What even is “science at home”?
Science is a big deal in school, but what about at home? Even if you're not doing lab experiments with your kids, there are plenty of ways to make science a part of your day-to-day routine. Here are just a few ideas to get you started!
Science is NOT about big explosions. Science IS about understanding how the world around you works and functions.
If you want your child to engage with science at home, help them understand how different aspects of their daily lives work and the explanation behind it.
Next time you tell them to not leave the lights on because it wastes electricity, explain to them all the steps needed to provide the electricity that charges their phones and keeps their lights on.
When they tell you why they don’t want to go to bed so early, teach them about the biological reasons why mammals need sleep.
Do you get annoyed when they sneeze on you without covering their mouths? Explain to tell how colds work and how they are infecting you.
It seems like every other toy company is throwing the term “STEM” around as a buzzword, but what does it really mean? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These are important fields of study that help us understand the world around us and allow us to create new technologies, products and solutions. However, many toys marketed as STEM toys don’t actually involve any real science. They just rely on flashing lights and loud noises to get kids excited. If you want your child to engage in real science learning, look for toys that require critical thinking, analysis and reflection. Talk to your child about what they learned from their playtime and ask them open-ended questions about how they think things work.
This is what inspired us to make STEM@Home. We wanted to be able to give students REAL science, not psuedo-science. It is all well and good that students want to be able to play with “fun science” but many students also want to learn. They want to be able to improve their own understanding and grades through “play”. Our main focus is on pedagogy and attainment so we can improve the lives and aspirations of our users.
We hope this article has shown you that science is all around us, and that there are many ways for students to learn about it. No matter where you live or what your financial situation may be, there are opportunities for your child to engage with science in a meaningful way. Parents play a crucial role in helping their children understand the world around them, and we encourage you to take advantage of the resources available through STEM@Home. With just a little effort, you can help your child explore real science right from home! Have you tried using any of these methods to get your child interested in science?
