Science Is the Key

I went camping with Dad for the first time.

“We’re going to spend the day under nature’s roof. So, we should understand nature with a special key,” Dad said.

“What’s the key?” I asked.

“Science, Minho,” Dad answered with a big smile.

We pulled the tent out of its bag, and Dad looked around.

“What are you doing, Dad?”

“I’m looking for a place for the tent.”

“It’s going to be very hot in the afternoon,” I said.

“Right. We will be back from the lake about 4 hours later. Let’s think about the movement of the sun to set up the tent.”

I said, “The sun moves from east to west, so the shadow moves from west to east. If we put the tent here, the tent will be in the tree’s shadow then.”

Dad said, “Correct! You opened the window into nature with the first key.”

After we set up the tent, we went to the lake. I saw Dad skipping stones across the water. He was very good at it.

“How did you do that, Dad?”

“Most stones sink in water. But if you throw a stone with the right speed and at the right angle, it can skip and go far. The shape of the stone is important, too. Can you choose a better stone and find a better angle?”

I said, “I will choose this flat stone and throw it at about an angle of 20 degrees.”

“Great choice!” Dad answered.

We enjoyed skipping stones and swimming all afternoon.

Back at the campsite, we got ready for a barbecue. I was very excited.

“Look, Minho. If you make enough space for air, you will get a good fire. What is the best way to pile up the wood?”

I tried many patterns and finally made the best pattern.

“Dad, how about this?”

“Yes, the criss-cross pattern makes more room for air. Well done.”

At night, we watched hundreds of stars shining in the sky. Nature was full of surprises and science helped me understand them.

“Dad, science is everywhere.”

Dad looked at me with a big smile.