Science Hobbyist
Insider Info
Rather than tossing a football around or trading Pokemon cards, science
lovers join clubs and conduct experiments to fine-tune their love of the universe
and quench their curiosity.
Do you like gazing at stars, wondering what's beyond the great Milky Way?
Perhaps finding remnants of other cultures is more your thing -- unearthing
finds that archeologists use to piece together ancient and not-so-ancient
civilizations.
Those who are curious about the world don't have to wait until science
class to conduct their own experiments. Through science clubs, where science
lovers gather, you and other members can do your own digging about the universe.
Many science clubs meet in a classroom. But field trips are common. If
you are in an astronomy club, for example, you could find yourself outside
of the city limits on a stargazing expedition.
"Our club hosts talks by astronomers and physicists every other week,"
says Julie Tome. "The meetings generally last about an hour. It's an opportunity
to meet with people who have similar interests as I do and to learn about
astronomy and physics outside of a classroom situation."
In addition, Tome says there are special activities. For example, the York
University Astronomy Physics Club is trying to organize the Messier Marathon.
"The Messier Catalog contains 109 celestial objects that Charles Messier came
across while searching for comets," explains Tome.
For the marathon, members will spend the night in York's observatory trying
to observe as many of these objects as possible. The goal is to observe them
all, she says. "The more people there, the more fun we'll have!"
If you are interested in archeology, you will probably spend a lot of time
outdoors, says Allen Dart. He developed an interest in archeology at a young
age and is now a professional archeologist. Archeology is a lot like finding
treasures, he says, only the museum keeps the finds so that researchers can
further their knowledge about our world.
Rebecca Schneider runs the Atmospheric Science Club. She says the club
has meetings, but they also go on tours. Outings, she says, happen every month
or two.
Science seems to be piquing the interest of many. Thirty-nine of the 689
most closely followed news stories from 1986 to 1999 were science-related,
according to the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.
Weather was the subject of 12 stories, including events like hurricane
Andrew. Ten stories involve coverage of space exploration, including the lead
story of the period studied, the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger.
Four news stories are about earthquakes and the damage they cause. Two
are about problems at nuclear reactor plants. Health is the subject of six
stories, and three are about efforts to clone animals and people.
"I do think more and more young people are becoming active in science and
other hobbies," says Schneider. She notes that enrollment seems to be higher
in the science club that she runs.
Dart says that there is an increased interest in archeology, as seen by
the number of people graduating with anthropology degrees.
Getting Started
The best part about having an interest in science is it can cost nothing
to get started. Joining a club is free or it can have a small membership fee.
Membership to the Society for Amateur Scientists is $35 annually. When participating
in special club activities, you may have to pay a slight fee, such as your
food or transportation, say enthusiasts.
Besides becoming members of science clubs, the enthusiasts recommend that
those interested in science subscribe to magazines in the field of science
they are interested, which can cost anywhere from $18 to $40.
Of course, there are also cloud kits and chemistry sets you can purchase
to develop your interest. According to Project Star, a science hobbyist supplier,
astronomy and celestial kits cost $50 to $60.
Schneider recommends that students talk to their favorite teacher or counselor
about their interest in science. They can probably point them in the right
direction. She remembers that in high school she began to keep weather logs
because she was interested in the atmosphere.
Amateur archeologists can find plenty of opportunities to volunteer, says
Dart. Usually a state will have an archeology association that you can contact
about opportunities.
Bob Piper ran into an archeology group of high school kids while doing
a dig at Fort William Henry in Lake George, New York. "They, along with their
teachers, had formed an archeology club when they discovered that a local
discount store was about to turn an old fort site dating from the 1700s into
a parking lot," he says.
"Their club persuaded the store chain to revise their plans, thus saving
the historic site, and then the club successfully explored and excavated the
site." So if there already isn't a club in high school, consider forming your
own.
Anyone who is physically challenged can take part in many of these activities.
Dart notes that fieldwork in archeology may be challenging with a handicap,
but non-fieldwork can be done. Enthusiast Jeff Cadieux points to famed scientist
Stephen Hawking, who is in a wheelchair and cannot speak on his own, as evidence
of what can be done. "Science exploits the power of the mind, not of the body,"
he says.
Science can be dangerous because of experiments with chemicals. Also, using
fire in home experiments is a hazard. Schneider would recommend certain precautions
when studying the atmosphere, such as not taking an iron golf club out during
a thunderstorm.
Most people who are science hobbyists have turned their love of science
into careers. Enthusiasts have become meteorologists, archeologists, astronomers
and even astronauts.
There are no prerequisites needed to join a science club. Just come to
the meetings, say the science hobbyists. Many join these clubs in college
because of the networking possibilities, says Cadieux. He notes that because
of his involvement, many NASA executives now know him by name.
You can find a science club sometimes "just by buying an astronomy magazine,
and checking the listings near the back, or by searching on the Internet.
You don't even need any knowledge or equipment to start, since the other club
members would be happy to share their gear and know-how," says Cadieux.
Associations
Society for Amateur Scientists
175-4735 Clairemont Sq.
San Diego
,
CA
92117
USA
Internet
:
http://www.sas.org/
Publications
Scientific American
Internet
:
http://www.sciam.com/
SciTech Daily Review
Internet
:
http://www.scitechdaily.com/
Links
The Bat Detector Project
Here is an idea of what type of projects science clubs can work
on
The Science Explorer
Some science activities you can try at home
The Science Hobbyist Page
Check out the loads of links under amateur scientist
American Science and Surplus
Some supplies and ideas of prices to get you started
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