![]() Look at television commercials and question their claims. When was the last time you wondered why something happened or how something worked? Look at categories that interest you, such as sports, gardening, or even video games. To help your child come up with his own science project, use these question-starters: There are no students proficient at grade level in math or reading at dozens of Illinois public schools, according to a new report from a nonprofit research Network News - Academies of Math & Science. "It may not have done what they thought it would do, but that doesn't make it wrong," says Ward. More Than 30 Illinois Public Schools Have No Students Proficient. The most important lesson kids may walk away with is that there is no right or wrong answer. That method can be used to solve any problem." You come up with a hypothesis, then a way to test your hypothesis, then do the experiment to test it, analyze your data and make a conclusion. "It teaches them to use a scientific method to solve problems. "The science fair gets them thinking in a scientific way," says Ward. Science projects are terrific learning experiences because the end result isn't so much what the child finds, but the process by which they find it. ![]() Since many schools hold voluntary science fairs, kids, and their parents, often shy away if they don't feel they have a good experiment. And, if she has her own idea, it's more rewarding." These kinds of questions make great experiments. Kids need to look around their life and see what kinds of questions they have. Learn how leaves get water This is a great example of experiments for kids to teach about plant adaptations and the cycle of plants. "I've seen kids do projects that look at whether playing computer games will help them do something better. Rather than try to work with a whole class, the chemistry experi- ments described below can he set up. "The experiment can be as simple as ‘how come I feel hotter when I wear the red side of my jersey instead of the white when I play soccer?' or ‘Do I really need to go to bed at 8:15?'" says Ward. Physics Science Activities Science Experiments. Make diver swim up and down in a bottle using science. Cartesian Divers A classic science experiment exploring buoyancy. ![]() Making a personal connection to a science experiment like Claudia did is often what sustains children's interest, says Dana Ward, an elementary school teacher who coordinates the science fair at Ocean Avenue School in Northport, NY. This easy science fair project uses a minimum of materials but demonstrates how everyday polymers work. "She started playing the instrument this year after years of playing the clarinet," says her mom, Carol. When Claudia Meyer of Raleigh, NC, set out to participate in the science fair at her school, she wanted to find out why her instrument, the oboe, tunes the orchestra. ![]() But the best projects often come from your child's simple, everyday observations. Sure, you can comb Web sites that list ideas that have already been done. Often the hardest part about doing a science project is picking the right experiment. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |