Chicagoist: Sponge Bean Fair Pants

joseph_dunphy_in_chicago

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:39:03 -0600

"Our lame science fair projects always consisted of withered lima bean plants gasping for water, so that’s probably why we were never chosen to exhibit at the city's Chicago Public Schools Student Science Fair, currently running now through Sunday ..." a.k.a. The most depressing place in the universe. Any science fair is, with these kids so full of hope and enthusiasm for these future careers of theirs that are already over, before they've had the chance to begin. "Gee, mister, really? You've gone to graduate school in this and even taught college students? What's it like?" How does one tell such a child that the real, adult world is run by the grown up version of the kids they see shooting spitballs at their teachers, with that sensibility making the rules?

plumbum82

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:55:42 -0600

@ Marcus Gilmer: You can't seriously be from Huntsville. That's where my dad's side immigrated to from Germany after the... you know. /Great Grandson of Escaped Nazi Scientists

Spook

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 20:11:34 -0600

Gotta love Ward up, CPD can do no wrong, but lets beat up on CPS any time.

Ward Up

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:12:42 -0600

It likely took a week (paid for with our money) for a CPS staffer with a Ph.D. in education to come up the peculiar "educationspeak" title. Hopefully, the smart kids will "develop innovative possibilities" without using that phrase.

Spook

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:37:46 -0600

yea what ever, Mikel. It was just a moment of nostalgic weakness. I'm outta here,least I get acussed of being a dork like the rest of you’zzz! I got a cyber bad boy image to maintain. That goes for you too r-hos

Amy Mikel

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:26:19 -0600

well at least you are thinking of me, and spook will toast to me. all in all, a good day.

The Meteorologist

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:20:02 -0600

Amy, no, the title doesn't make sense at all. I thought about it, and thought about it, and thought about it, laughed because I thought about it too hard, and then my brain hurt and I decided you might be a genius.

Spook

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:12:08 -0600

Well if I still had my "Honorable Mentioned" ribbon I'd give it to ya rhoswhenm as faded as it would be after all these years.

rhoswhen

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:02:50 -0600

I got to go to the city-wide science fair in 6th grade, but we were disqualified by a man with a large mole on his nose. We used human substances (my spit), and that is simply not allowed. Then my dad got into a really bad car accident that same day...man, what a bummer all that was...

Spook

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:45:06 -0600

Jezzz, memories. I'm way smart enough to argue with these monkeys on Chicagoist But I'd feel a itimidated to be a judge. Jess memories,I made it to the city finals, Honorable Mention,I think it was a blue ribbon. Nice post Amy, I'll raise a toast to you, I plan to have a beer or two afterwook Don’t forget history fair hosted at the New Berry! Unless Daley has killed it. Its was never as big as the Science Fair

grandma

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:43:13 -0600

I had the opportunity to judge a few of these science fairs at the school and district levels. I was quite impressed with the initiative and critical thinking demonstrated by some of these kids. My favorite exchange with a student: JUDGE: If you were to repeat this study, what is one thing you might change to make this a stronger investigation? BOY WHO MADE A CATAPULT: I'd make the catapult bigger so it could shoot farther!

Amy Mikel

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:40:41 -0600

it came to me in a brilliant flash of genius, but really the title doesnt even make sense, if you think about it :D

The Meteorologist

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:29:48 -0600

Sponge Bean Fair Pants?! Did it take a long time for you to come up with that? Hahaha. Awesome.

Marcus Gilmer

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:22:45 -0600

Hell, yeah, Space Camp! My hometown's best claim to fame.