WHEN EDUCATOR GETS KIDS EXCITED OVER SCIENCE . . . SPARKS FLY.

Byline: Annette Burget Bailey Daily News Staff Writer

Scientist Robert Krampf may not have the same name recognition as Thomas Edison, but he hopes his one-man show, ``Watt is Electricity,'' might inspire one or two youngsters to follow in his footsteps.

More than 380 elementary students filled the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza's Scherr Forum Theatre on Wednesday morning and listened as Krampf explained the whys and hows of static and current electricity, amps, volts and the difference between direct and alternating currents.

Throughout the 50-minute presentation, he picked enthusiastic volunteers to help demonstrate the wonders of static electricity. The audience watched in disbelief as fourth-grader Sammie Wright's hair stood on end as she willingly received a massive zap of negative static electricity.

``It felt really weird, kind of hard to explain, but it was a lot of fun,'' said Sammie, who attends Bedford Open School in Camarillo.

Another anxious volunteer from the crowd agreed to receive several volts from a Tesla coil while standing in a metal cage. It would have been a rather intimidating request, but not to Josh White, a second-grader from Lang Ranch Elementary School.

``I didn't feel a thing, and I'd do it again,'' said White.

The presentation was part of the Ventura County Discovery Center's Science Theater Series, which receives funding from Amgen Inc., and the Office of the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools.

Krampf, 42, has been doing his science theme shows for 12 years, touching on such topics as fire, lightning, water and electricity.

``Developing shows is part of the fun. I like to keep the show as flexible as possible and not follow a script for fear of sounding too canned,'' he said.

Krampf's interest in science began as a youngster. After graduating with a degree in geology from the University of Tennessee, he taught geology, biology, chemistry, archeology and physics.

Today, Krampf travels to museums and schools across the country entertaining and educating elementary school students and families with fun facts he's learned along the way.

He's also appeared on ``Late Night'' with David Letterman, ``This Morning,'' and CNN.

``Performing for families is my favorite - when you have a mom and dad and all the kids, it inspires me, because you'll see them talking afterward discussing the show,'' he said.

The nonprofit Ventura County Discovery Center was founded in 1993 by a group of concerned local parents, teachers and scientists interested in educating community members about science and has grown to include more than 120 volunteers.

Programs director Catherine Fuderich said the group has been pleased with the positive response from the community and looks forward to continued growth as an organization.

The group has since grown to include more than 120 volunteers who work in outreach programs, exhibits, storytelling and behind the scenes as support staff.

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) Sammie Wright, 10, a fourth-grader at Bedford Open School, laughs as her hair is raised during a static electricity demonstration at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

(2--Color) Bolts shoot from the hand of Robert Krampf, who wears a glove during an exhibition.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News