My best friend and I recently volunteered to do a science demonstration for a group of young students at Fruitvale Elementary School in Oakland and must admit that I had as much fun as, and possibly more than the kids. We decided to introduce our pupils to some of the basic tenants of physics in a presentation entitled "Water Rocketry". Using DIY launchers made from PVC pipes and bicycle tire pumps, we managed to wow the children by launching 2-liter soda bottles several yards into the air using air pressure and water alone.
As I've gotten older, I've come to believe that educating our youth is among the best investments that we can make as citizens in future peace (in the way of lower crime rates), prosperity (in the way of increased GDP), passion (by exposing malleable minds to novel information), and progress (should you manage to inspire even one innovator). I've been relatively fortunate in life and had the benefit of what I considered to be some great role models, and I now feel a moral imperative reinvest my time and energy. What I call "selective altruism" is not for everyone. That said, I do believe that it has the potential to serve so many productive ends (even selfish ones) in my view, that even on my most libertarian day, I could't refute the economic argument in its favor.
"Water Rocketry" at Fruitvale Elementary
"Pneumatic Propulsion" at Contra Costa College
"Penny-wise Alchemy" in Oakland
