A science experiment gone bad doesn't make me a criminal (Kiera Wilmot blogs)

[pokerfan]

Sounds like it was a school science project after all....

05/23/2013
Kiera blogs for ACLU.org about how she and her family have been affected by the school-to-prison pipeline:

My science teacher said we could each pick a science project that has to do with biology, chemistry or physics. He said we couldn't do a baking soda and vinegar volcano because that was at the fifth grade level. I especially like chemistry, and the reacting. I like seeing two or more different things become something else. So I was asking friends around for project ideas. Someone suggested to me to combine aluminum foil and toilet bowl cleaner in a water bottle to make a volcano.

That morning I was taking the experiment to be approved by my teacher. My friends and I were outside, and they wanted to see how it worked. Eventually they convinced me to try it. It did not react the way I expected it to. The lid popped off and smoke came out. If I could go back in time, I definitely wouldn't have done it.

http://www.aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/unexpected-reaction-why-science-experiment-gone-bad-doesnt-make-me-criminal

[snappyturtle]

1. This case will do more to kill intellectual curiosity than anything else. imho nt

[sharp_stick]

2. The idiots and their zero tolerance

bullshit are doing more to kill kids interest and enjoyment of school than anything.

She didn't hurt anyone or do damage to anything. Furthermore she didn't intend to hurt anyone or do damage.

The school should have sat her down and told her that she has to be more careful and ask advice from a teacher before running an experiment. Then told her how happy they were that she's actually interested in science. But no, they call the fucking cops and come damned close to destroying her life.

[pokerfan]

4. It reminds me of another case in Canada

From 2008...

Lewis Casey, an 18-year-old in Saskatchewan, had built a small chemistry lab in his family's garage near the university where he studies. Then two weeks ago, police arrived at his home with a search warrant and based on a quick survey of his lab determined that it was a meth lab. They pulled Casey out of the shower to interrogate him, and then arrested him.

A few days later, police admitted that Casey's chemistry lab wasn't a meth lab - but they kept him in jail, claiming that he had some of the materials necessary to produce explosives. Friends and neighbors wrote dozens of letters to the court, testifying that Casey was innocent and merely a student who is really enthusiastic about chemistry.

http://io9.com/5119166/teen-with-home-chemistry-lab-arrested-for-meth-bombs

First they think it's a meth lab and when that doesn't pan out, decide he has material to produce explosives--like pretty much any chemistry lab.

[sharp_stick]

5. Unbelievable

He is no longer allowed to engage in chemistry activity except while at school.

All because the cops are too dumb to actually ask someone what kind of science this kid was doing. They could have asked one of his profs to check out the lab but that would have meant admitting they didn't have a clue what was going on.

[malthaussen]

3. There is good news in this story:

http://newsone.com/2459382/kiera-wilmot-nasa-engineer-scholarship/

-- Mal

[pokerfan]

6. Very cool

Saw that in the other thread.