| OCR Text |
Show The Daily Utah Chronicle - Page Twelve Thursday. December 6,1990 'Grandpa Wes' makes science fun for children By Robert M. Rowan Chronicle Feature Writer For children who like stories, but are resistant to learning about science, there is a new educational tool available from a former Utahn that makes learning about biology, physics, and mathematics more palatable for children. "Grandpa Wes" Kunkel has combined the art of storytelling with the dreaded science lesson to produce a series of audio tapes featuring the Teeny Tiny Man. Kunkel, a resident of Richland, Wash., takes the Teeny Tiny Man and his listeners on a series of adventures with a scientific purpose. The stories include a visit with a monarch butterfly and a lesson in friction in a sugar bowl. The series, called the "Teeny Tiny Man Adventures in Science," so far includes two tapes; Kunkel and his wife, Helen, currently have plans for four more. The tapes are about 30 minutes to a side, and are produced by the Kunkels. Musician Dan Myers provides musical accompaniment for the stories. The Kunkels have started a business, Kunkel Artistic Technologies, in order to facilitate the marketing and production of their tapes. Kunkel is a Salt Lake native and graduate of East High School. He attended the University of Utah's school of engineering for one year, then joined the Navy in 1942. He spent three years in the Pacific aboard the USS Wasp as an electronics technician. It was here, Kunkel said, that he developed his interest in radio, as he was working with radio and radar aboard the Wasp. After he got out of the Navy, Kunkel returned to the U. for another three years, and then went to to his in degree physics. get Kunkel worked for Westinghouse in Washington as an environmental engineer for 15 years before his retirement in 1989. He has also done environmental consulting work, and in 1974 spent some time in Iran, writing an environmental safety report for the Shah. Kunkel goes by the name "Grandpa Wes" on his tapes because he is one 11 times over. He was telling the children stories long before the business was started, and said in an interview with the Herald that he first the for idea stories his on tape from his wife's got putting was daughter Patty. Patty having trouble keeping her three control under while boys driving in the car, so the Kunkels to some make agreed tapes with music and Kunkel's stories on them. After retiring from their respective jobs at Westinghouse in 1989, the Kunkels took an entrepreneur training course from a college in their area. Grandpa Wes took some classes in storytelling to hone his skills. The Kunkels were in Utah for the Utah Educators' iiaiisiik r) 3 v ir " w ey Tri-Ci- ty CHRONICLE . PHOTOTri-Cit- Association convention at the Salt Palace in October. At that time, Kunkel contacted Salt Lake businessman Randy Campbell, owner of The Chem Shop. Campbell listened to the tapes and was impressed, and has agreed to become Kunkel's first Salt Lake distributor. The tapes are currently on display in Campbell's Crossroads store only, but he said that he plans to begin displaying them at his warehouse store as well, if sales are good. Because Campbell was so impressed with the tapes, he said that he plans to begin playing them in his stores after the noise of the holiday season has died down, in hopes that others will be similarly impressed. Campbell said that he felt that the tapes were very well-don- e and informative for both children and adults. He also said he hoped that the Kunkels produce more volumes, and that people discover the Kunkels' product. Kunkel said that the tapes are "doing very well" sales-wisThe tapes are being offered in seven science gift shops around the country. They are also being played on two public radio stations, one in Boston and one in California. Kunkel also said that he and his wife have storylines in mind for about 12 cassettes featuring the Teeny Tiny Man, and that the next few will focus on environmental issues. e. What your server knows but will never tell you Emfo ymte REGISTER (installment 1) NOW FOR WINTER QUARTER 9 INSTITUTE CLASSES Diet Coke is much. several shades even darker than Classic Coke. He or she can tell which is which in a pinch, even without the tell-tal- e lemon slice. S THURSDAY 10 p.m. - 6- "Fuddy Night" Fu- n- Fuddy) snacks, too (Study Institute Lounge FRIDAY & Library 9 p.m. - Midnight Salt Palace Convention Center , ij$ LDSSA CHRISTMAS FORMAL Live Band: "Probable Cause" Tickets $1 3 per couple in advance at institute SUNDAY 7 p.m. SYMPHONY HALL LDSSA Elder Christmas Fireside Neal A Maxwell Council DECEMBER of the twelve 14 Park City Annual after Finals Ski Day. Cost will be $21 ski pass. Tickets can be purchased for an Park at City that day from 8:00 a.m. 12:00 Noon. LDSSA -- December 31 9 p.m. 1a.m. Cottonwood Mall New Year's Eve Dance come, it's going $7 per person to be iiiii itHKiii i ii t an JL InS V h n JJ Rad!! Coming Soon To A Theatre Near You X .V ; ; ". Herald "Grandpa Wes" Kunkel is shown here taping his "Teeny Uny Man Adventures in Science," education tapes for kids. The tapes are available at The Chem Shop in Crossroads Mall. |
