Mr. Science Jason Lindsey (’00) motivates kids and gets them “Hooked on Science”
By Rose Rementer
In December 2017, Mr. Science himself, Jason Lindsey (’00) of Paducah, Ky., made a stop at Jody Richards Elementary School in Bowling Green to put on a hands-on-science program for more than 300 kids. During the event, Lindsey showed the students how to pop a balloon using an orange peel, but by never touching the peel to the balloon. Sounds crazy, right? Well, it worked! He explained to the awestruck students that the oil in the orange actually acts as a solvent, which breaks down the balloon. A science lesson, with a twist.
“I’ve developed hands-on science programs, which get kids excited about learning science,” explained Lindsey. “My goal is to make a connection between having fun and learning science. When the kids are having fun, I sneak in the science when they are least expecting it, which helps kids master science concepts.”
Other lessons at the event involved teaching students about force and motion using a leaf blower and toilet paper, using a large candy cane decoration and balancing it on your hand to teach balancing forces, and—the crowd favorite—using electricity to make a pickle glow. “My favorite part was when we lit up the pickle,” said fourth-grader Mac Heard. “It’s cool actually seeing what we learn in class,” added fourth-grader Alen Alic.
FROM THE BEGINNING
So how did Lindsey become “Mr. Science?” Let’s go back to his time at WKU. Lindsey graduated from the Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and Journalism, where he says he gained the needed skills to create the foundation for his career.
“Mastering a strong understanding of the basics of science and how to present science in a way for everyone to understand, from my time at WKU, continues to help me get America “Hooked on Science,” both in the classroom and on television,” concluded Lindsey.
While he was still an undergraduate student, Lindsey’s career started at WKAG in Hopkinsville, Ky., where he forecast the weather. He moved on to WBKO in Bowling Green, and then, once he graduated from WKU, he started working fulltime as a Television Meteorologist at KGWN in Cheyenne, Wyo. It was there that Lindsey gained interest in making science fun for kids.
“From day one, I enjoyed visiting schools, educating kids about weather and science,” Lindsey recounted. “At KGWN, I started a television segment called “Science Corner.”
In 2003, he and his family moved to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where Lindsey worked as a Television Meteorologist at KFVS, and started another science show called “Heartland Science Lab.” Just a few years later in 2007, Mr. Science was born through the television show “Hooked on Science,” which now airs nationwide.
IT’S A SCIENCE THING
Lindsey travels to hundreds of schools each year putting on the “Hooked on Science” programs for kids. His passion for teaching the field of science boils down to the fact that it’s everywhere, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are the way of the future.
“No matter how much you try to escape it, science is everywhere,” explained Lindsey. “It typically smacks you in the face, when you are lest expecting it, literally. Think about it, what happens if you don’t wear your seatbelt? What happens if you choose not to tie your shoe? With that in mind, my goal is to inspire kids to be inquisitive about the world around them and to develop a long-term interest in science and math. Science goes beyond memorizing concepts for a test. If truly mastered, science can help you succeed in life. It’s the future, and if you choose a career in STEM, your future is bright.”
To add to his success, Lindsey has also been on the NBC Today Show four times, performing the same experiments he does for the students.
“It’s an honor to do amazing science experiments on the most-watched morning show in America. Kathie Lee (Gifford) and Hoda (Kotb) are my favorite hosts,” exclaimed Lindsey. “They are willing to participate in each experiment, even if it does gets messy. They make science fun! We’ve used a leaf blower to launch toilet paper across the studio, created a mega cloud, pulled the tablecloth from underneath a set of dishes, and more, all on live television.”
A FAMILY AFFAIR
When not teaching at schools or on the NBC Today show, Lindsey has fun partaking in science experiments with his own family. He met his wife, Lena, at WKU in a Geography class. The couple has four children ranging in age from eight to 14. Lindsey even features them in some of his videos on his website, www.hookedonscience.org. He loves teaching STEM and being Mr. Science, but his kids are by far his favorite lab partners. “We are always doing science at home and sometimes making big messes,” stated Lindsey.
