Curing a fear of science

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, July 4, 2006

EVERETT – The chubby-cheeked preschooler steps up and solemnly places her hand on the metal globe of the Van de Graaff generator. Dr. Science applies the juice to produce some high-voltage but perfectly safe static electricity. In seconds, the girl’s curly brown locks stand straight out from her head.

Her cheeks dimple with glee.

Dr. Science lives for those grins.

Also known as Chuck Newcombe, Dr. Science is a volunteer and a popular fixture at Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett. It doesn’t hurt that, with his white hair, full beard, wire-rim specs and a sweet grin himself, Newcombe, also looks a bit like Santa Claus.

Along with the grins, Dr. Science lives to teach children and their parents about science.

“Fear of science is a disease I’m trying to cure,” said Newcombe, 67, of Everett.

Working at Imagine is an opportunity to awaken curiosity about science among the children who visit the museum, Newcombe said. “If children learn now that science is fun, they won’t avoid it later.”

At an early age, Newcombe said he learned from his grandfather that even if a science experiment fails, it’s OK. “Learning was the point, and that’s what made it fun.”

Dr. Science volunteers most Wednesdays and Fridays. On those days, the museum often experiences its largest weekday turnout. Before scheduling field trips, teachers sometimes check to make sure Newcombe will be working one of his seven-hour shifts.

Newcombe is knowledgeable about many of the science exhibits at the museum in part because he had a hand in the design of some, particularly the Van de Graaff electrostatic generator exhibit. Newcombe retired from the Fluke Corp. after 38 years in product planning and market research. He first got involved in the museum when Fluke donated his time and technical support to get the museum open.

“I don’t say no to much of anything,” he said.

Museum executive director Nancy Johnson is glad for that.

“Chuck’s wealth of knowledge and engineering background make him an incredible resource. We’re very fortunate that he’s chosen to offer his time and talent to the museum,” Johnson said. “The Van de Graaff exhibit is a favorite … because he interacts so well with the kids and has such a great sense of humor that he makes the exhibit both educational and fun.”

Sometimes when a child seems too shy to step up to the generator, Newcombe will put his hand on the globe and send his white hair into orbit. Or he will get the shy kid’s mother into the hair-raising act. That usually brings out a smile on the child’s face.”Then I know I’m communicating,” Newcombe said. “And parents have just as much fun. It’s for kids of all ages.”

A Van de Graaff machine generates static electricity at a high voltage but a safe level of current. It’s like what happens when you pet a cat or rub a balloon against your head, just on a much larger scale.

An electrical-charge pump, the Van de Graaff generator has a motor-driven rubber belt. The friction of the rubber against a lower and an upper pulley transfers an electrical charge to the metal globe.

When someone touches the machine’s globe, the charge is transferred to his or her body and moves out to his or her hair. This charge, like two similarly charged ends of a magnet that repel each other, makes each strand of hair push back from the others around it. With nowhere else to go, the hairs stand on end.

Kids watch themselves in a mirror and, if their parents agree, Dr. Science will take a photo of the new crazy hairdo. And while he does that, Newcombe compares the Van de Graaff effect to lightning and thunder.

It all connects and it’s fun.

George Bernard Shaw once said, “We do not cease to play because we grow old. We grow old because we cease to play.” And that’s the motto Newcombe seems to live by these days.

He hits the gym at 5 a.m. and is at the museum by 8 a.m. After a busy career interacting with many people, Newcombe said he’s still learning how to be retired. It’s hard to slow down.

“I feel alive when I am volunteering my time at the children’s museum,” he said.

The motivation is children.

“I enjoyed my kids and their kids, and now my great-grandkids,” he said. “I love kids. I get down on their level and talk to them. Working here is not totally altruistic.”

Reporter Gale Fiege: gfiege@heralnet.com or 425-339-3427.

How to volunteer

Imagine Children’s Museum is a nonprofit organization that depends on the work of volunteers. Jobs include helping children read, assisting with projects and special events, keeping the museum maintained, assisting in exhibit construction, acting as a guide or docent, helping with office work and working in the museum store. To volunteer, fill out a form at the museum, call 425-258-1006 or go online to www.imaginecm.org.

Museum hours

The Imagine Children’s Museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.