Things That Would Never Occur in the U.S.—Part 1

I’m thinking this will become a reoccurring post theme, that’s why I’m naming it part one.  This post is not at all meant to criticize the Honduran culture, it is meant to highlight some of the cultural differences so you can get a glimpse into what it’s like here.

THE SCIENCE FAIR

So, last week the colegio was taking their exams, and one of the days they held a science fair where the students could work in a group, design and perform an experiment, and present it to be judged by some of the teachers.  In many ways it was like a typical science fair—groups of students gathered around posters and explaining their experiments using visuals and props.  However, some of the things would definitely never fly in a U.S. science fair:

• Fire: One of the groups explored the properties of fire (or something like that), and their experiment involved making a fire and putting a flat, circular, metal pan on top of it.  Once the pan was really hot, they poured water on top, and the fire flared up really huge.  And that was their experiment.  I have no idea what the scientific principles are behind it…and if you do, feel free to comment on this post and explain.  This experiment might work in a U.S. science fair, but the students would just have some pictures on their tri-fold board showing the experiment.  However, these kids started a fire right there on the floor of the half-finished gymnasium where the science fair was held.  And then they did their experiment, which made flames that had to have been at least 10 feet tall. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch the huge flames on film, but you can only imagine the excitement and crowd that formed around the demonstration. 

• Alcohol:  So, I walked up to one of the groups, and their poster said something about tequila.  So I asked the girls what their experiment was.  And they explained that they made alcohol.  I thought that maybe it was some kind of cool scientific way that they did it, but when I asked they just said that they put nance juice, alcohol, sugar, and cinnamon in a bottle and let it sit for a few days.  And that was their experiment.  When the teachers who were judging came around, of course they were given a small sample to smell and taste.  And let’s just say that the judges were not the only ones that tasted the experiment….
• More fire…Fire seemed to be a big thing in this science fair.  One group made a welder (probably not the right word for it, but that’s the word I’m going to use) using a car battery, water, and salt, and then demonstrated it’s use.  Another made some kind of gas using chemicals and then lit it on fire to show that gas was being produced.  There were multiple volcanoes as projects.  I figured they’d be erupting with vinegar and baking soda, but that’s not how it’s done in Honduras.  Fireworks are the eruption of choice here.

the fire experiment

the alcohol experiment

making some kind of gas and then burning it

the alcohol experiment once the kids figured out what it was haha

So, safety is not so much a consideration when it comes to the Honduran science fair.  There were a lot of very safe and interesting projects as well, but the “wow” factor apparently plays a big role.  The winning group from each grade got a cake and soda to share.  I’m not sure which groups ended up winning, but I’m guessing some of the kids that played with fire are eating cake and drinking Coke right now.  Part of me was freaking out and worried that all of the tipsy students were going to fall into the fire or get their fingers welded together, but the other part of me loves the carefree attitude that Hondurans have, and how excited they get about things.  

A project about volcanoes/the impact of humans on the earth

A model of a section of the town to show how they could provide electricity to light the soccer field.

A model of a lunar eclipse.

If I don’t post again before Thanksgiving, I hope everyone has a great one!  I have a lot of things to be thankful for this year, including my family and friends who are so encouraging and supportive, especially my H-19 Peace Corps friends.  And of course I’m also thankful for anyone who takes the time to read my blog!  If you read regularly, you can click “subscribe” on the right side in order to stay updated on new posts!

Coming soon… Things That Would Never Occur in the U.S.—Part 2: Dancing