Gordon Penrose
Canadian scientist, educator and author
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Gordon Penrose | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 24, 1925 |
| Died | December 16, 1997 (aged 72) |
| Occupation | York Borough master science teacher |
| Awards | Fellow of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education |
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
- 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.