Family Science Expeditions
Textbooks packed with data can make science boring or overwhelming for many students.
Science, by its very nature, is all about curiosity, experimentation, observation, and experience.
Right in your own backyard (yes, even in a cityscape) is an ecosystem waiting to be explored. A magnifying glass and a scavenger hunt list is an easy way to get young students going. Robotics kits, chemistry sets, and habitat houses abound, are readily available for purchase online, and keep students thinking and learning on rainy days. Your entire family can enjoy science expeditions together. Here are just a few ideas:
Visit your local nature center for special events and exploration. Most of these programs are free.
Your local library will likely offer a variety of summer programming. Check to see if they’ll have any wildlife experts visiting if your kids love animals.
County and state fairs offer exposure to farm animals and farm products. They are a great way to begin your student’s farm-to-table education.
Check out the websites for local county, state, and national parks. Park rangers often offer free talks and walks. Many national parks participate in the Junior Ranger program. They offer students of varying ages free books to guide their experience and aid learning. At the end of the experience, students can take a Junior Ranger oath and receive a unique site-based badge for their efforts. My own kids amassed quite a collection!
Consider a day at a local zoo, aquarium, museum of industry, or hands-on museum, BUT go with a PLAN! Wandering around aimlessly is unlikely to yield much learning. Plan to catch a show or participate in a craft or demonstration. Look up field trip guides to find an educational scavenger hunt or ideas for how to engage with the exhibits. As a family, create a “BIG 3Q” list.
Brainstorm possible questions and plan to seek answers at the venue. Selecting just 3 will feel doable and will likely trigger more investigation.
Try geocaching with older students. Download the free Geocaching app to find coordinates for many of the caches in your local area. Geocaching provides/promotes hiking, problem-solving, puzzle-solving/cryptograms, orienteering/compass work, and more.
Explore edible chemistry. Plan some baking projects and learn together how scientific processes and chemical reactions cause cakes/bread to rise and sugar to caramelize. So many delicious lessons, so little time.
Give your student opportunity to engage in real life scientific inquiry and discover the joy of discovery!
