SUMMARY

Will Steger, famed scientist and explorer, discloses how a child-like curiosity about the natural world and its processes inspired him to pursue scientfic exploration as a child, and later to mount expeditions into the Arctic. He forecasted weather by clouds, wind direction and barometer. He read books, studied and kept notes on weather records. Then he made independent conclusions, which later played out on Arctic expeditions. He awoke at 0130, as a fifth grade child, and observed falling stars till 0400, in the shadow of the chimney, away from streetlights peering in through windows. He'd then go to church at 0630, and afterwards onto school. He measured rain by water levels recorded on open fields and met with friends to observe thunder storms and fly kites - and still found time to play sandlot baseball. Steger always followed through on his curiosity. This he says, is the underpinnings of the human desire to pursue scientific exploration and research.

GOALS

To inspire future, and even current, scientists to take up the cause of scientific exploration and research. Also, to map the human underpinnings of the quest for scientific inquiry.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS

What follows is a video interview with Will Steger:

TEACHING NOTES / CONTEXT FOR USE

This video may be applied in a wide array of scholastic courses or laboratories. The focus would be to inspire and underscore the humanistic roots of scientific endeavors.

ASSESSMENT

Best to evaluate understanding of this video's content by written essay, group or individual projects, group discusssions or group projects.

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

No sources cited.

SHORT DESCRIPTION

Will Steger, famed scientific researcher and Arctic explorer, discloses how curiosity of the natural world led to his passions for scientific method and Arctic explorations. He describes observing falling stars in the shadow of a chimney. Follow through on your innate curiosity, he says.