By Kathy Essmiller
When I was little I had a friend, David Across The Street. We were going to be scientists when we grew up. We knew we would be Great Scientists because we had already made an Amazing Discovery.
All on our own we discovered that if we mixed water with the dirt in David Across the Street’s backyard we could make Clay. Certain we were first with this Amazing Discovery, we triumphantly took a sample of the substance inside to show his mom. She celebrated Our Discovery, and we enjoyed an exciting afternoon imagining ways Our Clay could be used.
Interestingly enough, we happened across our Amazing Discovery because we were digging to China. A certain big sister had told us that, since China was opposite us on the globe, we could probably get there if we dug a deep enough hole. David Across The Street had an already sizeable divot in his backyard, we had a couple of sticks, free time and nice weather, so it seemed like a good day to tackle this completely accessible goal. We didn’t find China, but we Discovered Clay, and because of this believed we Could Be Scientists.
We didn’t get where we were going, but we discovered Something Amazing along the way.
My grown-up, mortgage-paying self has a tough time tapping into the spirit of those young scientists. As educators, we know the value of play. We teach our students to stay focused but to also watch for opportunities for discovery and exploration, to be willing to step off the path and journey into unanticipated, creative ventures. That’s what I teach my students, but for grown-up me, if the task is digging to China, I am digging to China.
Sometimes it feels like it’s been awhile since I made any discoveries. It’s easy to lose the magic. I’m busy seeing the end from the beginning, keeping my eyes forward, making sure the main thing is the main thing. Sometimes I need to relearn how to play–like back in the day, “scientisting” with my friend David Across the Street.
I’m headed this week to the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) conference. I’m joining mentors and colleagues of whom I am in awe. I’m blessed with a great advisor who regularly checks to make sure I am asking questions and exploring ideas. I’m anticipating opportunities to make wonderful connections and learn new things, discover my place in the profession and discern fruitful areas for research.
I hope I have my heart and eyes open enough to Discover Clay.
I’ll let you know.
~Kathy Essmiller