Ask Amanda Forsythe
Friday, October 23rd, 2009This is a new page for readers who have questions they would like to ask Amanda. She’s busy with a science project at the moment, studying ways for humans to stay fit and healthy during long-term space travel in Zero-G environments. But Amanda loves hearing from you, and will answer your questions as quickly as she can. Just leave a message in the comments section.
Amanda, have you seen the movie 2012 yet, and does it make you worried about the future?
Hi Alex, I’ve only seen the trailer so far. But from that, I’m more concerned about John Cusak’s future than mine.
Featured:
Dear Amanda,
I was just wondering – what would you do if you were driving a $1-million Bugatti Veyron sports car near a salt marsh in Texas and a low-flying Pelican suddenly swooped into your line of vision?
Yours sincerely,
Blastema,
Dear Blastema,
Interesting question. Given that I am 11 years old and therefore too young to get a driver’s license, I assume that this would be a private road that I was travelling on? Also, in deference to the habitat requirements of pelicans and other living creatures, I would drive something with a smaller carbon footprint than a Bugatti. That is, unless no such alternate vehicle was available and it was an emergency – say, alerting the authorities that nefarious beings from a distant constellation were up to no good. In any case, I would make every effort not to do what the driver did in this clip.
I hope that answers your inquiry.
Best regards,
Amanda
Hey Amanda!
I have a question for you:
I too am like yourself. I have very high academic ability. I have skipped gr. five.
Is there anything you think I should do to make school more challenging for me in grade 7? STAR academy is not available where I live. Thanks!
Katrina
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Hey Katrina,
First of all, congratulations on skipping grade 5! You obviously didn’t have too many teachers like Mrs. Wheedlbum or a principal like Mr. Murkly at your school, since at least your talents were recognized, which is a good start.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you skip another grade before you finish high school. But meanwhile, if the curriculum at your school isn’t all that interesting or challenging for you, and there are no schools for gifted students nearby, perhaps there are clubs at your school that you could join – or you could start a club of your own? Maybe a science club or an astronomy club, if your interests are like mine. That way, you could study advanced material that is compatible with your interests, and also get together with other kids who share your passion for learning (and if you’re lucky, maybe even meet some teachers who do too!)
Some schools also have debating clubs. They are not only a great way to meet other smart kids, but also a means of pushing your own intellect into new areas that you might not otherwise be motivated to explore, since you never know what subject you’ll have to debate, or which side of an argument you’ll be asked to present. It’s a great way to open up some new neural pathways and have some fun with friends.
But whatever you decide to do, I would definitely stay away from getting involved with aliens who are trying to take over the world, no matter what they promise you in terms of favours after they’re running the show. Eugenia Snootman has been laying low for the past while for that exact reason. I have been sworn to secrecy about her condition (her father threatened to sue all of us kids at the STAR Academy for $100 million each if they said anything about what she’s doing now) but it’s safe to say that Eugenia probably wishes she hadn’t tried to become quite so much like Headmistress Oppenheimer and Professor Leitspied!
You can also go to the “links” section of this website, which has online contact information for some great websites and resources for people our age.
I hope that information is helpful to you. Let me know how it turns out.
Happy New Year!
Amanda
Hey Amanda!
Thanks for the help! I think I’ll start a “scientists of the future” club at my school. You’re my idol!
Katrina
PS: Is being a scientist the profession of your choice? I know it’s mine!
Hey Katrina,
Thanks! And that would be great if you started a “scientists of the future” club at your school! Let me know how it goes! I know that I’m a lot happier since I hooked up with Evelyn, Derek and Sanjay. They totally get who I am, and it’s really intellectually stimulating to have conversations with them. And yes, you guessed it, “scientist” is my future profession of choice. I’m leaning towards physics because of my interest in space exploration, though lately I’ve become interested in biology too, for reasons that will become clear in the sequel to STAR Academy. HINT: It has something to do with Eugenia Snootman’s “condition”. I would explain more, but as I mentioned, her father, Bill Snootman, has sworn me and everyone else at the Academy to secrecy until she is “cured”. (Whoops, I never said that, okay?)
What about you? Which areas of science interest you the most?
Regards,
Amanda
Hi Amanda!!
My name is Deon Curtis Miller, and I prrobably shouldn’t tell u this, but do u know anything about Jimmy Two-Shoes?
Hey Amanda, do you know anything about Jimmy Two Shoes?
If you mean season 2, then no, Deon – I think know more about aliens than I do about the hyper-secretive world of Jimmy Two Shoes season 2! However, I’m a huge fan of season one; Derek, Evelyn, Sanjay and I watch it together every week when we take a break from our STAR Academy experiments – interstellar travel, underwater habitation, and the like. Come to think of it though, some people have said that I remind them of Heloise – though only because I enjoy inventing things. Heloise’s nasty side reminds me much more of Eugenia Snootman. Cheers, Amanda.
Amanda, who is your idol? And, this is a little random, what is your favorite flavor of pie? :D
The Dalai Lama and pumpkin pie. What about you?