Fun for all those budding scientists
Lecturer writes book of experiments for curious youngsters
SCIENTIST Megandhren Govender would give his eyebrows to learn something new — and he has.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal lecturer tested and developed more than 40 science experiments for children for his new book, Dr Genius — Mind-blowing Science Demonstrations.
None of them will singe your eyebrows off, as did one involving lycopodium powder that he tried several years ago.
“This book is child-proof and adult-proof, because adults can be childish — I really took safety into account,” he said.
The wacky astrophysicist has self-published the A5 soft-cover book to share his love of learning with children. He said he also learnt something new in the year-long process of writing it.
“It’s pretty awesome because there were things that I didn’t know myself as a scientist — I didn’t know that you could bake bread using ice cream, for instance. The ingredients for bread and ice cream are identical except for the self-raising flour.”
Govender’s daughter, Kyla, 12, and son, Lev, 8, were his assistants and critics.
“Every experiment that I put in the book I first put to them. If they didn’t like it, I didn’t use it.”
He hopes that the book will foster a genuine understanding and love of science among children.
Govender cited the example of first-year science students who were straight-A pupils but find themselves unable to cope at university because they relied on rote learning and expensive tuition to pass.
“Suddenly, they realise they’ve mastered past exam papers but they haven’t mastered the actual science.”
The book, priced at R100, is available in Durban and can be ordered by mail.
“The book attempts to answer questions like ‘Why is a tornado funnel-shaped?’ and ‘Why is the sky blue?’ ” he said.
Orders for the book can be placed by calling 031-902-1507 or by e-mailing neetugovender01@ gmail.com
Govender is giving away three copies of his book to readers who can tell us what kind of scientist Dr Govender is.
E-mail your answer and contact number to kznextra@sundaytimes.co.za by 10am on Tuesday November 11. Put the words “Book giveaway” in the subject line.