Science is Fun

Science is about curiosity. Science provides methods and techniques to learn about the world around us. Science is about asking questions. How does our world work? Why does it work the way that it does?

Science also is FUN!

Michael McKelvy and David Wright are trying to spread that message to young students across the Phoenix metropolitan area. Their Science is Fun program is based on a series of demonstrations taken directly to the schools.

Undergraduate student interns from Arizona State University and scientists themselves demonstrate basic concepts in a fun, fast-paced format.

McKelvy is a senior research scientist and the director of ASU’s Goldwater Materials Science Laboratories. Wright is an associate research professional and program instructor at ASU’s Center for Solid State Science. McKelvy says the Science is Fun program is designed to strip away some of the myths surrounding the work of scientists.

“Science can be difficult. Sure. But it also can be lots of fun,” he says. “We try to provide positive role models for the students. We want to show them how much fun it is to learn about the world around us.”

McKelvy and Wright have been doing science demonstrations for students and lay audiences for more than 10 years. In 2000, more than 10,000 Arizona students saw their demonstrations. The program continues to gain popularity.

McKelvy hopes to expand the program to meet growing demand. Wright and McKelvy train undergraduate student interns from ASU’s Service Learning Program. The university students receive course credit through the program. They also receive a unique hands-on opportunity to learn and grow as they spread the word about science to youngsters.

The Science is Fun programs demonstrate “FUN-damental” principles of physical science by exploring the behavior of light, matter, and heat. Presentations are typically for classroom groups of 30 or more and last about an hour.—Conrad J. Storad