Camps that focus on many different fields of science and technology are available across the country for children of elementary school age and up. Some of the organizations listed in the section above may provide information. In addition, check the...
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Help With Science
The following websites are some of the many that contain great links for both you and your child, in addition to the federal websites. Most of these listings provide information about how to search for specific information and links to...
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Through the Internet, your child can have access to a vast array of science resources. Many of these resources are both educational and entertaining. Others, however, are inappropriate for children or provide inaccurate information. Here are some suggestions for helping...
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Even though the quality of the science programming seen on TV varies a lot, some programs are able to provide accurate science information in a way that both informs children and captures and holds their interest....
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Children don't need fancy science toys or kits to learn science. However, if you want to buy them for your child, you'll find that toy stores, hobby shops and science specialty shops have a large selection of kits and toys...
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Ask. Cobblestone Publishing Company. Toll-free: (800) 821-0115. www.cobblestonepub.com. (grades 2-4)...
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Cobb, Vicky. Don't Try This at Home! Science Fun for Kids on the Go. New York: Harper Trophy, 1998. (P)...
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Adler, David A. How Tall, How Short, How Far Away. New York: Holiday House, 1999. (P)...
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Arnold, Caroline. Animals That Migrate. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda, 1982. (P)...
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January, Brendan. Science in the Renaissance. Danbury, CT: Franklin Watts/Grolier, 1999. (E)...
Continue reading "The History and Nature of Science Books"
Aulenbach, Nancy Holler and Barton, Hazel A., with Delano, Marfé Ferguson. Exploring Caves: Journeys Into the Earth. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 2001. (E)...
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Allan, Jerry and Allan, Georgiana. The Horse and the Iron Ball: A Journey Through Time, Space, and Technology. Minneapolis: Lerner, 2000. (E)...
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Aliki. Digging Up Dinosaurs. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell, 1981. (P)...
Continue reading "Archaeology, Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Times Books"
Baeuerle, Patrick and Landa, Norbert. The Cell Works: Microexplorers: An Expedition Into the Fantastic World of Cells. New York: Barrons Juveniles, 1997. (E)...
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Libraries and bookstores now have available an enormous number of excellent science-related books for children. When making selections, you may want to consider questions that the National Science Teachers Association uses in evaluating books. For instance:...
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American Association for the Advancement of Science. A Family Guide to Science. Washington, DC, 2003. (Available online at www.scienceeverywhere.org)...
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Federal Sources of Information...
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Research has shown that children at all grade levels do better in school, feel more confident about themselves as learners and have higher expectations for themselves when their parents are supportive of and involved with their education. Here are some...
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Many communities have groups and organizations that include science programs as part of their services for children. Some may sponsor local summer science camps—focusing on areas that range from computers and technology to natural science to space. Check out, for...
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Your child may recognize that many people use science to do their jobs—chemists, doctors, science teachers, computer technicians and engineers, for example. However, she may not realize that many other jobs also require science skills....
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A visit to a farm can be a wonderful trip for you and your child. If you don't know a farmer, ask for a referral from your county extension office, farm bureau or local agriculture office....
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Planetariums have wonderful exhibits and activities for youngsters. There are over 1,000 planetariums in the United States, ranging from small ones that hold about 20 people to giant facilities with hundreds of seats. These facilities are particularly useful for children...
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In museums, both you and your child can have fun and learn science together. Science and technology museums, natural history museums and children's museums can be found in many middle-sized and smaller communities, as well as in large cities....
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Zoos are great places for you to encourage your child's interest in the natural world and to introduce him to exotic animals that he might not otherwise ever see. Here are a few suggestions to help make your visit to...
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Our communities offer many opportunities and resources to help children learn science, including: Zoos, Museums, Planetariums, Aquariums, Farms, Science at Work, Community Groups & Organizations and Other Community Resources...
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All ages Making cakes is an enjoyable way to help children of all ages learn about chemical reactions and change....
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Grades 4 and 5 A crystal is a special kind of solid. Growing crystals introduces children to change and variation....
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Grades 3 and up A few seeds and household plants can teach children about cause and effect and change....
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Grades 3 and up Here are some great hands-on ways to learn about static electricity....
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Grades 2–3 This activity introduces children to the scientific concepts of volume and measurement....
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Grades 2–3 Adhesives are used to stick things together. Many adhesives occur in nature and have important uses for plants and animals....
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Grades 1–2 Capillary action is the name for the process that takes place when a paper towel soaks up a spilled liquid or when a plant transfers water from its roots to its leaves....
Continue reading "Celery Stalks at Midnight"
Grades 1–2 When one object moves against another, the result is friction....
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Kindergarten–Grade 1 Learning to make and test predictions is a good first step toward making and testing hypotheses....
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Kindergarten–Grade 1 Children can improve their understanding of the natural world and their classification skills by observing bugs....
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Preschool–Kindergarten Children can learn more about surface tension and about change just by blowing bubbles!...
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Preschool–Kindergarten These simple activities demonstrate surface tension....
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Your home is a great place for you to begin to explore science with your child. Incorporating science activities and language into familiar routines will show your child how science works in his everyday life and provide him with a...
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Children learn by doing, by trying new ideas and challenging old ones. This doesn't just happen in school. You can help your child learn by providing him with safe, interesting learning experiences in a supportive atmosphere....
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Science fiction writer Isaac Asimov describes science as a "way of thinking." It is a way to look at the world that involves special principles of conduct, and the early years of elementary school are a good time to start...
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It's hard for children to understand evolution (how things change over time) and equilibrium (how things attain a steady and balanced state of being). During these early years, you can, however, talk about how things change over time and point...
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Scientists test the explanations they come up with, and the results of their tests are evidence on which to base their explanations. Sometimes they call their explanations "theories" or "models" or "hypotheses". Children can test their theories about the world...
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Children can be introduced gradually to basic scientific concepts that will provide a framework for understanding and connecting many scientific facts and observations. In this website, we will focus on five concepts and processes taken from the National Science Education...
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Different children have different interests and will respond differently to science activities. A sand and rock collection that was a big hit with an 8-year-old daughter may not be a big hit with a 6-year-old son....
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Investigating and experimenting are great ways for children to learn science and increase their understanding of scientific ideas. Hands-on science can also help children think critically and gain confidence in their own ability to solve problems. Young children especially are...
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As mentioned earlier, it's important to encourage your child to ask questions. It's also important to ask your child questions that will get him talking about his ideas and to listen carefully to his answers. Keep in mind that children's...
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In everyday interactions with your child, you can do many things—and do them without lecturing or applying pressure—to help her learn science. Here are a few ideas:...
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As a parent, you are preparing your child for a world vastly different from the one in which you grew up. Our increasingly technological society will need citizens who have received far more advanced instruction in science and technology than...
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Very young children can come up with many interesting explanations to make sense of the world around them. When asked about the shape of the earth, for example, some will explain that the earth has to be flat because, if...
Continue reading "Children Have Their Own Scientific Concepts"
Science is not just a collection of facts. Of course, facts are an important part of science: Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (or 0 degrees Celsius), and the earth moves around the sun. But science is much, much more. Science involves:
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Why is the sky blue? Why do things fall to the ground? How do seeds grow? What makes the sound and music? Where do mountains come from? Young children ask their parents hundreds of questions like these. In search of...
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