Science Suggestions for Parents

The goal of this project is simple: to help your child appreciate science.

We looked at some of the best science projects from some of the best museums in the country. Then we adapted them for the Web. Some of these activities are entirely electronic. Your child will do everything on screen. Others require you to go to your kitchen or backyard. They are designed for students in kindergarten through second or third grade.

In either case, the object is to make science fun, practical, and realistic.

Here are some suggestions for using these projects to best advantage:

Use a question as a way to start a conversation—don't just answer it directly. For example, if your child asks, "Why does a tree 'bleed' when you cut its branch?" you could just answer, "That's the sap." But it's more powerful to start a discussion by relating the question to something the child may already know: For example: "Well, just like your body has blood, trees have sap. What exactly does your blood do, anyway?"
Make a pattern of observing nature and science in your own life. Keep a notebook in the car or backpack for recording interesting findings.
Record your observations in creative ways. "How about making a scrapbook for all these different leaf shapes?" "Maybe we should capture this on videotape so we can compare it to what we'll see next time."
Help children relate new things to what they already know. "Look — this insect has two sets of wings. Have you ever seen another insect with two sets of wings?"
Look for surprises — things that break the rules. "Why does a feather 'float' even though it's heavier than air?"
Keep things light. Put less emphasis on "true facts" and more on the scientific process of looking around, posing questions, and looking around some more.

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