Remembering Childhood (science edition)

I was pondering my past earlier today, and remembered some things from my past that others might be able to relate to.

Namely, I remember making "formulas."

It was great to find an empty (or mostly empty) shampoo bottle and begin filling it with what would become a life saving formula. Adding the unknown red berry like objects picked off a bush, and whatever ingredients we found in the garage and kitchen, making a successful formula is an artform for young children. My brother was usually the counterpart in this "game" of ours.

We always had to make a formula, but all formulas looked rather similar. Not a whole lot was new, and we only knew that we were finished when we finally filled the bottle with whatever it could hold. Little of it could come back out the small spout of a shampoo bottle, as berries and rocks and such were too big, but somehow it made us feel as if we had accomplished something.

It is times like these that makes a kid want to become a scientist. I never got this bug nearly as hard as my brother did. He became fascinated with science fair projects (he actually got a prize for one about paper towels) and inspired me in taking some advanced college science classes. He even made me popular by allowing me to bring props (a trebble form Star Trek) to my science classes.

I suppose however, that the most telling sign of Jason and his interest in science was in his perfection of the "mad scientist" look at such an early age.