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Biological Diversity and Birthday Parties
Feb. 13th, 2010 03:52 pmBusy Saturday!
The kids and I met with friends and toured The Ohio State University's Museum of Biological Diversity this morning, for their once a year open house. This is where grad students show off their projects, and science majors show off bugs and microscopes and DNA labs and so on.
Dino impressed one of the scientists in the microscope-arachnid-spider room. He evidently correctly identified obscure insect parts on the queen termite (giant pale hotdog bug, ugh) and got into an intricate discussion about microbes. The scientist sought me out, intent on making certain I knew my child was smart. He means it. My son is really smart - smarter than 95% of the college students he teaches, and Dino was interested in prepared bacteria slides for the microscope, and he wants to set up a meeting so that he can hook us up with a set. I think this guy sees college students whose actual "wow, kewl" has been crushed out of them, and to see a geeky kid enthuse about science got him fired up.
Irish seemed a bit sad to see all of the stuffed creatures from years past, even as he marveled at the skeletons and bottled fish. I learned a great deal about the endangered Darters in the Darby Creek River that runs past our back yard. The fish guy seemed really happy that I asked questions about something he knew a lot about, and waxed eloquent to the small crowd that gathered around. Sparkle liked the gummy fish at that station, so I got an opportunity to ask a few questions.
Sparkle liked the insect room best again this year. They had more varieties of insects pinned in their boxes, and fewer rows of butterflies. They'd set up insects, and had paper and coloring tools. All of the kids in our group drew pictures of bugs and butterflies. A roving photographer sensed a photo op, and took pictures. I find myself wondering whether it will be used in future publicity!
We then went to a Viking Fairy birthday party. Sparkle adored every bit of it, and got her face painted, which suprised me. Later, when she wanted more done, the lady tried to paint her hands and arms, and she did her more usual freak out. Go figure. It was very costume-y, with fairy wings and bodices and Vikings and at the same time relaxed and low key. My kind of kid's party.
The boys camped out with the other boys and watched The Golden Compass. A bunch of kids wandered in and got caught up in the polar bear battle, which ended up being so intense, a couple of the younger kids looked freaked out. The winning polar bear (I think the good guy) won, and snarled "Who is King?" I crowed out cheerfully "You are! Don't hurt us! You da man! Yeah! Whatever you say, goes. We won't hurt no humans, nope!" and the kids started giggling instead of cringing.
Back at home, thinking about supper soon, since lunch was snacky items and cake.
The kids and I met with friends and toured The Ohio State University's Museum of Biological Diversity this morning, for their once a year open house. This is where grad students show off their projects, and science majors show off bugs and microscopes and DNA labs and so on.
Dino impressed one of the scientists in the microscope-arachnid-spider room. He evidently correctly identified obscure insect parts on the queen termite (giant pale hotdog bug, ugh) and got into an intricate discussion about microbes. The scientist sought me out, intent on making certain I knew my child was smart. He means it. My son is really smart - smarter than 95% of the college students he teaches, and Dino was interested in prepared bacteria slides for the microscope, and he wants to set up a meeting so that he can hook us up with a set. I think this guy sees college students whose actual "wow, kewl" has been crushed out of them, and to see a geeky kid enthuse about science got him fired up.
Irish seemed a bit sad to see all of the stuffed creatures from years past, even as he marveled at the skeletons and bottled fish. I learned a great deal about the endangered Darters in the Darby Creek River that runs past our back yard. The fish guy seemed really happy that I asked questions about something he knew a lot about, and waxed eloquent to the small crowd that gathered around. Sparkle liked the gummy fish at that station, so I got an opportunity to ask a few questions.
Sparkle liked the insect room best again this year. They had more varieties of insects pinned in their boxes, and fewer rows of butterflies. They'd set up insects, and had paper and coloring tools. All of the kids in our group drew pictures of bugs and butterflies. A roving photographer sensed a photo op, and took pictures. I find myself wondering whether it will be used in future publicity!
We then went to a Viking Fairy birthday party. Sparkle adored every bit of it, and got her face painted, which suprised me. Later, when she wanted more done, the lady tried to paint her hands and arms, and she did her more usual freak out. Go figure. It was very costume-y, with fairy wings and bodices and Vikings and at the same time relaxed and low key. My kind of kid's party.
The boys camped out with the other boys and watched The Golden Compass. A bunch of kids wandered in and got caught up in the polar bear battle, which ended up being so intense, a couple of the younger kids looked freaked out. The winning polar bear (I think the good guy) won, and snarled "Who is King?" I crowed out cheerfully "You are! Don't hurt us! You da man! Yeah! Whatever you say, goes. We won't hurt no humans, nope!" and the kids started giggling instead of cringing.
Back at home, thinking about supper soon, since lunch was snacky items and cake.
