Teaching Kids With The Magic Of Chemistry Sciences
Science is a subject some kids love and others cannot stand. Many kids actually question the real life application of projects and experiments, i.e., how can science help them succeed in the real world? Today we are going to answer that question by turning our attention to chemistry science fair projects.
At one time or another all of us have been asked to complete a simple science project or experiment. Whether we are talking about the familiar “erupting” baking soda volcano or the dissection of a cricket, most of us remember and actually learned something. From individuals projects we learned about time management and how to follow directions. From group assignments we learned about teamwork and communication skills.
These days, many students are also expected to participate in a science fair. Events such as these truly challenge students and often bring out the best in them. Whether individually or in a team, a science fair stresses creativity and direct competition. In fact, the project that is the most original and that actually works usually takes the prize at a science fair.
For teachers, a science fair is the perfect opportunity and excuse to give their kids some much needed independence. Depending on their grade and experience level, students are often allowed to attempt any project or experiment they would like, within reason.
For elementary school students, their entry is often a simple model or mobile that requires little more than curiosity and imagination. Whereas a Middle School student will be expected to complete a research project or a simple experiment. Lastly, High School students will typically enter more elaborate and complex experiments that relate to a specific scientific field, e.g., biology, physics, chemistry, etc.
What do teachers expect? While students are often permitted to pick their own projects or experiments for science fairs, teachers often have an ulterior motivate. What we mean is that they give children independence in the hope that they may select a topic that truly interests them. Teachers also prefer it when students select challenging project. After all, the point of a science fair isn’t necessarily to win, but to learn everything you can about the topic you have selected and to draw your own conclusion. Yes, that’s right! Science is all about coming up with innovative solutions to complex problems.
When one of the greatest scientific inventors of our time was asked if he had failed with a new invention he wryly responded, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” That man was Thomas Edison.
And in the end, isn’t that was our school days are all about? About finding new ways to answer old questions. Of course, most school age children are not trying to invent the next light bulb or iPod. They simply want to do something interesting on their own, whether they fail or succeed. Science fairs give children the independence they long for in an increasingly sclerotic school system.
