Conference moira::parenting

    In our school, the Science Fair starts in the third grade.  I think
    the thing to keep in mind s that it doesn't need to be anything
    extravagent-- just something that interests your child and might spark
    an interest in science.
    
    We did carnations and celery in colored water, and both boys (2nd and
    3rd grade) had fun and learned something.  I heard that the class
    liked it as well.
                                            

    I believe there is a push in most schools to start building an interest
    in the sciences earlier.  Introducing it earlier in the child's school
    career is supposed to help alleviate "science-phobia".  

    If you have ever had the opportunity to attend an elementary school 
    Science Fair, it is VERY easy to spot the projects that parents have
    done vs the ones done by the students.  I have very fond memories of my
    son's Lemon Battery project, it was awful.  Never did work, the lemons
    must have been old, or the light to strong, or maybe the moon was in
    the wrong phase;-)  I do think there are elements to be performed by 
    the parent, such as cutting of heavy wires or wood.   

    For a second grader interested in minerals, a colored chart of some
    basic crystal formations and a couple of different "grown" crystals
    would be a good, but simple project.  I don't have to correct ratios
    but you can mix a simple solution of salt and water in a clear glass
    and suspend a string from a pencil or pop-sicle stick into the solution.  
    As the water begins to evaporate the salt crystals will form on the string.
    Most libraries will have how-to books for science projects as well.	

    Hope this helps.

    For some fun science experiments check your library for the book
    "Science Experiments You Can Eat".
    
    I used this book when I did a one-day fill-in for second grade 
    and again for fifth grade.  The kids loved it!  There are things
    in there for all ages.  A couple of examples:
    
    o Mix warm water and a bunch of sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
      Pour it into a shallow pan (like a round cake pan) and put it on
      top of the fridge.  After a few days the water will evaporate and
      you'll have sugar crystals. 
    
    o Not for second grade, but fun - using cold brewed tea and fruit
      juices, find out which juices have iron in them. 
    
    I've had just as much fun with the book as the kids do!
    
    Conni
    

As the previous replies have mentioned the key is to
keep it simple. Many elementary schools don't have
"science" as a subject and this is a way to get kids
comfortable with science in a setting and with people
they find non-threatening. Science can, to a child,
be very frightening. It is a lot like magic. If you
approach it correctly the wonderment and interest will
be incredible. If not it can be a nightmare. In our
elementary school we have had a science specialist and
an actual lab but we still run a science festival so
the kids can show their parents how much fun science
can be!

    I think second grade is a great time for a child to do a science
    project alone IF the project is geared to age of the child.
    
    My second-grader has had to do only one project this year, based on
    what she was studying about wolves - so this wasn't a science project
    as much as a research project.  The teacher sent home a list of about
    20 ideas of simple one-night projects, including making a
    shoebox-scene, writing a poem, making a mobile.  Sally skipped those
    and made a crossword puzzle using wolf facts and terms.
    
    My father gave Sally a book of very easy science projects for
    Christmas.  The big bookstores have them and I'll be the library does
    too.
    
    See what the teacher actually expects - one night?  week?  month?
    
    I think the process (of planning and putting it all together) should be
    much more important than the product (of the finished "project").  Does
    the teacher think that way too?  
                                             

    It amazed me when my kindergartener had a science project due last
    week.  It had to do with weather.  Well, thank goodness I'm married to
    a scientist who came up with a simple experiment that showed how wind
    was "made".  Brian ended up with a blue ribbon from his teacher.  But
    since Brian can't read, guess who had to do all of the research and
    coaching? All in all, I am glad he's being introduced to this now, even
    though I, too, work 40 hours and am taking 2 classes.  It ended up
    being a learning experience for all of us.
    
    LG

    
    When you say "they don't have science" what do you mean?  That there
    isn't a special segment CALLED science, or that they haven't discussed
    anything to DO with science??  I'd find the latter more difficult to
    believe.  Chris thinks he HATES science, but he LOVES learning how
    plants grow, and how it rains and watching the leaves change color, and
    all that good stuff.
    
    If they've ever discussed weather, or planted a seed, or talked about
    day and night or any of those very basic things, then they have covered
    science as topics.  Maybe we're just used to associating more
    complicated aspects of it with the word.
    
    You can take some very very simple things and make a project.  Find a
    cluster of pine needles, a pine cone, some brown pine needles, maybe a
    seedling - you can go pretty far with that.
    
    A rock and some sand - erosion.
    
    A glass of water with plastic wrap and a rubber band over the top, in
    the sun - evaporation and condensation.
    
    Your child knows more about science than you realize, and I'm sure the
    school has taught them more than you're thinking is really "science".
    
    Patty

    Does anyone have a specific ISBN for a book on science projects? David
    (kindergarten!!!) wants to do a project for the school science fair.
    It's voluntary for under grade 3.  Naturally he wants to volunteer : )
    He's asking to do very complicated projects, but I'd like to steer him
    to one that he can handle all by himself.  It should be easy to do,
    explain, and transport from a 6-year old's perspective. I'm stumped!
    Any specific ideas (exact measurements, no cooking, etc.) or book
    references?
    Thanks, Sarah  

    I don't have specifics, but there is a book called
    
    101 Science Experiments You Can Do
    
    My daughter used it in 2nd grade.  It has all kinds of experiments
    for a variety of abilities, from making a buzzer, to colors, to music,
    to flight.  They come with simple directions, most use household
    parts, and they also explain a bit about what's going on (so Mom
    can understand, too)
    
    Diana

    
    Most schools seem to be started astrological stuff around that age -
    does he know anything about planets?  Is he able to make some sort of
    mobile or anything like that?  Even a drawing on poster board, with
    their "rough" locations (at least in relation to each other).
    
    Of course an ant-farm would be a science project! (-;  That's what
    Chris wanted to do!!!  ewwwwwwwwww!

    
    I am trying to remember the projects that my daughter has done -
    tornado tubes (soda bottle and common kitchen ingredients),
    "slide" projector (flash light in a shoe box), colorwheel
    (cardboard and paint), growing crystals, etc.
    
    There are a lot of science project kits you can buy in stores
    like Learning Express and Nature Store. You may check them 
    out for ideas. 
    
    
    Eva

re .10:

Astronomical, not astrological.  I hope, anyway.

    
    THANK YOU !!!  I was writing it going "This is the WRONG word!", but I
    was having brain cramps, and couldn't remember the right one ....
    
    I feel better now...

    You had me wondering there... Hmmm, maybe an astrological chart would
    be rather unique!  Bet there won't be any others there : )
    Now, as to whether it's actually 'science', well, that's open to
    debate...
    Thanks for the ideas. 
    Sarah

    Check ou tthe local science museums -- if you're near Acton,the
    Discovery museum on rt 27 could help.
    
    Bill Nye [the science guy from PBS] also has at least one book out with
    experiments geared toward kids -- I bought it a year ago, haven't needed 
    it yet but with 2 kids, I'm sure the day will come!  Call Royal Books,
    or any other bookstore -- they'd be able to help.
    
    Sandy