30 Days of Science - Day 23

Yesterday I checked the kids out of school for a dentist appointment.  They were so excited to be called on the intercom and get out of school.  They both had huge smiles.  Luke was especially excited because he loves going to the dentist.  He loves it because he wants to be a dentist one day.  Every time we go we remind everyone that he wants to be a dentist and that he would like to learn anything he can while he is there.  We ask that everyone teach him what they are doing so Luke can learn.  Luke learns all sorts of things about the tools and procedures.  When the dentist (Dr. Troy Hardy) came out to look at the kids teeth, he spent a lot of time talking to Luke and answering Luke's questions.  They brainstormed about some science experiment ideas and he explained that most teeth experiments have to be done with teeth that are immediately saved in a special solution that keeps that keeps them from drying out when they are out of the mouth.  That was good to know.  He also spent time showing Luke the x-rays and explaining what was happening in his mouth as well as Megan's.  I couldn't help but take pictures with my iPhone when he let Luke stand next to him while he worked on Megan's mouth and he explained what he was doing.  Luke was in heaven!  He left with a giant smile on his face. 

After the dentist we went to get lunch.  I had been debating on taking the kids to a district science fair for the Salt Lake School District.  I knew we wouldn't have time after school because of how much homework Luke had so I decided to have the kids eat their lunch on the way to the science fair.  I didn't tell them where we were going.  I told Megan it was more of a surprise for Luke but she would like it too.  I gave them a clue that we were going to a school.  Luke's energy level went up about 50 times when we pulled up to a school called the Salt Lake Center for Science Education.  Luke said he would wake up a half hour early every day if he could go to that school. 

We looked around the school a tiny bit as we walked to the gym where they were holding the science fair.  Unfortunately the projects weren't all set up, but we were able to see plenty in the short amount of time we had.  Luke amazes me because he understood all of the concepts and corrected me on a couple things I said.  A man came over and gave Luke a mug with Einstein on it creating another huge smile on Luke's face.  The man happened to be one of the founders of the school.  We talked to him and and the director of the school.  The school is for 6th grade and up, but he said next year, when Luke is in 5th grade, Luke could come and shadow a nice student and go to all of his classes with him for the day.  The school sounds amazing but it would be a 20-30 minute drive each way.

It was a great little break from regular school.  Obviously educational too.  Everything we do, every where we go can be educational.  It's fun to use the world as your classroom.