My Other Hat

     Recently, over a very nice dinner at Tiramisu Trattoria in La Mesa, California, Keith Clark, bemused by my equal opportunity involvement with science and religion,
suggested I write about my many years with the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair(GSDSEF), a “companion piece,” as it were, to my article, “Dream Along With Me:  Following God’s Path.*” Here, then, is the story of my other “hat.”

     It was all my 10-year-old’s fault…all of it!

     Rushing in after school, Karen first grabbed a cookie then asked to visit the Science Fair, which was, she said, “happening” in San Diego’s Balboa Park.

     “Fine, dear,” I replied, “What’s a science fair?”

     With that my fate was sealed. 

     Our visit was quite productive.  Karen took the first step on the road to becoming one of the Fair’s biggest winners; Mom saw magazine articles in every project and added new dimensions to her writing career. 

     As Karen’s involvement grew, I, her chauffeur, spent a lot of time at the Fair.  This led to making the classic mistake of saying to exactly the wrong person, “I’m here, what can I do?”  I soon found out.  That was 42 years ago.  Today I hold the title Vice-President, School Relations in this wonderful all-volunteer program for 7th through 12th graders in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

     But, back to my original question – what’s a science fair? 

     “A science fair is ‘book learning’ put to work, an outward expression of what has been called the ‘need’ for students…’to get their hands dirty, to have their minds disturbed by science.’

     As I wrote some years ago in the GSDSEF’s Science Fair Handbook, “A dramatic display of young people’s knowledge, creativity and originality, it is also a built-in, ‘natural’ way to ‘turn kids on, to expose them to the excitement of learning and involve them in the satisfying and rewarding process of working out answers for themselves.


     “It is many things – or, more accurately, many people.  It’s the students who devote not just hours and days, but weeks, months and, frequently, years to scientific research…students whose interests range from eidetic imagery, plasma physics and autism to artificial harbors, synthetic skin and nitrogen lasers.  It is teachers, too, teachers who stress scientific inquiry, who emphasize learning and then encourage students to correlate the results of that learning into science fair projects.  It is those supportive parents who allow, even enjoy, white mice in the family room, smelly chemicals on the kitchen drain board and nasty-tempered pelicans on the patio.  And, finally, representing area businesses, research facilities, universities, school districts and military and professional organizations, it’s the hundreds of men and women who, from behind the scenes, keep the Fair running smoothly.

     “Science fair emphasis is on ‘doing’ – individual, in-depth investigation – and communication, the ability to explain concepts, procedures and results in clear , precise terms, to answer questions which probe far beyond the ‘hows’ of a project into the ‘whys’ and ‘what ifs.’  There’s a lot of hard work involved in this approach, a lot of try, try and try again, and that requires motivation.  But, once started, there’s no holding these students back, no stopping them.”

     No stopping them…As the Cowardly Lion exclaimed, upon receiving his “Courage” medal in The Wizard of Oz, “Ain't it the truth, ain't it the truth!"  For example, a survey of past winners conducted for the Fair’s 25th anniversary in 1979 revealed that 80% of them were in science-related fields and some 80% of those were in fields directly related to the project work they had done as teens.  And, as for the numbers of advanced degrees they had earned – WOW!  Similar figures were noted in our 1989 and 1994 surveys.

     Equally important and meaningful were the comments made by those former exhibitors who credit the GSDSEF, which was for them both spur and showcase, with starting them on the road to success - AND the information gathered about those who are poets, artists, theologians, chefs, attorneys, etc.  One of those theologians, by the way is Karen, whose acceptance to seminary was accompanied by a note that the selection had been made in part on her science fair experience, which had taught her to “think logically.”

     What of me?  Starting with those early articles about exhibitors, most of which appeared in church magazines, the GSDSEF has added fun, adventure and opportunity to my life.  Moving from “lending a hand” to being a member of the Management Committee, screening projects (selecting those to compete in the Fair), organizing the screening, writing materials, working with the Student Advisory Board (the Fair’s Honor Society), processing applications and working the Fair itself to, finally, joining its Board of Directors, I have worn a variety of hats (yes, I’ve covered tables and swept floors), have learned a lot, met an amazing number of wonderful people and had a ball! 

     In an era of questions and doubts about the future of education, of our country, of our world, the young people of the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair - and their counterparts throughout the world - are the promise of tomorrow.  They are THE FUTURE.

     They’re also good for the soul!  I tip my hat to them.

     Speaking of that hat – putting it back on my head, I invite you to visit the 56th Annual Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair at the Balboa Park Activity Center (2145 Park Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92101) March 25 – 28, 2010.  The Fair is open to the public during the following days and times:

Thursday –  10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday –      10:00 am –  3:00 pm
Saturday –    9:30 am –  4:30 pm
Sunday –     10:00 am –  3:00 pm
Admission Free

See you there!