Interview

Jack Challoner Q&A: STEM

We’ve caught up with our STEM Lab author Jack Challoner to talk all about STEM, learning, and inspiration. Jack studied physics, then trained as a science and math teacher. He worked at London’s Science Museum; in 1991 he left the museum to pursue writing science and technology books, as well as writing and performing science shows in museums, libraries, and schools. Visit Jack Challoner online at www.jackchalloner.me.

Which is your favourite project from your new book STEM Lab?

I think my favourite has to be the Wind-up Car. It is a great way of showing how energy can be stored and then released—and it really shoots across my kitchen floor! 

What was your favourite science experience when you were growing up?

One thing I remember is that we had some strong magnets in our garden shed. I used to play with them, and I was amazed by the fact that they could push each other apart as well as pull together.

Do you recall when you first got excited about science?

One thing I remember clearly is being told how hot the surface of the Sun is. Afterwards, my father asked how scientists knew, and that really got me thinking.

What was your reaction when you saw Maker Lab on the Kardashian social media feeds?

I was really excited! It was a great idea to give the book as a gift, along with all the things someone needs in order to do the activities.

What do you think the connection is between reading and hands-on activities for learning?

Whenever I think about this, I always remember a famous saying: “I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do and I understand.” I certainly did a lot of hands-on investigating when I was growing up, and I think it really helped me to remain curious and to understand better the things I was investigating.

What’s the most recent thing you’ve learned about science as an adult?

I keep up to date with all the science news, so I’m always learning new things. One of the most recent fascinating discoveries was of a fossilized flower that lived 174 million years ago. Until that discovery, scientists thought flowers developed only 120 million years ago.

Of the four STEM topics—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—do you have a favourite?

Well, I am always curious about the world—how it all works and what it’s all made of—so science would be my favourite (although I’m always amazed by what people invent and make, so I love technology and engineering—and numbers are amazing, so I love math, too!).

Do you remember how you learned about science when you were a kid? How have things changed?

I don’t think we learned very much about science until I was at secondary school—and I certainly remember that there were not as many interesting science books around. Lucky for me, my family had a book called 101 Science Experiments, and I tried them all.

What inspires you more—nature or technology?

Both, of course.

What’s the best STEM-based question that you’ve been asked by a child?

“If atoms are too small to see, how do we know they are real?”

What’s one item you always keep handy around the house in case inspiration strikes for a project/experiment?

Plastic bottles—it's good to reuse them, and I always recycle them anyway. They are good for holding water and easy to cut into different shapes.