Astro-What?

My daughter and I attend our local homeschool conference over the weekend. This year was great for me due to the fact that I didn't have to work at the conference. For the first time in five years, I was just attending. It was great! Not to mention I received a job offer that may turn into something truly awesome.

I sat in on the lecture by Dr. Brian Ray (nheri.org). While I love statistics, I hate to read them, so his lecture on home school graduates was pretty interesting. Dr. Ray is a sharp guy with a great wit and I am always fascinated to hear about his research in the area of home education.

My daughter met Dr. Jay Wile (apologia.com). He is the man who wrote the Apologia High School Science curriculum that we have used these last few years. Somewhere between general science and physical science the light bulb in my daughters head flashed on.

See, my daughter has developed a love of science. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how or why. I am a history buff. She hates history, unless it has to do with science. I hate math. She struggled a bit in the beginning, but is really moving forward and I (shaking with fear) can see Calculus in her future (eww!). Miss C will share random science facts and ask, "Did you know that?"

Well, no, I didn't.

Dr. Wile lectured on Creation vs Evolution and Teaching Critical Thinking. He took the time to talk to Miss C about her interest in science and to encourage her to pursue her passion. Science as a passion?! Ummm, okay.

Last night she told me she thinks she would like to be an Astro Physicist. Okay. So, what does that mean, anyway? Graciously, she shared that it has to do with studying the planets and stars. Oh. Cool!

So, here I sit. A mom with a high school education (a public one at that), whose daughter might want to work for NASA some day. Ummm, yeah.

And what does a mom like me, say to a daughter liker her?

Go, discover new galaxies and new theories. Show the world new and amazing things. Just don't forget ole' mom when you win the Nobel Prize for Science.

YOU GO GIRL!