Agriculture as science

I have often thought the study of science ought to be fun.
Mostly, the subject of science in the classroom feels, to the majority of students, like drudgery and boring recitation of facts. I felt this way until I met Amanda.
Amanda is a young scientist who has worked for the Center of Science and Industry, spending part of her time in Columbus and a great deal of time on the road with her traveling science bus.
Losing a gem. Friday was her last day in this position, and this region is losing a gem.
Amanda knows how to make science fun times 10 gazillion. She can throw a little science experiment together that makes children and adults alike simply light up with fascination.
I met Amanda while manning the early-morning coffee counter at Starbucks, and the quote at the beginning of this column comes straight off of a Starbucks cup.
Amanda was a regular, always ordering a large mocha for the road, and we joked that she was simply doing a science experiment to see how caffeine helps perk the body along.
When Amanda drove up to the coffee shop in her colorful van, a fellow couldn’t help but stop and look. “What IS that vehicle?” people would ask, as it was painted in vibrant hues of reds, yellows, blues, purple splashes for added impact.
“That is a traveling science exhibit, and we have loads of fun!” Amanda would reply.
Worth the trip. The Center of Science and Industry is well worth the trip to Columbus, putting science and industry in a whole new light.
Amanda said she lives for watching kids’ faces light up when they see science as a thrilling part of their world.
Though Amanda loved her job, she began to tire of packing up the van, traveling from school to school, setting up exhibits and experiments, taking everything down and repacking the van to travel to another school.
The weeks began to fade in to one another, and she would have to try to remember just which county she was standing in before heading off to yet another.
Leaving. The fun scientist is now packing up for good, heading to Denver, where she will be interviewing for a similar job at a natural science museum.
“As long as I still get to work with kids, I’ll be happy,” Amanda said.
She has a brother and a sister in the Denver area, and a new niece that she can’t wait to spoil.
It has been proven that those who stay the happiest and the healthiest have surrounded themselves with friends of all ages and interests.
I just know it is so great to be around someone so young, so filled with enthusiasm, always on the brink of a new adventure.
I will miss this friend, but now I will have a great reason to visit Denver!