Nationality Canadian Name Gordon Penrose | Role Author | |
Born July 25, 1925 (age 99) ( 1925-07-25 ) Occupation York Borough master science teacher Home town Scarborough, Ontario, Canada Awards Fellow of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Books Magic mud and other great exp, Science Fun: Hands‑on, Dr Zed's science surprises, More science surprises, Dr Zed's dazzling book of s | ||
Gordon Penrose (aka the Zany Dr. Zed) is a Canadian scientist, educator, and author. Featured in OWL magazine, ChickaDEE magazine. Author of a number of science books for children.
His participatory science experiments are the basis of Penrose's philosophy: children learn best by doing. Penrose's audience is eight- to twelve-year olds, who are in Piaget's "concrete operations" stage - where learning is enhanced through the manipulation of concrete materials.
Excerpt from "Contemporary Authors": I encourage participation rather than merely watching or reading how to do the experiments. Many children write and offer suggestions as to how I can improve, as well as telling me the experiments they have tried and changed. Children also send pictures, which I paste on the outside of my suitcases that hold Dr. Zed equipment and supplies. The most delightful words for me are 'Wow! It really works.' -Gordon Penrose