Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Science

Wayne Szalinski is blinding us—with science.

Though Honey, I Shrunk the Kids might seem like a silly film, it examines the potential impact of an invention as wildly innovative as a shrink ray. It could make shipping goods easier and more cost-effective than ever before. It could forever alter the space program. It could even lead to deliciously oversized food items, minus that whole genetic modification business. Sounds like a dream.

So put on your thinking cap, fire up your streaming device of choice, and get ready for a crash course in Mad Science-ing 101.

Questions About Science

1. Is Wayne a good scientist? Is he an ethical one?
2. Is Wayne's shrink ray a useful invention? Explain.
3. In what way does Nick show an interest in science? How does this affect our understanding of his character?
4. What might be a potential use of shrinking technology that is not mentioned in the film?

Chew on This

Wayne is a bad scientist because he fails to make his invention work without outside intervention.

Wayne is a good scientist because random chance always plays a role in scientific innovation.