The 3D Homeschool: Bring Your Science to Life
January 23, 2020Science lessons are one of the best ways to get your kid’s nose out of the textbook and their hands firmly grasped around the wonders of the natural world. But take it from us: if you leave your lesson plan at nothing more than worksheets and vocabulary quizzes, it’s going to be a lot harder to get them to care about the world around them. There are so many ways to teach your child about science that are exciting and fun, and we’re going to be running down a few of them here at Homeschool.com.
Great Chemistry
Nothing gets a kid more excited than watching something spark, fizzle and pop…and this goes double when they’ve caused that reaction all by themselves! There are a lot of ways you can teach your child about chemical reactions and science experiments in a way that doesn’t just let them learn important scientific concepts but will have them itching to pick up the test tube again in no time flat.
Shine a Light
One of the great things about teaching your child science is that science is literally all around you, and it’s easy to harness the power of the natural world to excite and edify your child. The sun is never more than a glance away, and since it forms the backbone of life on earth it’s a great thing for kids to learn about early. With the right equipment, it can be a simple thing to show your kid the workings behind the power of light through enjoyable hands-on activities and science experiments.
Spacing Out
When you were a child you probably went through a phase where you were absolutely fascinated with outer space, and we’d bet money that your own child is no different. The outer reaches are so mysterious and exciting that it’s tough not to get interested in our galaxy once you start learning about it! Space is a huge and endlessly fascinating subject, and there are plenty of ways you can teach them about the cosmos in a way that’s fun and helps them retain information.
To the Ends of the Earth
Learning about geology doesn’t mean you have to flop open a textbook and look at pictures of rocks all day. Why not have your kids craft some beautiful rock creations of their own and learn about the wonders of the solid earth with their own two hands? Geoscience is a fantastic opportunity to get your kids into some safe and easily digestible hands-on learning.
Take Them on Field Trips
Did you know that there’s a lot of data regarding how field trips aren’t just fun and educational for kids but can help them grow up to be healthier adults as well? Learning about science is all about learning the realities behind everyday life, after all. Take students out in the world to a planetarium or greenhouse and show them how nature works firsthand. You never know what they might discover on their next trip!
Go Nuclear
No matter what you personally think about nuclear energy, the fact remains that it’s a huge part of the modern world and there’s a good chance it’ll still be here by the time your children grow up. One of the most important parts of science is making sure your children understand the possibilities of the present and the days ahead too. Educating them about the processes, perils, and benefits of nuclear science won’t just help their scientific mind grow, it’ll prepare them for the future as well.
Under the Sea
The ocean is an endless and mysterious source of fascination for adults and children alike, and there’s no better way to stoke your child’s interest in science than by exposing them to the natural wonders of the aquatic world early. Taking your child to an aquarium near you can be a great way to give them hands-on experience with a fascinating subclass of science, and even if you don’t live near one you can always bring them to the pet store for a fun pop quiz on different kinds of fish!
Keeping up with Homework
Of course, your curriculum can’t just be nothing but field trips and live science experiments: sooner or later your child is going to have to buckle down and prove their learned expertise in writing. Fortunately, homework and testing don’t have to be a drag: there are tons of fun ways to test your child’s knowledge that won’t drive them (or you) up the wall.
Tell Us Your Science Experiment Stories
What do you think about our list of fun ways to keep your kids interested in and knowledgeable about the world of science? Is there anything we missed, or any tips and tricks you’d like to share with your fellow parents? Sound off in the comments below, or get in touch with us directly! You never have to worry over a lack of fun and exciting ways to get your kids to learn and love when you have the right homeschooling tools at your disposal.
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