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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, May 3 Former San Quentin guard publishes book Photographers capture some lovely blooms in latest Mail Tribune contest Soaring rents, stagnant wages create housing crisis Wimer's Highland Games appeal to both the kilted and kiltless Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, May 3 Dozens of drivers nabbed in Medford pedestrian sting Emergency services, May 2 Gold Hill man torched his foreclosed property No leads on who smashed about 20 windows in Ashland before dawn Thursday Politics and Elections BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Arthur I. 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Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option Real Estate News Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Letters to the Editor, May 3 Our View: Our picks for Medford School Board Dana Milbank: Clinton's opponents need to smoke her out George Will: The Lusitania's role in history Charles Krauthammer: Men wielding power in hellish times Editorials Our View: Our picks for Medford School Board Other Views: Gun-bill recalls misguided, futile Our View: Bill gives ex-convicts a glimmer of hope Our View: Medical marijuana market not at risk Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 3 Letters to the Editor, May 2 Letters to the Editor, May 1 Letters to the Editor, April 30 Letters to the Editor, April 29 Columns Dana Milbank: Clinton's opponents need to smoke her out George Will: The Lusitania's role in history Charles Krauthammer: Men wielding power in hellish times Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Michael Gerson: A pastor's faith in Baltimore Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Lifestyle Latest stories Photographers capture some lovely blooms in latest Mail Tribune contest Bright spots in the dark Wedding: Melody Ann Madi and Lyman Martin Stiles Engagement: Anders-Stanley Columnist for a Day: 'When Harry met Shirley,' the story continues Food Andrea Honaker: Mexican-inspired dips for Cinco de Mayo Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! 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Onorato: Food items appear in the funnies Home and Garden Heirloom tomatoes bring ageless flavor Betty Montgomery: You can have a variety of ferns in your garden Clean out household chemicals Friday and Saturday Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Health Dr. Murray Feingold: Turn down that noise Health Watch: Pack your pantry with healthy items HealthStyle: It’s all in the family dinner 'Game changer' for heart patients Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Milestones and Achievements Wedding: Melody Ann Madi and Lyman Martin Stiles Engagement: Anders-Stanley ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories 5 picks for live entertainment Live Music in Local Clubs Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Theater REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Randall Theatre stages 'Little Shop of Horrors' 'Much Ado' at SOU Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Music Thunder's Edge, Steel Cranes tonight at Club 66 The Farr Side: CMAs do it right, in many ways Live Music in Local Clubs Trio Brasileiro plays Old Siskiyou Barn Interview: Offspring plays hits new and old on tour Community Events Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Master Gardener Spring Fair at The Expo A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Movies Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ has a lot going on Movie review: ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ knows how to party Catching up with the Avengers Interview: Sofia Vergara talks ‘Hot Pursuit’ Quick Flicks: ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Insurgent’ and more Dining Restaurant inspections, May 3, 2015 Taqueria Picaro offers casual Mexican cuisine Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? 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Sparking a passion: New study finds youngsters' interest in science, math can last a lifetime New study finds youngsters' interest in science, math can last a lifetime Comment By Melissa Erickson More Content Now MailTribune.com By Melissa Erickson More Content Now Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 10:17 AM By Melissa Erickson More Content Now Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 10:17 AM » Social News The next generation of scientists, engineers and mathematicians could be playing with Legos on your living room rug, and it’s their parents more than schools who are encouraging them to pursue their dreams, according to new research by George Mason University. Families play the leading role in building the next generation of scientists who may solve daunting problems facing our society, said Lance Liotta, co-director of George Mason’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine in Manassas, Virginia. Only after the family do schools and even colleges play a supporting role. “We were surprised to learn that the family is more important than we ever thought in terms of igniting the passion of future scientists,” said Liotta, a study author. “It was unexpected, but overwhelmingly the kids (in the study) said that it was their parents who turned them on to science, not their experiences in high school or elementary school. It was the parents who got their kids excited about science.” Making an impression The George Mason study is the first peer-reviewed article of its kind to focus on what initially attracts young people to the science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, fields. The findings could shape public policy and encourage community-centered activities designed to foster a love for science in the pre-teen and preschool crowd, says Amy Adams, director of George Mason’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program and study co-author. The majority of students surveyed — 65.5 percent — said science experiences with a family member or a childhood activity piqued their initial interest. Hands down, 92.6 percent of the students said hands-on lab experience cemented their decision to make a career in a STEM field. “Science is all around us, and kids are naturally curious. They’re thirsting for knowledge,” Liotta said. How to encourage kids Any time is a great time to encourage science and math play. “I have four grandchildren and love to work on science projects with them,” Liotta said. “Among many of the fun memories, we have made autonomous robots and held robot wars at Thanksgiving. We have also tested new micro airplanes and radio-controlled butterflies, and studied the behavior of cicadas.” It’s easy for parents to help fuel the imagination of future scientists with fun family activities and toys. “There are a ton of wonderful resources on the Web, videos to watch together, projects to build, workshops, summer camps, and many fun and inexpensive toys,” Liotta said. Here are some of his favorites: n Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card-sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse. It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python. It’s also a digital project maker, so kids can create music machines, parent detectors, weather stations and tweeting birdhouses with infrared cameras. n PBS and Nova teamed up to create “Making More Stuff.” In this four-part special, technology columnist David Pogue takes a wild ride through the cutting-edge science that is powering a new wave of technological innovation. Pogue meets the scientists and engineers who are plunging to the bottom of the temperature scale, finding design inspiration in nature, and breaking every speed limit to make tomorrow’s stuff “Colder,” “Faster,” “Safer” and “Wilder.” n Children as young as 2 will be fascinated by a live butterfly garden and experience metamorphosis in action as the caterpillars change into chrysalides, and finally emerge as butterflies. n Crayola sells all sorts of imagination-boosting products such as paint and crayon makers, color projectors and sketching devices. n To expose kids to biology and medicine, consider microscopes, human body anatomy toys, insect farms and DNA extraction kits. For chemistry, pick up slime lab kits, crystal-growing kits and chemistry sets. Astronomy and space exploration interests will be boosted with telescopes and meteorite excavation kits. To study the environment and weather, buy your child an alternative energy kit or a weather lab. Blocks, electrical circuits and robotics are great for exposing kids to physics and engineering. “Parents who see the spark of science talent in their kids should reinforce that talent through family projects and nature walks,” says George Mason College of Science dean Peggy Agouris. Don’t forget science classes or parties and playing with interactive science apps. By Melissa Erickson More Content Now MailTribune.com By Melissa Erickson More Content Now Posted Mar. 19, 2015 at 10:17 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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