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Discover science all
around us
Science teaches children a great deal about their world,
their interests and their abilities. In fact, the more
opportunities kids have to ask questions, make
observations and learn through hands-on experiences—all
science skills—the more likely they will excel in other
subject areas as well. A solid foundation in science
will also give your child an advantage when it comes
time to enter the workplace. Economic forecasters
predict good jobs will be plentiful for graduates with a
solid background in math, science and technology.
Now is the time to encourage your budding scientist!
Science at school tends to be active and "hands-on." It
is often taught along with language arts, math and
history so that students can see the connections between
science and other subjects.
Science can be made all the more meaningful for children
when parents routinely encourage scientific discovery
beyond the school day. The good news is this is an age
when children are naturally curious about their world.
It doesn't take much to light the fuse and get your kids
excited about science and viewing the world as their
laboratory.
Consider making science a family theme this summer when
planning activities and projects with your children.
Here's a sampling of ideas and activities to get you
started and keep the boredom at bay:
-
Tap into natural interest areas. Older children will enjoy
reading The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay or
visiting
www.howstuffworks.com on the Web. Pick up a
copy of Sports Science for Young People by George
Barr for your A-Rod in training or Science Arts:
Discovering Science Through Art Experiences by
MaryAnn F. Kohl for your budding Picasso. No matter
their interests, there's bound to be a scientific
angle on it worth exploring.
-
Make the kitchen your laboratory. Being able
to eat what they experiment with can be a great
motivator for children. Even with a low-tech project
like baking bread, children use science skills by
reading and following directions, measuring, telling
time, predicting, observing and taking outside
factors into consideration, like changes in
temperature and humidity. Children's books like
Simple Kitchen Experiments by Muriel Mandell, and
Science Experiments You Can Eat by Vicki Cobb offer
great ideas that combine science and cooking. The
New Kitchen Science: A Guide to Know the Hows and
Whys for Fun and Success in the Kitchen by Howard
Hillman will give you the answers to questions like
"Why do onions make us cry?" or "Are the green spots
in potatoes poisonous?" And if you aren't already
fans of the show, tune in as a family to watch Good
Eats with Alton Brown on the Food Network to learn
still more about the science (and humor) of good
cooking.
-
Exploit "the gross factor." If there's one
thing parents can be certain of it's this: kids are
fascinated by anything gross or disgusting. Dive
into the science of all things gross at Web sites
like
yucky.kids.discovery.com
or in books like
Grossology by Sylvia Branzei and Oh, Yuck!: The
Encyclopedia of Everything Nasty by Joy Masoff.
-
Adopt an unconventional
pet. Children can learn a lot about animals and
ecosystems by taking care of critters of their own.
Beyond the typical dog and cat, there's a whole host
of creatures your child would no doubt love to
adopt: lizards, birds, hamsters, snakes, hermit
crabs, fish, ant farms and so on. Use your
imagination and be sure to do plenty of research
together on proper care and feeding.
-
Take time to stop and smell
the roses. Nature is all around us (country,
city and suburbs alike) and children can learn so
much from being in it. Planting and tending a
vegetable garden and maintaining terrariums, bird
feeders and butterfly or hummingbird gardens let
children observe nature in action. For information
on how to create these types of environments with
children, link to
www.kidsgardening.com or
www.realmacaw.com/pages/birdsanc.html.
-
Brainstorm a fun to-do list
for the summer. Some ideas include nature hikes,
kite-flying contests, moonlight walks and visits to
museums.
-
Bookmark some top-notch science Web sites.
Channel your children's online time in positive
directions by introducing them to exceptional Web
sites that promise plenty of fun. Here are just a
few suggestions to get you started:
-
www.pbskids.org/dragonflytv
www.scholastic.com/MagicSchoolBus/games/home.htm
www.planet-science.com/under11s/index.html
www.girlsgotech.org
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