Gordon Penrose

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Gordon Penrose
Born(1925-07-24)July 24, 1925
DiedDecember 16, 1997(1997-12-16) (aged 72)
NationalityCanadian
OccupationYork Borough master science teacher
AwardsFellow of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

Gordon William Gavin Penrose CM (July 24, 1925 – December 16, 1997), nicknamed the Zany Dr. Zed, was a Canadian scientist, educator, and author of children's science books.[1] His works have been featured in OWL magazine and ChickaDEE magazine,[2] and he played the role of Dr. Zed for the children's television show OWL/TV.[3][4][5]

Penrose's philosophy was based on interactive science experiments on the belief that children learn best by doing. Consequently, his books describe experiments that require as little adult supervision as possible.[1][6][7] Penrose's audience is eight- to twelve-year-olds, who are in Piaget's "concrete operations" stage, where abstract thinking about hypotheticals is not yet fully developed.[1]

He died on December 16, 1997, at the age of 72.[8]

Bibliography[edit]

  • Dr. Zed's Brilliant Book of Science Experiments (juvenile), illustrations by Linda Bucholtz-Ross, Greey de Pencier Publications, 1977.
  • Dr. Zed's Zany Brilliant Book of Science Experiments, 1978.
  • Dr. Zed's Dazzling Book of Science Activities (juvenile), Greey de Pencier Publications, 1982.
  • Magic Mud and Other Great Experiments (juvenile), illustrations by Tina Holdcroft, Greey de Pencier Publications, 1987.
  • Dr. Zed's Science Surprises (juvenile), Simon & Schuster (New York), 1989.
  • Sensational Science Activities with Dr. Zed (juvenile), Simon & Schuster (New York), 1990.
  • More Science Surprises from Dr. Zed (juvenile), Simon & Schuster (New York), 1992.
  • Science Fun: Hands-on Science with Dr. Zed, 1998.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Dickson, Nancy (1983). "Dr. Zed's Dazzling Book of Science Activities: Book Review". CM: A Reviewing Journal of Canadian Materials for Young People. The Manitoba Library Association. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  2. ^ Webster, Alma (1990). "Dr. Zed's Sensational Science Activities: Book Review". CM: A Reviewing Journal of Canadian Materials for Young People. The Manitoba Library Association. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  3. ^ Bain, Amy Jo; Richer, Janet; Weckman, Janet (2001). Physical Sciences: Curriculum Resources and Activities for School Librarians and Teachers. Libraries Unlimited. p. 93. ISBN 9781563086809.
  4. ^ "Owlkids: Then and Now - Owlkids". Owlkids. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  5. ^ "Owl Tv (1985)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  6. ^ Robertson, Joanne (1988). "Magic Mud and Other Great Experiments: Book Review". CM: A Reviewing Journal of Canadian Materials for Young People. The Manitoba Library Association. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  7. ^ Williams, Eve (1990). "Dr Zed's Science Surprises". CM: A Reviewing Journal of Canadian Materials for Young People. The Manitoba Library Association. Retrieved 2018-01-30.
  8. ^ "Gordon William Gavin Penrose, C.M., M.Ed". Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 24 January 2022.

External links[edit]