Posted on: Thursday, March 17, 2005
Never too soon for kids to start studying science
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer
As older siblings concentrate on science fair projects for the Hawai'i State Science and Engineering Fair next month, younger children can get in on the act, too, with a little help from mom and dad.
An extensive list of science-related activities for kids in preschool through grade five is available from the U.S. Department of Education at www.ed.gov/ Getting kids to think about science doesn't require parents to be scientists themselves.
"There's lot of things parents can do to get kids interested in science from a young age," said Shiyana Thenabadu, director of the Hawaii State Science And Engineering Fair.
Community resources such as Bishop Museum, the Waikiki Aquarium and the Hawai'i Nature Center are good places to start, Thenabadu suggested.
In addition, on April 6, the Hawai'i State Science and Engineering Fair will be open to the public, giving kids a chance to see what other students are doing.
Students can't participate in the state science fair until sixth grade, but they can start thinking about it earlier.
"If they are interested and they've done some work on the scientific method at an earlier age, then coming up for a project that is doable, as opposed to unrealistic, is easier," Thenabadu said.
Experimenting with scientific principles also will help students learn science in the classroom.
"I think there is a very direct connect," Thenabadu said.
"By doing it, you learn it, but by just hearing it in the classroom, you don't remember it as well. Going through the steps helps it stick in your mind," Thenabadu said.
Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.
A jump-start in science certainly won't hurt, especially since science will become a part of the Hawai'i State Assessment in 2007, with a pilot test coming as soon as next year.
On the Web
parents/academic/help/
science/part.html. Suggested activities include observing plants or animals, gazing at the stars and moon, baking a cake, and taking apart mechanical items.
At stake: Winners from this event, as well as the winners from the Maui, Windward and Leeward districts will represent the state at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Ariz., May 8-14.
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| Tips in choosing science projects
When picking an activity for your child in preschool through grade five: • Encourage activities that are neither too hard nor too easy for your child. If in doubt, err on the easy side, because something too difficult may give him the idea that science is too hard. Adults often assume that children need spectacular demonstrations to learn science, but this isn't true. • Consider your child's personality and social habits. Some projects are best done alone, others in a group; some require help, others require little or no adult supervision. Solitary activities may bore some children, while group projects may not appeal to others. • Select activities that are appropriate for where you live. Clearly, a brightly lit city isn't the best place for stargazing. • Allow your child to help select the activities. If you don't know whether she would rather collect shells or plant flowers, ask her. When she picks something she wants to do, she will learn more and have a better time doing it. Source: U.S. Department of Education
Fair puts science on display What: The 48th annual State Science and Engineering Fair will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. April 6 at Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, with the awards ceremony beginning at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. Who: A total of 346 projects by students in grades 6 through 12 will be on display. At stake: Winners from this event, as well as the winners from the Maui, Windward and Leeward districts will represent the state at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix, Ariz., May 8-14. |
