through the roof is that because if a patient demands X procedure while the doctor knows it is silly, he gets it, because else he might sue.
Your Proof (aka "Citation Please")
Calling the people involved stupid is the easy lazy answer.
Where the stupidity comes in, is that even after they've determined that it was not a bomb, and was, in fact, a perfectly legitimate, creative, and somewhat sophisticated "SCIENCE FAIR PROJECT", that was COMPLETELY SAFE, they still have the absolutle stupidity and GAUL to recommend that he and his family GET COUNSELING! For that alone, the prinicipal, the schoolboard, and anyone else who is supporting that recommendation, up to and including any politicians or police officials, should immediately LOSE THEIR FUCKING JOB and if anything, they should be the ones getting counseling (preferrably by getting ASS RAPED in Prison by the Black Panthers!)
Over-the-top Response Guy! Giving "Over-the-Top Responses" since 1970.
NoReaction+Bomb is the worst outcome, yes, but its astonishingly unlikely. Getting hit by lightning in your office likely.
Maybe. Maybe not.
A 13-year-old elementary school student had "second thoughts" that stopped him from setting off pipe bombs in his Courtice school. The bomb squad examined explosives found in the boy's home and said they would have caused significant damage. [They] wouldn't say how many explosive devices -- which he apparently learned how to make from the Internet -- were seized. 'Second thoughts' halt school bomb plot [Jan 14]
This piece is a little dated - but still suggestive:
Data on bomb incidents (any event in which an actual bomb or bomb look-alike is involved) and bomb threats (any event in which a bomb threat is communicated that may or may not involve an actual bomb or bomb look-alike) are limited. The FBI reports that close to 5 percent of bombing incidents in the United States in 1999 were targeted at schools. It is unknown what portion of these incidents involved threats. For the period January 1990 to February 28, 2002 the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recorded 1,055 incidents of bombs being placed in school premises. Again, we do not know what proportion of these incidents involved threats. For the most part, however, it is probably reasonable to conclude that bomb incidents involving real bombs in schools are relatively rare, though they have been with us for quite some time. Furthermore, relatively few bomb explosions are preceded by a warning or threat to officials. Of the 1,055 bomb incidents in schools reported by ATF, only 14 were accompanied by a warning to school or other authorities.
The first known school bombing occurred in May 1927 in Bath, Michigan. A local farmer blew up the school, killing 38 pupils, six adults and seriously injuring 40 other students. The Problem of Bomb Threats in Schools
I actually read TFA, and it states, as the summary quotes, "Apparently, the student violated school policies", but the article doesn't state the policy in question. It is hard to know if this is a case of stupid overreaction or a real violation of the rules. Does anyone know the exact wording of this "policy"?
"Under no circumstance shall the student, by action or inaction, directly or indirectly, cause school administration, faculty or staff to appear inept, hysterical or foolish, whether this is or is not the intent of the student."
I am not a crackpot.
This has to end! Since 9/11, PARANOIA has completely taken over in the USA!! Al Quaida must be SO happy-as their terrorism has certainly succeeded FAR more then in their wildest dreams! The single best thing we could have done was give the third FINGER to Al Quaida, and gone about our normal business. But we STUPID Americans did not-and now we're a scared bunch of wussies for it!!!
heh. "victory", huh? I don't think that word means what you think it means.
I'm sure Osama Bin laden is sitting in a cave right now yelling:
"OMG guys, did j00 see this? A teacher in Amerikkka called da cops on sum kid! Allahu Akbar, victory is ours! Our Jihad is over!"
Of course, this event will shortly be followed by President Obama handing over the keys to the Whitehouse, and the entire US population converting to Islam. Truly a great day for the Caliphate.
Because not only are 99.999% of those who go after the job of high school principal power hungry monsters, but they are the utterly inept power hungry monsters, else they they would have a different job with more status. Basically, most principals are like Gilbert Gottfried in Problem Child 2
You missed the third line.
Whoosh.
I'm sure these people are devastated that a Random Slashdot Troll doesn't rate their intelligence...
If we can put a man on the moon, why can't we shoot people for Apollo-related non-sequiturs?
Idiot. Teaching is not an 'easy' job. My wife teaches 9-10 year olds in the UK, and is normally working till 8 or 9 in the evening with marking, planning, and preparing materials. It might help to know something before you start typing.
If we can put a man on the moon, why can't we shoot people for Apollo-related non-sequiturs?