What Science Personalities Inspired You as a Kid?

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SUMMARY

This forum discussion centers on the influential science personalities and programs that inspired individuals during their childhood. Key figures mentioned include Julius Sumner Miller and Magnus Pyke, both of whom captivated audiences with their engaging presentations of scientific concepts. Participants reflect on their experiences with educational shows such as "Bill Nye the Science Guy," "Mr. Wizard's World," and various encyclopedias that fueled their curiosity about science. The discussion highlights the importance of early exposure to scientific principles and the lasting impact of these figures on participants' career choices and interests in science.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with influential science communicators such as Julius Sumner Miller and Bill Nye.
  • Understanding of popular science television programs and their educational impact.
  • Knowledge of basic scientific principles and concepts that were popularized in childhood education.
  • Awareness of the role of family and personal experiences in shaping scientific interests.
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the educational impact of "Bill Nye the Science Guy" on modern science education.
  • Research the contributions of Julius Sumner Miller to science communication.
  • Investigate the legacy of Magnus Pyke and his influence on popular science media.
  • Examine the effectiveness of childhood science education programs in fostering interest in STEM fields.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for educators, parents, and anyone interested in the history of science communication and its effects on childhood education and career paths in science and engineering.

  • #31
Legend has it that Bill Nye inspired great physicists like Newton, Einstein, Bohr, and even Feynman.
 
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  • #32
I wasn't much into science as a kid.(or at least I thought I wasn't) Never went to any science camp , never read any science book, and did not experience one of those , for a lack of a better term 'aww' moments that would draw me into science. Never had any family members who were into science, so sadly my interest for science wasn't nurtured at an early age like most of the posters here. I became interested and fascinating(more like obsess with red foxes ) will when I was like 9 or 10 years old. my interest in red foxes attracted my to the world of zoology up until about 10th grade. At 15, walked into a Barnes and Noble store, picked up The Elegant universe by Brian Green , and that particular book got me interested in physics.
 
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  • #33
For starters, my dad, and I used to wake up early to watch Bill Nye too! He made everything so interesting, and would take the time to explain it as well. But my dad is still the number one who inspired me. He let me go out and help him with things. My mom lso has said, that when I was younger, and played on the merry-go-round, I would watch the mechanics, instead of all the pretty colors and animals. I guess it has always kind of been in me :)
 
  • #34
I think that my first inspiration was when I was 2 years old, living on a farm. Watching those guys designing and building make-shift machinery, without even drawing up sketches first, was amazing to me (and still is). I remember one in particular. They just started dragging stuff out of the scrap heap and welding it together. Within a few hours they had a device to fire bales from the back of the baler onto a low-boy wagon towed behind!
After we got a TV, the Johnny Quest cartoons introduced me to more 'high-tech' concepts such as lasers and electromagnets. Likewise for Tom Swift books once I learned to read.
After that, it was straight into all of the classic SF like Heinlein, Poul Anderson, Asimov, etc..
 
  • #35
Danger said:
Likewise for Tom Swift books once I learned to read.
After that, it was straight into all of the classic SF like Heinlein, Poul Anderson, Asimov, etc..

I can't believe you mentioned Tom Swift! That sure brought back a rush of memories... I haven't heard that name in years. Man. Tom Swift and His Jet Marine was one of the first storybooks I remember reading. (May have been the last now that I think about it)
 
  • #36
The 'Megascope Space Prober' was the one that stuck with me. In fact, I built a semblance thereof with my first Lego set. :blushing:
 
  • #37
Danger said:
The 'Megascope Space Prober' was the one that stuck with me. In fact, I built a semblance thereof with my first Lego set. :blushing:

:smile: Now that's funny. I also had a Lego obsession around the same time I was learning about NASAs Apollo missions. When my parents bought me the little grey swiveling pieces with the axle stubs and black rubber wheels, it took my upgraded version of the lunar rover to a whole new level!
 
  • #38
I'm scared to even hypothesize what people are up to with the 'Mindstorms' stuff. U-Tube has a video of some guy with a rubber band-firing Gatling gun made out of Lego. It's amazing. With the computer control of 'Mindstorms', there's some serious equipment running around out there.
Due to the state of Lego at the time, though, I actually preferred my Mechano set. (In fact, the brass spur gear from my Mechano clockwork motor was the prime power transfer junction for the jaw-drive mechanism in my 'Alien' Hallowe'en costume.)
 
  • #39
binzing said:
Integral, what town did you grow up in? It was in Oregon right?

Yep, Roseburg, in southern Oregon. It was kid heaven. We lived across the road from a open field, bounded on the far side by the South Umpuqa river. Fishing, swimming, Blackberry picking, laying on your back watching the cloulds and birds. What more could a kid ask for. There was only 1 channel on the TV, and computers were beyond comprehension. We lived outside, cause no one had air conditioning and the houses were unbearable. It was sleeping out on the warm summer nights that we would watch the satillites go over.
 
  • #40
My father and I would watch Star Trek and NOVA together when I was younger
 
  • #41
Whenever I would ask why I would get at best "God did it" or the usual "How the hell should I know?". I decided those answers weren't good enough so I set out to find the answers myself. When my kids ask me why something is the way it is I want to be able to tell them with enough facts to turn it into an encyclopedia article.

Now I just want to help people in some way and science allows me to do that.
 
  • #42
Nova was a good show. I was well over 22, but still living with my parents, when it came on. Since we didn't have cable, I got permission from my mom's best friend across the street to go over and watch it every week. Believe it or not, those two 80+ year-olds got into it just as much as I did. (In retrospect, the fact that their son is a petroleum engineering professor makes sense.)

edit: Sticks and Stones, you snuck in while I was composing my post. Your explanation pretty much sums it up for me, although I don't have kids (wife's fault, not mine). Despite my lack of education, there is nothing more satisfying than trying successfully to teach a youngster that there is a path that makes sense.
 
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  • #43
Greg Bernhardt said:
Star Trek

I was wondering when this was going to show up! I love scifi as inspiration.