--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I knew Pluto was popular among elementary…" description: "\"I knew Pluto was popular among elementary schoolkids, but I had no idea they would mobilize into a 'Save Pluto' campaign. I now have a drawer full of h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_ass_i-knew-pluto-was-popular-among-elementar_1471779.jpg" --- # I knew Pluto was popular among elementary schoolkids, but… ![“I knew Pluto was popular among elementary schoolkids, but I had no idea they would mobilize into a 'Save Pluto' campaign. I now have a drawer full of hate letters from hundreds of elementary schoolchildren (with supportive cover letters from their science teachers) pleading with me to reverse my…” quote by Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_ass_i-knew-pluto-was-popular-among-elementar_1471779.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_ass_i-knew-pluto-was-popular-among-elementar_1471779.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ae/neil-degrasse-tyson-143_ass_i-knew-pluto-was-popular-among-elementar_1471779.jpg) > “I knew Pluto was popular among elementary schoolkids, but I had no idea they would mobilize into a 'Save Pluto' campaign. I now have a drawer full of hate letters from hundreds of elementary schoolchildren (with supportive cover letters from their science teachers) pleading with me to reverse my stance on Pluto. The file includes a photograph of the entire third grade of a school posing on their front steps and holding up a banner proclaiming, 'Dr. Tyson - Pluto is a Planet!'” [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A humorous anecdote about receiving strong opposition from schoolchildren to a scientific stance on Pluto’s planetary status. **In simple terms:** Children passionately defended Pluto as a planet. Key Takeaway Respect youthful curiosity while explaining scientific criteria. Themes education science communication public perception humor Mood lighthearted engaging Type educational humorous When to use this quote - classroom discussions - media interviews - science outreach Key Concepts planetary classification public engagement science literacy Questions to Reflect On - How can scientists engage young audiences constructively? - What role does humor play in science communication? A Different Perspective The anecdote may exaggerate for effect and not reflect broader scientific consensus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad ass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-ass/) [Campaigns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/campaigns/) [Elementary school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elementary-school/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Pluto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pluto/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Science teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-teacher/) [Science Teachers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-teachers/) [Teacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/teacher/) [Third grade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/third-grade/) ## Related quotes > [“Regarding kids who attended church, Beemer found that: Eighty-three percent said their science teachers taught them that the earth was millions or billions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-ham/regarding-kids-who-attended-church-beemer-found-that-eighty-three/) [Ken Ham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-ham/) > [In a better world, science teachers would teach creationism along with evolution as an exercise in critical thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katha-pollitt/in-a-better-world-science-teachers-would-teach-creationism-along-with/) [Katha Pollitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katha-pollitt/) > [We must be willing to pay inspiring math and science teachers, who have high paying alternatives in industry, more to teach and reward students…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-kennedy/we-must-be-willing-to-pay-inspiring-math-and-science-teachers-who/) [Mark Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-kennedy/) > [Audiences of critical thinkers are my favorite kinds of audiences. 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