Antennae vs. antennas

[DR. JAMES ADAMS]

Dear listers,

Rick Mikula wrote:
> I do programs for 100+ schools a year from pre-K to College. Do not
> sell the younger children short. In most cases "tongue" would not be tolerated
> and would inspire a chorus of "proboscis" to arise from the 
> students. As with everthing else, if they enjoy the subject,
> tech terms will eventually become easier for them. If you ever dealt with 2nd or 
> 3rd graders, then you know you better not make a mistake. But they are there to 
> learn so let them learn at their pace.

I can't agree more.  I truly believe children are capable of so much 
more than most of us give them credit for, and the whole point of 
giving programs to people is to *teach* them something.  I grant you, 
there are times when it may be appropriate to use non-scientific 
terms, but even *adults* can learn new terms, so why not use the 
opportunity to teach them the terms?!  You don't need to go into 
excruciating detail about each structure you talk about -- i.e., the 
proboscis is a hollow or "straw-like" mouthpart for sipping.  Hey, if 
they don't remember the term later, so what?  Clearly if this 
happens, then the term was not important enough for them to put in 
permanent memory.  But at least during the presentation they'll know 
what you're talking about, and most will remember the terms later 
anyway.  I still think that if you are against using such terms then 
you are insulting your audience, suggesting that they can't learn, or 
worse, they don't *want* to learn, anything new!  As I said above, if 
the terms don't stick, so be it.  But we are here to *enlighten*.  If 
I go to some presentation, or to some meetings, and don't learn 
something new, then I feel slighted.  Give the public the credit it 
deserves.  And please, don't "dumb-down" any talks for me!!

                     james