Engagement activity

The other day I had present an engagement activity to the rest of my science class.  I showed the class that gravity needed air to work.  I had a bottle with a hole in it and when I filled it with water the water ran out of the hole.  Just what you would expect right.  Next I filled up a bottle and put the lid on it; then I put a hole in it.  The water did now run out until I loosened the lid to let air into the bottle, which pushed the water out of the hole.  Some classmates were amazed; in fact I was the first time I did it.

Then a classmate asked me if that worked “for beer darts I mean Coke darts”.  I was unsure.  To try to answer the question my professor went to the next room and got a can of  Sprite.  The class concensus was that the pop would not leak out until I popped the lid.  So I lined up the can with the sink so that it would run into the sink if it did leak.  I put the hole in the side and the pop sprayed out like a jet across the room hitting a classmate about eight feet away.  I quickly tipped the can into the sink and the rest of the can leaked out of the can.  The funniest think was that not a drop got on the floor; it was spraying that fast.  I guess it was the carbonation which made it spray?  I do not really know.  One classmate said that it would not spray if I would have put the hole in the bottom.  I now have more question then answers.  I guess that is what science is about; trying to solve mysteries, but always ending up with more questions.  Now that I think about it that it what education is all about; more questions then answers.

Darin

Playground Wisdom 3 and 4

3. “Reach for the Stars”

I reach for the stars every day.  To me, reaching for the stars right now is just trying to keep up with family, school, and Scouts; you know, life in general.  Some days I do not know how I am going to make it through; there is too much to do.  Too many commitments and not enough hours in the day.  But, I am succeeding.  I am getting what needs to be done done.  It may take me longer, or I may have to choose not to do some readings.  I am reaching for the stars everyday because I am a husband, a parent with two kids, a student, a Scout leader, a Group Commissioner, and now on my way to being a Scout leader trainer.  Back when I decided to go to university you should have seen some of my family member’s faces of disbelief.  Darin in university was not a vision of many.  I reached for university and made it in, and everyday here I am reaching for something that years back many people and myself never thought possible.  If I aim high and know in my heart and mind that I can accomplish it; I can reach and touch the stars.

4. “One step at a time…You’ll get there”

On the whiteboard in my office I have all my assignments and readings listed for each week of the semester.  I look at it and I am overwhelmed.  But what a great feeling to cross something off of it.  One thing done; the empty space at the top is getting larger and larger.  The space shows me that I am getting some where.  I may have a ton of assignments left, but I sure love the empty space at the top.  I am getting better at breaking up my assignments into workable chunks.  It is those workable chunks that are making the space at the top become larger.  One step at a time/one chunk at a time and I will get there.  Even if it only means the end of a semester, with every semester ending I am one semester closer to my degree.  For a guy who slept and failed his way through high school classes; I think I am doing okay.  Just had to decide to make that first step.

Darin