Third Annual Prague´s Play With Science Fair Proves Science Not Only for Boys












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            On May 31, 2010, the New Town Town Hall hosted the 3rd annual Play With Science event, who

            programme was designed by the Charles University Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, along
            Débrouillards of the Czech Republic, an association promoting scientific curiosity in chil
            afternoon was reserved for adults, with experts from the faculty and the Academy of Scienc

            lectures.
            The yellow circle path for youngest kids and the red circle for older children led the you
            literally all the way from the cellar to the tower. In the cellars, light magic was being 

            the tower was the place for meteorologists and their experiments.


            The operations were overseen by Dr. Zdeněk Drozd (on the right), director of the departmen
            Physics of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, and Petr Zapletal, president of the Ass
            Débrouillards.

            What is new about this year's fair?
            ZD: This year, we asked the Association of Young Débrouillards to take part. I consider it
            as it is an event aimed at kids and it makes perfect sense when children present to other 

            What its the ratio between Charles University students and débrouillards?
            ZD: Out of 90 demonstrators, there are 49 débrouillards, so they have a slight majority.
            How did you organize particular demonstrations? Did you design the experiments and then as

            demonstrators, or did the demonstrators themselves come up with experiments?
            ZD: We have an established model of how this should work. We have something more playful o
            circle and something more scientific on the red circle for older kids. Our meteorology stu

            example, usually set up demonstrations for the older kids. The programme for younger ones 
            in conjunction with students of the Faculty of Education, who are being trained to teach e
            These students, mostly girls, attend our Experiments in Science seminar that they looked u

            because they realize that it will be them who will introduce kids to physics in their scie
            sum it up, yes, students usually know what they'd like to demonstrate.
            The young débrouillards that take part in the project must not only have a certain level o

            also the ability to present it...
            PZ: We've been around for 18 years now and we have a system worked out. We do train kids i
            their skills, so that's not an issue. At this year's Play With Science, kids from three cl

            Frýdek-Místek, Prague Břečťanová Street, and Prague Jakutská Street.
            I've seen a lot of girls attend. Does it mean that girls are not afraid of physics, contra
            stereotype?

            PZ: Surprisingly enough, it's half boys and half girls this year. Sometimes we get even mo
            boys, which means that science is no way solely a boys' affair.


            Martin Kotmel is a second year student of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics. “At our 
            department, there is a push to make first-years take part in all activities. Therefore I c
            last year and I've stuck with it,” says Martin. Two out of five kids usually solve the que

            is possible to press down even a glass bottle. “But then we had this group of girls in pin
            they solved it right away. I was very surprised and it's a proof that no one should be app
            prejudice.”

            (Lucie Kettnerová)

            Translation: Jaroslav Švelch