You might be the parent of a science nerd if the following 10 things go on in your house:
1. You come home from shopping and the following conversation occurs:
Parent: Why is there dirt baking in the oven?
Child: I’m sterilizing dirt for science.
2. You tweet, “I wonder what construction is happening upstairs but I’m too afraid to ask.” Your child responds to the tweet with: “Oh, that’s just me shaving my magnesium block.” (You know, as you do.)
3. You walk into the bathroom to see the following:
4. Your child never uses the generic names for household items. It’s always things like: NaCl, Na2CO3, 570-590 nm, etc.
5. You hear an, “Oh, crap!” Followed by running footsteps to the bathroom. Followed by somewhat calmer footsteps descending the stairs. Followed by, “I think I need to go to the emergency room.”
6. You tell your child, “Hey! You dropped some of your science on the floor. You need to clean it up.” Upon showing your child where, in a very dire tone they respond, “Oh. That’s not good!” Upon your child learning someone stepped on it, the following is said in a very serious tone, “You should probably go to the doctor for that.”
7. You ask your child what they are making, and they respond with some of the following in an “as you do” tone: Copper (II) Chloride, Copper (II) Acetate, Magnesium Chloride, Ethyl acetate, and Iron (III) Chloride
8. Your child has chemicals they purchased online held for weeks at Customs while they test it for drugs, anthrax, and other dangerous substances that come in a fine white powder.
9. You can’t find side burner, pots, and measuring cups because they are currently in use, because science.
10. The following happens on a regular basis at midnight on your porch:
If you are the parent of a science nerd, what are some other signs?
This post inspired by the actions of Kid1.
We have an aspiring aerospace engineer, and we have PILES upon PILES of test paper airplanes throughout the house.
When we work with students at MakerBloks, we sometimes see a few sparks and arcs, but nothing serious since we works with so little power… At home it’s another thing! 😉