They may begin to see science as another boring school subject, relegated to the classroom and the realms of books. Showing your children that science isn’t a chore to be studied with your nose in a book, but the building blocks of the world around them will help rekindle that love for science and spark their thirst for knowledge.
Try these methods to get your child interested in the real-world applications of science. Capture their imagination and build the foundations for a lifelong passion for scientific discovery.
Science Kits
Children’s science kits are an excellent resource for getting and keeping your children interested in science. They allow children to conduct scientific experiments in their own home, making them both educational and entertaining. Manufacturers offer kits for a variety of ages and interests, from biology, physics, chemistry, botany, anatomy, engineering, geography, design, robotics, genetics, geology, electronics and astronomy. There is something for everyone.
Visit a Natural History or Science Museum
Your city will likely have a natural history or science museum (or both). These are great places to get children thinking about science and the world around them. They often feature interactive exhibits where your children will get a hands-on understanding of science and the natural world.
Animal Tracking
If your child has a burgeoning interest in biology and animals, teaching them how to track animals is a great way to nurture that interest and use it in real-world applications. Not only is it a great opportunity to get outside and spend time with your child, but they may also find some animals, which leads to untold excitement.
Get a Microscope
A small tabletop microscope doesn’t break the bank, but it provides children with countless hours of intrigue and entertainment as they search for different and varied items to inspect. A dead insect’s wing, pond algae or the petals of a flower take on a new life under the microscope’s lens.
De-emphasize Grades and Enjoy the Process
One of the best parts of having a child interested and passionate about science is that it is enjoyable and educational. It offers an opportunity to learn without placing an emphasis on grades and results. You and your child can spend an afternoon crafting a functioning volcano in the kitchen and your child will have learned something, had fun and spent quality time with their parent. This is more important than any school grade or result.
One of the keys to getting children interested in science, according to Stanford psychology professor Carol Dweck, is to show them that even challenging activities are worth trying and demonstrate that even when tasks become challenging or don’t go to plan, they should not become discouraged. Instead, show them that it is okay to fail (all the best scientists did) but that they should push through and apply themselves to the process.