Skip to main content

When did you start to #ThinkLikeAScientist or #ThinkLikeAnEngineer?

In May, AAAS received a letter, asking us if we could please send the letter-writer "shoes that make me fly," or offer super strength.

Though science has yet to catch up to this young person's desire for super strength or flying shoes, AAAS CEO Rush Holt sensed in this letter the budding mind of a scientist. To encourage the youth to follow the passion that this letter conveyed, Rush replied and praised the student for "thinking like a scientist because you are asking questions."

That curiosity about the world can be seen not only in scientists and engineers, but in everyone who poses questions and proposes solutions, Holt said. And it's often evident from a very early age. AAAS asked staff when they started to think like a scientist or engineer. Their answers follow.

We're interested to know when you--whether you're a professional scientist or engineer, or simply curious about the world--started to #ThinkLikeAScientist or #ThinkLikeAnEngineer.

Thumbnail

Dear scientist

Can you find a way for me to have super strength and fly, or Just make me fly, or you can make shoes that make me fly, and send it to me so I can test it out.  Oh and I’ve never had a note for a scientist so this is really new.  I just wanted to know if you could do it which I think you can.  Can it be free or can you you mak 10 bucks please thank you for your time.

Sincerly, [Name]

To which, Rush Holt responded:

Thumbnail

Here is what initially inspired our staff:

Thumbnail

Age 9: Surf Fishing in New Jersey. Holding a live fish.

Thumbnail

Age 7: Watching the space shuttle launch!

Thumbnail
Daniel Think Like a Scientist

Age 8: Being amazed at the Discover Channel and National Geographic magazine.

Thumbnail
Carla Think Like a Scientist

Age 6: Holding snakes at the Iowa Science Center!

Thumbnail
Stephen Think Like A Scientist

Age 7: The first time I watched "The Magic School Bus" 

Thumbnail
Elana Think Like a Scientist

Age 7:  Building cardboard box forts.

Thumbnail
Think Like a Scientist (7)

Age 5: Thinking about how hard to pump my feet to make the swing go higher.

Thumbnail
Sarah Think Like a Scientist

Age 4: Looking for fireflies in our yard!

Thumbnail
Susan Think Like a Scientist

Age 5: Looking at a cheese curl under my microscope on Christmas morning (haven't eaten one since).

Thumbnail
Josh Think Like a Scientist

Age 6: Building a mini-volcano for the school science fair.

Thumbnail
Brice Think Like a Scientist

Age 5: Studied how to make best cities in SimCity.

Thumbnail
Kat Think Like a Scientist

Age 7: Learning about veterinarians because I loved taking care of my beagle.

Thumbnail
Patricia Think Like a Scientist

Age 10: I wanted to be a pediatrician to help children like me with Bell's Palsy.

Thumbnail
Earl - Think Like a Scientist

Age 6: Examining the roots of my pulled teeth.

Thumbnail
Kim Think Like a Scientist

Age 8: Catching tadpoles in the Sodona, AZ, creek to watch them grow into frogs

Thumbnail
JDrake Think Like a Scientist

Age 6: Taking apart old electronics to see what's inside!

Thumbnail
Microscope Think Like a Scientist

Age 8: When I received a microscope set as a gift!

Thumbnail
Caroline Think Like a Scientist

Age 8: Planting seeds in the sunniest part of the yard to help them grow taller.

Thumbnail
Anne Think Like a Scientist

Age 6: Hearing about the first astronauts blast into space.

Thumbnail
Cocoon Think Like a Scientist

Age 3: Watching a butterfly emerge from a cocoon.

Thumbnail
Ozone Think Like a Scientist

Age 6: Wondering how pollution hurts the Ozone Layer

Thumbnail
Potato Think Like a Scientist

Age 8: Won 4th grade science fair with a moldy potato experiment.

Thumbnail
Juli Think Like a Scientist

Age 5: Making 'potions' with all different kinds of powers while playing in the sprinkler.

Thumbnail
Marlon Think Like a Scientist

Age 9: Deconstructing my RC cars to see how they worked.

Thumbnail
Flashlight Think Like a Scientist

Age 9: Playing with the flashlight in the dark to figure out why the Earth's shadow on the moon was a straight line.

Thumbnail

Age 5: Using cooking oil to go down the slide faster (not recommended). 

What inspired you to #ThinkLikeAScientist or #ThinkLikeAnEngineer?  Let us know on Twitter!