The effect/impression we leave of our young people

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Last weekend we had the extended family over for a roast on the BBQ. Got the 16" out to have a look at the moon to show the younger kids, all completely fascinated by the closeup views.

Fast forward 5 days later, a report back about a 2yo neice from day care
"and what did you do on the weekend Elouise?"
"I saw da mmmmmooooonnnnnn wit Teva!!"

She couldn't keep away from the scope all night.

[h0ughy (David)]

love it!! not all kids re quick to pick up though, but you appreciate the ones that do

[sheeny (Al)]

Al.

[Peter.M]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

Hopefully with this experience you have seeded her with a desire to study science when she gets older. Sadly I believe Science & Mathematics are a dying subject in todays school cirriculum, giving way to social science and environment subjects. These new subjects aren't bad it is just they have pushed the classic science subjects aside as being irrelevant.

Sorry Trevor for the rant, anyway it must feel good to have left an everlasting experience on someone Kids are such sponges for learning and experiencing new things.

I spent some time behind a refractor as a kid, and when I finished school (having studied physics and chemistry) I went and completed my bachelor degree in analytical chemistry. I can comment for at least Adelaide that there are no jobs in science. I would have to do a PHD and be very lucky to get a job out of it. If someone told me that I could give them 6-8 years (including the phd time) and around 30 grand for a CHANCE at a mediocre paying job I would probably have not done my degree in the first place.

It makes me angry when people suggest that science is dying out as a subject. The reason it is is because no one is paying the scientists in the first place. If I became an electrician after school (which was my second preference) I would have earned money for 4 years in an apprenticeship, had no HELP debt, and currently be earning 3-4 times what I do in my science related job.

I have friends who have spent the last 10 years of their lives in university and I have one friend who is a trade electrician now. The last time we all met up the electrician was earning our 3 wages combined, I looked around the table and said "who is the smart person here?".

I have to say that my experience as a child having my own telescope and microscope moved me into the field that I am in today. For the most part I love what I do. I love reading about the latest discovery in cosmology or physics and expanding my mind to the realms of possibility. But as long as chemistry can be dumbed down to a baking recipe the corporate world will pay people with no qualifications to do it.

[sjastro]

Originally Posted by Peter.M

........It makes me angry when people suggest that science is dying out as a subject. The reason it is is because no one is paying the scientists in the first place......

Its not really surprising given the percentage of GDP invested in R&D in Australia is very low compared to the OECD average.

It is a reflection of our institutionalized behaviour of idolizing athletes and celebrities while those who make a positive contribution to society, our successful scientists and engineers are ignored or even vilified.

My pet hate is how we describe ourselves as the "Clever Country", a perfect example of an oxymoron.

Regards

Steven

[BPO]

Originally Posted by sjastro

It is a reflection of our institutionalized behaviour of idolizing athletes and celebrities while those who make a positive contribution to society, our successful scientists and engineers are ignored or even vilified.

^This^

100% this.

My pet hate is how we describe ourselves as the "Clever Country", a perfect example of an oxymoron.

If it's any consolation, there's always been plenty of that same sports and celebrity worship and imbecilic self-satisfied smugness on parade over here in NZ, too.

Actually, I guess that's no consolation at all.

[TrevorW]

Yeah annoys me how drug addicted cashed up football players are glorified and given every opportunity to redeem themselves while others less fortunate would be left to die in the streets.

[JB80 (Jarrod)]

If there was a like button I'd like your post Trevor, too true.

My youngest(2yo) got his first look through a telescope at the Moon a couple of nights ago when I unpacked my gear for a first light in Spain.
The Moon is now his favourite thing.

The eldest who is 4 is also bugging me for a telescope for Christmas so I'm thinking a SW Heritage or Virtuoso.

I think while they are showing an interest it would be neglectful not to try and nuture it without pushing it onto them.

Heres a pic of the little guy having is first look at the Moon, chicken pox and all.

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by JB80

If there was a like button I'd like your post Trevor, too true.

My youngest(2yo) got his first look through a telescope at the Moon a couple of nights ago when I unpacked my gear for a first light in Spain.
The Moon is now his favourite thing.

The eldest who is 4 is also bugging me for a telescope for Christmas so I'm thinking a SW Heritage or Virtuoso.

I think while they are showing an interest it would be neglectful not to try and nuture it without pushing it onto them.

Heres a pic of the little guy having is first look at the Moon, chicken pox and all.

Awww that is so cute Jarrod...nice way to bring the thread back on topic.

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by Peter.M

The last time we all met up the electrician was earning our 3 wages combined, I looked around the table and said "who is the smart person here?".

Would you seriously be happy spending your life as a sparky if your love was science ? Work satisfaction is not about money ....I've lived for years below the official poverty line to do the work I love ...

[JB80 (Jarrod)]

Originally Posted by Hans Tucker

Awww that is so cute Jarrod...nice way to bring the thread back on topic.

Cheers Hans, the only way to keep him still enough for a good photo is to keep him busy.

[RobF (Rob)]

My young kids always get excited if I set the Newt up in the backyard - "can we see the EYE Dad!?"

(They're convinced there is a big eye that lives in there - its quite clearly visible if you look into the focuser without an eyepiece )

[bigjoe (JOSEPH)]

With MEADE in trouble, ( and maybe others to follow in the near

future ) as an example, and the young only in the minority taking up science,

WE all have some responsibility to save science , particularly Astronomy.

Try and get a kid interested (just don't let them know they could be a Phd pauper )

in thinking scientifically, if you can.

Give them math puzzles to solve ( Feynman attributed his soaring

intellect to this ).

YES ! Mediocrity is encouraged , even worshipped worldwide ( after all, it is usually highly paid).

Kids are impressionable, so Cox, NDT, ARE the right kind of people to encourage them also.

PS : ALL THESE ASTRO mobile phone APPS, YOUTUBE ETC, showing just

about all to do with the sky, could make VISUAL ASTRONOMY A

REDUNDANT EXERCISE in the eyes of kids.

LETS HOPE NOT !

CHEERS BIGJOE.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

The enthusiasm of kids is so refreshing. It's lovely to remember a time when the world was so new and full of wonder. One of the great things to hear at public nights is "Dad! Dad!!! I saw Jupiter!"

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Would you seriously be happy spending your life as a sparky if your love was science ? Work satisfaction is not about money ....I've lived for years below the official poverty line to do the work I love ...

Quite true. Before I went to uni I spent some time in 'blue collar' jobs and was like a fish out of water. Not so much that I hated the work (but that too at times) but I just didn't fit in. At one place I was nick-named 'the professor' because I knew so much more than anyone else - although at the time I had only high school science and my love of astronomy. I also found I didn't fit in culturally - music, art, reading etc. I'm still a bit of an odd bod here but not nearly to the same degree. Of course the downside of working yourself into a specialist niche job is that when it turns sour there is absolutely no where to go.