Instilling a Love of Science in Your Child

A love and passion for science can give kids an educational advantage. One of the best ways to instill an early love for science into them is to introduce them to some fun science toys. Show them the fun and wonder of science through play. Encourage them to ask questions about why things happen at an early age and they will likely have a lifelong love of science. Here are some science toy suggestions that may help you do just that:

Science Kits - Science kits are the most obvious choice but with so many to pick from, it can be hard to choose. For really young kids, ages 3-5, try the Sid the Science Kid kits. They come in a variety of themes including plants and why wheels are round. They are written at a level that kids that age can understand. For kids from 5-8, try Scientific Explorer kits such as Mind Blowing Science and the Magic of Science. And for older kids, Thames and Kosmos makes a bunch of science kits covering just about every topic that you could imagine. Choose one that will interest you child and make a habit of having a science hour (or half hour) once a week.

Microscope - A microscope can open up an interest into another whole world. A set of slides can show them things they never realized existed. They can also make their own slides by collecting some pond water to observe or looking at their skin cells, a drop of blood, some dirt, etc. The possibilities go on and on.

Snap Circuits - Introduce them to the wonders of electronics with these fun electric kits. Available in several different kits, each one has at least 100 electronic projects that kids can do. Recommended for ages 8 and up but kids as young as 6 can probably do it with a little assistance.

Nature - Let them get a taste of the nature end of science. Let them grow a mini garden or purchase them a butterfly habitat, ladybug land, or ant farm and let them observe these insects for a while.

Build a robot - Kids with a love of robots might enjoy building their own. Toysmith makes several robot kits including the Tin Can Robot, Brush Robot, Robot Duck, and Doodling Robot. These kits sell for less than $15 and are fun and easy to put together.

Find out more about science toys for boys as well as the other best boy toys at bestboytoys.org

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How to Help Your Child Understand Science

The problem is simple. Your child is in school and begins to study serious science. There is a good chance that the book and the instructor are not communicating sufficiently and your child is struggling. This can happen to the best of students. 

Basic science is a key to a successful career in many professional areas that do not require a formal science degree such as medicine. Our school systems have difficulties in meeting their science curriculum. Maintaining a proficient science teaching staff is a challenge in the best of times. Rapidly changing developments in modern science make most texts obsolete soon after they are printed. 

Qualifying examinations for college entrance, government and private sector job applications, and military placement tests, all expect basic science achievement. Learning science is an educational necessity. 

So how to help your child? 

My son was a good student who became lost in a science course. Attempting a required science project independently was impossible. Help began when we went to the library to find books on "Home Science Projects." There are plenty of these to be found and they are simple, brief, and easy to do. We would try as many of these together as time would permit during the school year. I became his assistant. He looked forward to answering my questions. 

These simple projects range over many areas of science. So there is surely a fit available for your child's need. All the items required are inexpensive and easily found in the home or the local hardware store. Today similar introductory projects are to be found on the internet with the added advantage that many websites offer video illustration of the working experiment. All these home projects contain explanations of what is happening and why...very useful for parents. 

Trying these projects develops the fundamental understanding as to how science is done and learned. A project demonstrates science as a process of observation with the results recorded and analyzed. Even projects that don't go quite right present real results. 

Fundamental concepts are learned as your child makes science work. Your child begins to think as a scientist. The cumulative result is science becomes at much more manageable study. .Your child will certainly lift his confidence and enthusiasm as a science student. 

My son was never interested in a science career but his course grades and scores on scholastic achievement tests gained him admission in a top 30 out of state public university. Oh yeah the kid got himself a scholarship to boot. 

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Summer Science Fair Projects Can Entertain Your Child and Give a Head Start on Next School Year

Summer vacation can be filled with days of boredom for elementary-age children. Parents struggle to find activities which fill time, and, if on a budget, do not involve large expense. Planning several cool science projects can serve a dual purpose - keeping a child's mind busy and active and possibly discovering an award winning science project that can be used next school year, when a busy family can dread the coming science fair projects season.

For elementary students, here are a few simple ideas that are low cost and enjoyable but, as well, could turn into super science fair projects.

1. Which shape of kite will fly best? For this project, some research on the shapes and sizes will be necessary, either at the library or on the Internet. It will be important that the materials remain the same, only the shape changing. Other variations of this project could also include materials used, size of kite, different wind velocities, etc. The possibilities are endless.

2. Which type of boat hull has the greatest stability or buoyancy? Which can carry the most weight or glide the farthest? Again, there are about six different hull types, and your child can make boats from milk cartons with each type of hull, testing for each factor. Nothing like a cheap and easy science fair project!

3. Which type of swimming bird feet are the speediest? Which type allows the most maneuverability? This is a quick and easy science fair project for a swimmer! Purchasing three pair of swim fins and then cutting them into three different shapes is all you need for supplies. Let your swimmer come up with the variables for which he or she tests and, perhaps, have a winning science fair project!

5. How about parachutes from black trash bags? Which shape, size, or string type is best? Change the materials used and test again. This would be an awesome science project for two friends to complete together.

Prize winning science fair projects are often those that require far less expense than one would think. Planning and implementing elementary science fair projects during the summer can give the entire family a head start when the school year begins.

Madeline Binder, M.S. Ed, M.S. Human Services Counseling

Summer is a great time for conducting earth science experiments that can evolve into science fair projects next year. Science Fair Projects.com will help you organize your child's experiments into a submission-ready project.

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The Cure For The Curious Child? Thought Provoking Science Projects

Children are often curious about the world around them. Simple concepts that you and I learned about long ago are new and foreign to children. Simple questions like "what is glass made of?" and "why can you see through it?" are just two examples of how everyday things can be such a puzzle for a developing mind.

Lets all be honest; children who are constantly asking questions may be cute at first but we may get tired of the constant inquiries. Of course you want to help your children to learn and grow but you do not always have the time or the effort to explain all that your child wants to know. Nevertheless your child needs to know that you are willing to teach her and so you must find some kind a compromise.

Such a compromise can be found in doing regular science projects together. You can show that you are dedicated to helping your child and cure the curiosity bug at the same time. Setting aside time to regularly work on science projects together is a great way to get hands on experience in answering children's questions. The child benefits from the one on one time with mom and dad and can discover the answers that she is looking for through hands on experience. You will probably agree that telling a child how something works and showing a child how something works are very different (the later being the better option in most cases). It is possible for your child to develop their relationship with parents as well as their ability to be self sufficient when regular science projects become the norm.

Set aside an amount of time that you think is appropriate to do science projects with your kids. It could be once a week, once a month, or whatever other interval you feel is appropriate. Encourage your child to write down their questions and ideas for projects and choose an activity from this list that you can experiment on together. Of course you do not need to do a science project for every question your child asks. You may choose to use a project to visually demonstrate a more complicated concept or you may not know the answer to a question and may want to research it out for yourself and perform your own personal experiments.

Do not worry if you cannot come up with science projects on your own. Some of us simply do not have an affinity for creativity and ingenuity when it comes to creating a project. Fortunately there are resources available to help you in with all of your science project worries. You are sure to find a project that you and your children can enjoy doing together.

Be aware that curiosity is contagious and that as you satisfy and encourage your child's curiosity you may be hit with a bit more curiosity of your own. Science can be fun whether you are in school or at home or whether you are an adult or a child.

Just Science Projects is a well-known source for science projects and science experiments for kids. Just Science Projects features dozens of fun experiments and projects that teach science principles while showing them that science is fun! To get science projects and science fair ideas for your kids , visit us or call us at 206-498-6502.

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Teach Your Child To Analyze With Science Projects

Teaching scientific principles is not something that parents should leave to the schools and the educators of their children. Science holds principles that children use all the time, not just when they are in school. Teaching your child to analyze with science projects can help them learn how to better analyze the everyday world around them. Through this type of analysis children are encouraged to ask questions, find answers and explore possibilities.

Teach your child to analyze with science projects through using the scientific method

Your child can learn to analyze their science projects through a process called the scientific method. The scientific method is a process that outlines how you can scientifically answer questions. Below are some steps to the scientific method:

1. Observe what is happening (what's the problem or question?)

2. Predict what might happen (make a guess as to what might solve the problem)

3. Test predictions under controlled conditions to see if they are correct (experiment to see if your guess was right)

4. Make sense of our observations (was your guess right? If not what can you try differently in your next experiment?)

Remember that science isn't always just about test tubes and lab coats. Science is in everything that we do and the scientific method can be used to determine solutions for any type of problem that we are faced with. As you teach your children this process of analyzing through their school science projects you are doing more than helping him or her to get a good grade in a class. You are teaching and helping your children to learn how to figure out problems and find solutions on their own. Analytical skills are vital principles to learn as they can help your child in the detection of danger and in sensing when something is not right.

Teach your child by example

Of course it is important to teach your child to analyze when they are doing certain science projects, but you can also expand their understanding by making sure that science projects are done as activities in the home and not just required school work. Show your enthusiasm for science and learning and your attitude will rub off on your child. Children learn mostly by example. Do not let scientific principle and learning be a strange concept in your home. Constantly strive to blur the line between school and home by having learning play an intricate part in your children's day.

When you don't know, look to the experts for help. Sometimes children will ask a question that you are not familiar with. Make sure that when this happens that you have resources for information. Teachers, textbooks and internet information searches provide a great deal of resources for continual learning even if you are a parent.

Have reliable sources for ideas.

There are many excellent examples of online resource for school projects. You can find ideas and assistance for science projects in earth, life, and physical science for children in elementary and middle school. You can browse through the many different project options available and either choose to have the more detailed project information sent to you or you can download the information that you need to get started on a project right away.

Just Science Projects is a great source for ideas about science experiments for kids. Whether you're looking to teach a child to learn to analyze from science experiments, science projects, or science fair ideas. To get great, fun projects visit JustScienceProjects.com or call us at 206-498-6502.

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4th Grade Science Fair Projects Are Critical to Your Child

There are more people searching for 4th Grade Science Fair Projects than all other grades put together. There are good reasons for this. Science projects done in the earlier grades are usually done by the teacher or Mom/Dad since their youngster is simply to young to understand science experiments and how to construct them. This all changes with science fair projects for 4th grade.

This is the class level in which the student must think up and complete his or her own science experiment. Also, since 4th grade is the level when nationwide assessments tests begin, the parents pay particular attention to the science project outcome.

When the Parents were Growing Up

If parents recall their first real science fair project, the memory is probably not a particularly good on, unless their parents did the project for them. Science Projects can be unnerving for kids. Parents did not have the luxury of the Internet, nor any great books on the subject. If the library had one or two publications, these were probably already backlisted for months since all the other kids wanted the same material. So, either the science project turned out to be unexciting or the parents stepped in and did the project for junior.

Today, 4th graders still need help, but the Web is a tremendous help in finding and completing a good science fair project. But parents also need to be doing a web search to make sure that the experiment chosen is both safe for the student and also exciting. This first experiment will determine how the student views science and experiments for years to come.

4th Grade Science Fair Projects

Science fair projects need to be tickle the imagination of the student. The project can be relatively simple but the concept needs to challenge the intellect. If parents are doing a search on the web, they need to know that they will probably end up completely annoyed. Many sites will give part of an experiment and make you pay for the rest. Or, some sites will make you subscribe, paid of course, to the site to see the selection of experiments. Many of the sites will simply direct you to unrelated websites.

For these reasons, we really encourage both students and parents to invest in a couple of excellent books on science fair projects. These projects can be used not just this year, but for all future schooling years. This will stop the hurried search at the last minute for science projects on the web. We will say it again - Don't keep searching for science projects on the internet. Buy some good books or e books on the subject so you have the necessary ideas and materials ahead of time.

Author designed and maintains http://www.ScienceFairProjectsStore.com, a website offering books, ideas and free science projects for students and parents trying to complete their 4th grade science fair project.

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Choosing The Right Science Project For Your Child

Choosing the right science project for your child does not have to be a guessing game. There are a few simple ways to evaluate a project to see if the level of difficulty is something that your child can handle. No matter the project the processes of asking a question, collecting data, and coming to a conclusion are the same. The more that your child is able to practice solving problems through using this type of scientific process, the faster they will be able to develop their learning speed. A child who can learn how to thing critically can not only find ways to succeed in science but in all of the other subjects that he or she is studying and will study throughout life.

As you begin choosing the right science project for your child keep the following three components of a good project in mind:

o The question - What are you trying to find out?

o The experiment - How will you go about testing your theories of what the result may be?

o The result - Reporting on how you came to your conclusion.

As you discuss potential science project options with your child make sure that your child is able to answer how he or she will address the above components. If the project is so complex that the child has no idea how he might test his theories, then perhaps a more basic experiment is needed. If a child can come to conclusions on his own of how he can conduct the experiments and carry-out the project, you should have relatively few complications.

Have a timeline

It is important to teach your child to plan ahead and start working on a project early so that you are not rushing to finish anything the night before the project is due. You want to also give yourself enough time to repeat an experiment if something does not go according to plan.

Choose a project with personal application

Kids tend to get more excited about projects that they believe have a personal application rather than projects that have nothing to do with their interest. Explaining everyday occurrences like how the washing machine works or why a light comes on when you flip a switch keep a child thinking constantly as they will learn to see science happening all around them.

Performing the experiment

Generally there are two processes involved with performing an experiment. These processes are investigation and laboratory experimentation. In an investigation you gather data by observing natural occurrences. By observing something you are simply recording what you see happening. When you experiment on something in a 'laboratory' type of a setting, you are altering your object and noting the results. For example, you may want to study the effects that different type of water and additives have on fresh flowers. You may add food coloring to one vase, sugar to another, etc. and record the results of your changes.

Writing a report

Science projects requiring lengthy reports or explanations are best suited for older children or children who have had practice writing papers. Writing a report is often a child's most difficult task when it comes to turning in a science project. Although as a parent you should be able to help your child with the report, if your child is unable to do most of the reporting by himself, perhaps a less complicated project is appropriate.

Get some help Online

Many times it is difficult to find a quality science project that fits the abilities and interest of your child and that will actually work every time it is tried. If you are looking for dependable science project ideas just search online. Many websites offer a wide variety of science project ideas for children of all ages and abilities. Their easy-to-follow instructions can guide your child through every part of the project including the end report and even the displaying of a finished product.

Just Science Projects is a popular science fair projects and elementary and middle school science experiments site. Whether you're looking for great science activities and experiments for kids, science projects, or science fair ideas, Just Science Projects is your source. To get great, fun projects visit our website or call us at 206-498-6502.

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Science Fair Projects Can Be Fun for You and Your Child

Oh no, it's time for the dreaded science fair project. But wait. Science projects are supposed to be fun.

And they can be, if you know the secrets to successful science fair projects, starting with choosing the right project for your child.

Here's 6 steps to help you choose a science fair project that will be fun for you and your child.

First things first. And that first step is to check out the science fair requirements and understand what criteria your child's project must meet.

Next, map out the timeline and important due dates. This will help you avoid the minute crazies and ensure that you don't choose a project that takes longer to do than the time you have to do it in.

Now, let's talk money. How much do you have to spend on this science project? Knowing what your budget is before you choose a project will ensure that you don't break the bank or encourage your child to choose something that really isn't possible financially.

Now that you have the criteria for the project figured out, it's time to get down to the brainstorming.

First, and most importantly, ask your child if they have any ideas. They may have already decided on something themselves, and then your job is a lot easier - you can just start helping them make it happen.

But if they don't have any ideas, then consider their interests. What are they interested in? What do they collect or think about, or talk about, or ask questions about? Your child will enjoy science a lot more if you do a project they are actually interested in.

Next, go online and search for a topic your child is interested in and "science fair project" or "science project", or head to the library and check out one or two of the great science project books you'll find there.

Scout out some ideas that meet your basic criteria of requirements, timeline, and budget, and share them with your child and ask them if any interest them. Or, even better sit down with your son or daughter and look through the choices together and discuss the criteria you are looking for together. You'll be spending some quality time with your child and have the benefit of teaching them how to find the information they need to get started.

Once you and your child pick your project, the next step is to get started - gathering supplies and putting together the project. Enjoy the process. Science is all about discovery - and it is fun!

For more science fair project tips and lessons learned, check out my friend Kayla's article 7 Steps to Successful Science Projects and download her free science project guide on how to successfully navigate the science fair project without losing your sanity.

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Science Fair Projects - 5 Valuable Benefits For Your Child

Science Fair Projects can be really exciting, especially now with all the opportunities the internet gives us. Most kids know how to use a computer for fun and spend, on an average, five hours a week surfing the net. As parents, we would like to encourage them to use some of their computer time for schoolwork and educational projects. And researching scientific ideas and the scientific method are certainly a good use of their time. But in addition, there are many other great reasons for encouraging your children to do science fair projects.

* A science fair project is an activity that integrates almost every skill or art children have been taught. Students must learn how to apply their existing abilities to new areas, as well as learn many new skills. A science fair project can involve reading, logical thinking, writing, grammar and spelling, math, statistics and data analysis, computer science, and graphic arts, as well as scientific methodology. If a student participates in a formal competition, then they will also practice public speaking, and learn how to explain and defend their work in front of a panel of judges.

* Participating in science fair projects help develop a feeling of confidence and competence among students, and fosters a spirit of scientific inquiry. Projects usually involve scientific questions that the student is interested in, and a specific topic they have chosen for themselves. Participants must research their question, learn and apply the scientific method to create a valid experiment, and think about the meaning of their results. Some kids get so immersed in their project that they forget about other factors like prizes or the fact that they are actually learning new skills. Science fairs are also a way for students to demonstrate motivation, self-learning, critical thinking, ethics and other important skills and traits.

* A science fair project is an experience that can be challenging and self-validating. Many students actually do important research and discover previously unknown facts.

* Many science fairs offer cash prizes, which can be a significant incentive for some people. They also help open the doors of academic opportunity for students. Winners at regional fairs receive recognition for their work, and gain the right to participate at state-level and higher-level competitions.

* Some of those kids (maybe yours someday) qualify for the international competition at the annual Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Here the level of cash prizes is significant. In addition, those whose projects qualify for international competitions are judged by the best in the world: top scientists and people from industry. Imagine your child having his or her project judged by a Nobel Laureate. These kinds of things do immeasurable good for the confidence of the student and certainly encourage them further in all of their activities.

These are just of few of the many different benefits of science fair projects. Even if you, as a parent, secretly dread the idea, your help and encouragement with this endeavor will provide life-long advantages for your children.

Robert Burke has a Master of Science degree in Engineering, and many years of experience in science education, industry and writing. Learn how to create award-winning science fair projects at Science Made Simple - http://www.sciencemadesimple.com

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Get Your Child Ready For The Science Fair - Do Regular Science Projects

Every parent is anxious to make sure that their child is able to get ahead in life. Parents want what is best for their children and most parents believe that a good education is what will prepare their child for the future. A good education starts at a very young age. Children are able to retain a great deal of information and can ask some of the most inquisitive types of questions. You can foster and encourage your child to continue learning outside of school and really seek to find answers to questions inside school. Doing regular science projects is a proven way to acclimate your child to the learning process. If you can get your child used to thinking analytically and scientifically, when the science fair rolls around just imagine how much more prepared and excited your little one will be. After all, science should be fun and even magical. Keep in mind science involves more than just chemistry and physics, it also includes reading, math, English, history, and more! Make sure that you are doing all that you can to prepare your kids not only for the next science fair, but also for the next chapters in their life.

Encourage the answering and asking of questions.

Doing regular science projects encourages children to get into the habit of looking inquisitively at the world around them. Children learn through asking questions. As parents you have a great responsibility not only to pay close attention to the questions that your children ask, but also to strive to help them find the answers that they are looking for.

The benefits of doing science projects at home with your kids.

Doing science projects at home with your kids has many benefits, some of which are more obvious than others. Of course, by doing science projects at home with your kids, your kids will develop a greater understanding of the scientific process and what is involved in creating an experiment. But doing projects at home can strengthen family relationships and provide a child with a safe environment away from the potential dangers outside of the home.

Finding science in everything you do.

Children have an easier time understanding principles if they can find a personal application. By doing regular science projects as a result of questions that children ask about the world around them is an excellent way to teach that science actually applies to how we all live our lives. From discovering how the toaster words to wondering how all the stars stay in the sky, there are limitless possibilities of how you can use the ordinary to teach something extraordinary.

Many parents are excited about teaching their children scientific concepts at home but feel like they lack the creativity and know how. Do not be discouraged. Many organizations have online offers for dozens of science project ideas as well as step-by-step instructions. The science projects that you will find have been developed by educators. You can choose the age and difficulty level that is right for your child as you browse though brief descriptions of the projects online. There science project ideas are designed to allow you and your child to produce a complete quality project in a fun and worry free way.

Just Science Projects is a great source for ideas about science activities and experiments for kids . Whether you're looking to teach a child to learn to analyze from science experiments , science projects, or science fair ideas make it great fun. Visit JustScienceProjects.com or call us at 206-498-6502.

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Science Fair Projects: How to Choose a Science Project for Your Child

Science is supposed to be fun, not dreaded. Science projects, and specifically, science fair projects can be fun, if you choose the right project for your child.

So how do you choose the right science project?

1. Check the science fair requirements and understand what criteria a "winning" project must meet. It's no fun for you or your child, if you do all the work and get disqualified or marked down because the science project you chose didn't meet the requirements.

2. Know what your timeline is. If the science fair is tomorrow, a project that requires a week to incubate isn't going to work.

3. Figure out how much you have to spend. Science projects don't have to break your budget. But you do want to make sure you can afford or get access to all the materials the project will need. It's no fun to get all jazzed about an idea, only to have to say no because you can't afford it.

4. Ask your child if they have any ideas they'd like to try or were thinking about. Most of our science project ideas have come directly from the kids themselves; and typically they are things I would never have thought of.

5. If your child doesn't have an ideas, think about their interests. If your child is into rocks, do a geology project. If your child is into mixing things together, look at chemistry projects. If your child is into insects... well you get the idea. You and your child will enjoy the process so much more if it's something that is interesting.

6. If you are having a hard time figuring out a topic to start with, search for 'science fair projects" online or head over the library.

Generally the science project books are located by the general science topic. So for geology projects look under the "geology" or "earth science" section. Same with any other science topic. You'll be amazed at the selection of projecs available.

From there, just ask your child to pick out a project that catches their interest, provided it fits within the science fair requirements, your timeline, and your budget.

Enjoy the journey with your child and don't worry about perfection. Science is about experimentation and is a lot of fun!

For more science fair project tips, check out my friend Kayla's article 7 Steps to Successful Science Projects and download her free science project guide for more great tips.

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Creative Ways To Get Your Child Interested In Science

Not all kids like all subjects, but it seems that science is the hardest for ordinary kids to get interested in. This could be because that a lot of parents themselves are not interested in science and kids seem to pick up on that. Teachers try everything that they can think of to make their subjects interesting and most of the time it works. Teachers who have passion for their subject are a lot more effective in getting kids interested in a subject than teachers who just sit and lecture a student.

As a parent you might be wondering how you can get your child interested in science. The first step is to become active and interested in what your child is doing. This is probably the most important thing you can do to get your child interested in anything. By showing your child that you are interested in what they are doing makes you child feel like they are doing something worthwhile. Because they are feeling important they will approach science with a new zest for learning.

Here are a few tips to help get your child interested in science.

Tip one:

Do not wait for school to start before trying to teach your child about science. Start teaching them stuff at a young age. The great thing about science is that you can gear it towards any age. For example when you are taking a walk in the spring you can talk with your child about why flowers are starting to grow this time of year.

Tip two:

Take advantage of your child's natural curiosity. Kids love to ask questions, they always want to know how something works, why something does that, how something is made, and anything else that they can think to ask. Rather than telling them the answers simply ask questions of your own. Ask them what they think the answer is and how they came up with that answer.

Tip three:

Do hands-on projects with them to help them learn how to think critically and figure out how things work. For example you can bake cookies with children and teach them about how mixing the ingredients together turn the separate ingredients into something else entirely. You can also teach them about temperatures when the cookies are in the oven. No matter the age you can find some type of hands-on thing to do to relate to science. The key is to engage in conversation with your child and have them think things through.

Tip four:

Help your child get involved in more science related activities at school. Encourage them to participate in the Science Fair and help them with their project. Or if they are involved in Scouts take advantage of their Scouting projects and turn them into a fun science lesson. Your children do not realize just how much science actually affects our every day lives.

Tip five:

Encourage your child to investigate and experiment. The main part of science is investigating what you think and trying to see if it will work. For example if your child wants to play in the snow and build a snowman/snow chair let them try it out. Give them the tools they can use or ask them what they might need and provide it for them. If their idea does not work you can suggest the build the platform first and then put a snowman's head on the back of the platform. But let them try their ideas without discouraging them.

Science does not have to be boring; by taking the time to answer your child's question or by having them answer their own question you are teaching them about science. Buying them that butterfly habitat is also teaching them about science. And the best news is it is all fun and interesting for them.

Just Science Projects is a leading website featuring science projects for kids. Just Science Projects specializes in helping parents, kids and educators find interesting and fun science projects that will help kids gain valuable science learning and experience. Visit us for more information on Just Science Projects and how you can get dozens of cool science projects and experiments, or call 206-498-6502.

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Earth Science ... Get Your Child More Involved In the World Around Them

Science is a fascinating subject for any age because of how applicable the concepts are to our everyday life. There are several different categories associated with science including, earth science, life science, and physical science. We will be speaking specifically about earth science for now. Earth science deals with the many different processes that take place on our planet. Earth science is inescapable and ever-present (which is part of its appeal in many cases). Below are some examples of specialties that deal with earth science. You will find brief definitions as well as some of the sub-disciplines that are part of that area of study.

Geology - Geology describes the land or rocky parts of the Earth's crust and its development over time. Major sub-disciplines include: mineralogy and petrology, geochemistry, geomorphology, paleontology, stratigraphy, engineering geology and sedimentology.

Geodesy and Geophysics - these disciplines investigate the figure of the Earth. More specifically this means the study of the earth's reaction to forces and its potential fields that involve both magnetism and gravity. Geophysicists explore the science deep inside the Earth's core and mantle.

Soil science - Soil is considered the outermost layer of the Earth's crust. A soil scientist investigates the formation processes of the soil. Major sub-disciplines include: edaphology and pedology.

Oceanography and Hydrology - Geology describes the land and oceanography describes the ocean. This includes all marine and freshwater parts of the Earth. Major sub-disciplines include: hydrogeology and physical, chemical, and biological oceanography.

Glaciology - If you know what a glacier is you can probably guess what a Glaciologist would study (here's a hint: the icy parts of the Earth).

Atmospheric sciences - Earth is more than just land and sea, it is the parts that we don't see as well. Atmospheric sciences cover investigation of the gaseous parts (a.k.a. the atmosphere) of the Earth. Major sub-disciplines are Meteorology, Climatology and Agronomy.

So you see that there is no where you can go on earth to escape science. It is in the ground that we walk on, in the water we swim in, and in the air that we breathe. Who wouldn't want to know more about earth sciences?!

Earth sciences are not only interesting but they can be beautiful too. You can get your child more involved in earth sciences by showing him the beauty of nature. Whether your child's interests lie with finding shinny rocks or mountain biking, there are ways to apply science to the things that they love to do outdoors.

Just Science Projects is a great source for ideas about science activities and experiments for kids. Whether you're looking to teach a child to learn to analyze from science experiments, science projects, or science fair ideas make it great fun. Visit JustScienceProjects.com or call us at 206-498-6502.

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4 Great Reasons Science Projects Make Your Child Smarter

There are many educational things you can do with your child to make them smarter. You can make them read books, or make them study more, or you can have them do a science project. You might be thinking that there is no way your child would do a science project. Doing science projects can be fun and educational all at the same time. Here are 4 great reasons science projects make your child smarter.

The first great reason science projects make your child smarter is it helps them to get hands on experience with what they have to learn about. Having hands on experience for a lot of children will help them grasp the concept and actually understand what they are learning about. Science projects make your child smarter because they will be able to retain the information they are learning from the science project easier.

The second great reason science projects make your child smarter is because it helps them understand how things work. For instance something like how a light bulb turns on. Not everyone knows what the process is to make a light bulb work. By doing a science project on it your child will be able to understand the concept behind it and what has to take place before a light bulb can turn on. This will make your child smarter because it will make them think more in depth about the simplest things they do when doing it.

The third great reason science projects make your child smarter is because your child won't mind learning. When there is fun involved in learning it makes a child more willing to learn. Science projects can be fun filled you just need to make sure to go about it the right way. Interact with your child and ask questions and have discussions. All of these things will make your child smarter from doing science projects.

The fourth great reason sciences projects make your child smarter are because they make your child think on a different level. Instead of just having your child think inside the box it helps them to think outside the box. Instead of just helping your child to know the facts and expect them to remember it. Science projects will help your child to be smarter because it will help them want to figure out new ways of doing things instead of just one way. For instance you can create energy to make electrical things work with out using wire. You can use water. There are many things like this that have more than one way they can be run. Through science projects your child can figure these things out.

Just Science Projects is a well-known source for science projects and science experiments for kids. Just Science Projects features dozens of fun experiments and projects that teach science principles while showing them that science is fun! To get science projects and science fair ideas for your kids , visit us or call us at 206-498-6502.

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San Diego Schools Embrace the No Child Left Behind Program

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program is a federal law that governs elementary and secondary education and is funded by Federal Title I. Under the NCLB, school boards must ensure that their high poverty schools meet the educational needs of low-achieving students. The goal is to close the achievement gap between the high and low-performing students.

San Diego Schools are committed to delivering strong standards-based education with programs that are designed to improve student achievement in the gateway skills of reading, writing and mathematics. Along with this commitment, they have embraced the NCLB program, which benefits the San Diego schools and its students as follows:

o San Diego schools must provide greater accountability for results, which means an even better school district with higher scholastic achievement from its students;

o The district gains greater flexibility for spending federal money, allowing them to decide where the money best serves to improve student achievement;

o Parents have more options over their children, allowing them to choose a non-participating school over a NCLB school; and

o San Diego schools gain an increased emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work.

Of the 202 San Diego schools, 138 are eligible for the NCLB program. Schools are selected for the program if they have not made adequate annual progress for two or more consecutive years and serve students from high-poverty backgrounds. Annual state-required student achievement targets measure the progress of each of the 138 San Diego schools. There are currently 37 schools participating in the NCLB five-year program and designated as Program Improvement schools.

The following seven schools are in their first year of the program -- Clairemont High, Creative, Performing and Media Arts Middle; Knox; Pershing Middle; Rosa Parks Elementary; Wangenheim Middle; and Washington.

In their second year are ALBA, Bayview Terrace, Correia Middle, Dana (5-6), Emerson/Bandini, Encanto, Garfield High, Logan, Madison, Montgomery Middle, Muir (K-12), and Twain.

The third-year San Diego schools are Garfield, Marston Middle, and Pacific Beach Middle.

Baker, Bell Middle, Clark Middle, Farb Middle, Hoover High, Kroc Middle, Morse High, O'Farrell Charter, Roosevelt Middle, Taft Middle, and Tubman Village Charter are in their fourth year.

Four San Diego schools are in their fifth year. They are Balboa, Gompers Secondary, Memorial Charter, and Wilson Middle.

Those schools highlighted above met their adequate yearly progress targets in 2005, showing remarkable improvement in student achievement.

During all years of the program, parents may choose to send their children to a designated non-participating school and receive transportation at San Diego schools expense.

During years two through five, free tutoring is provided to eligible students after school, based on academic need. Parents select from a state-approved list of service providers.

In year three of the program, the district will intervene, making additional options and services available.

The district develops plans for restructuring the San Diego schools that are in year four of the program. The plans include major reorganizations and fundamental reforms that affect the staffing and administration of the schools.

Any school still in the program in year five is restructured, according to the plan developed for the school in year four.

San Diego schools provide parents of children attending Program Improvement schools with information on a variety of education-related issues. Additionally, parents may request information on the professional qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals associated with their children.

Parents are asked to partner in their children's education by participating in school events, volunteering on school administrative committees, volunteering in the classroom, and providing home support to further enable their children to learn.

San Diego schools serve nearly 136,000 students. The district is the second largest in California. They are committed to improving student achievement through modernized facilities and resources, enhanced classroom learning through challenging and proven teaching methods, and involving the community in the educational process. The NCLB is just one of the many programs instituted by the San Diego schools to serve and benefit the students educational needs.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Patricia has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues. For more information visit San Diego School Rankings and Public School Rankings

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5 Tips to Finding the Right School for Your Child

If you are like me you probably lost sleep over what school to enroll your child in. This is especially the case with people who move to new school districts or moving people moving their pre-schooler to kindergarten.

Choosing the right school is one of the most critical decisions in your child's development. As hard as it is to admit, your child will spend more time at school with teachers and classmates then at home.

After making my way through the school search I would like to share my hard-earned tips to making your search easier.

First you will need to decide Public or Private School

Some districts have highly rated public schools and others do not. Private schooling does not necessarily mean religious based school. There are of course plenty of religious based schools but there are also non-sequitarian private schools to choose from.

There are many things to consider when deciding "public or private":

1 - Consider both Public and Private School Options

Public School Option

The state education system is always under fire. That doesn't mean all public schools are bad. Do some simple research and see what you think about the school(s) in your area.

- What is the local public school like?

Tour the public school during school hours. This can be arranged with the admissions office. Look at the children who attend. Are these the friends you would like for your child? Peek in the class room(s), if allowed. Does it seem organized? Meet the teacher who would be teaching your child. Ask about schedule for school and class room size.

You can find out the statistics for your local public school at http://www.publicschoolreview.com This site will give you information on the school's performance for statewide testing, student to teacher ratio compared to state average, ethnicity of students attending, etc. It will give you great information on the school.

Private School Option

Your can find out what private schools are in your area by visiting http://www.privateschoolreview.com/ This site will give you detailed information on number of students who attend, class size, student to teach ratio, etc.

When choosing a private school a couple things to consider are:

- Does the schools religious or ethics and moral instruction fall in line with how you want your child to be raised.

- Is it within reasonable commuting distance from your home

- Can you afford it?

Although this is definitely not the most important point, it must be evaluated. Private schooling is not cheap. Prices normally range from $3500-$8000 per child per year. Most schools offer payment options generally structured to include an enrollment fee and then 6-12 month payment plans. Some private schools offer scholarships based on the child's academic performance and/or the parent's income. If you decide to enroll your child in a private school long term affordability is important. You do not want to have your child transferred due to lack of tuition payment.

2 - Do Your Homework on the School(s)

Before deciding on a school you should do the following:

- Call the school and ask for a brochure or packet on the school

- Tour the school(s) you are considering

- Meet the teacher(s) that will be teaching your child

- If possible, view a class while in session

- Ask questions, any and all questions you may have

- Find out about class size

- Know about the school schedule. Does it work with your life schedule?

Once you have narrowed the search down to one or two schools have your spouse (if applicable) and child tour the school(s). Often you can schedule a tour with the school or attend an open house or parent meeting night.

Talk to your child and spouse about the school:

1 - Do you like the school? Do you feel comfortable there?

2 - Does your child like the school and feel comfortable there?

3 - Was the curriculum up to your standards?

4 - What was the education level of the students in the class?

5 - Was it clean?

3 - ENROLL

Once you have made your decision enroll your child. This is particularly important with private school. Space is limited and will fill up. Kindergarten classes are notorious for this. You can enroll your child as early as a year ahead of time to ensure they get in to the school of our choice.

4 - Waiting Lists for Private Schools

Waiting lists exist at private schools that are full, meaning the class you are trying to enroll your child in has reach maximum enrollment. You can put your child's name on a waiting list. They will call you if a space becomes available. Make sure to ask what number you are on the waiting list. You may have a chance is you are #1-5, but even then it is only a chance. Do not rely on this waiting list. Find an alternative school and if they call in the meantime, GREAT!

5 - Talk with Your Child

Once school has started talk to your child. Ask him how school is going? Do you like the teachers? Have you made friends? Your child's responses will give you an indication of how the school is working out. Also, watch your child's behavior. Sometimes a child's behavior changes mildly after being introduced into a new group of children and environment. This is nothing that a good home life and parenting can't handle quickly though. The only cause for concern is drastic negative behavior changes. If this is the case you may want to talk to your child more seriously about what has been going on at school and have a consultation with the teacher. Normally children are good with change and adapt easily.

I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist. I am a child care giver, a child counselor, a mentor, child advisor and an expert on my child, which is simply means I am a MOM! I hope this information will help you find the right school for your child. I didn't know where to start and since I write articles for work I thought it would be great to share what I have learned through this process in the hopes of helping the fellow parents in their quest for the right school for their child.

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Homeschooling Takes Your Child Out of Public School --- A Unique Benefit

Home-schooling removes children from public school. That alone makes home-schooling worthwhile. Unlike public-school children, home-schooled kids are not prisoners of a system that can wreck their self-esteem, ability to read, and love of learning.

Home-schooled kids don't have to read dumb-downed text-books, study subjects they hate, or endure meaningless classes six to eight hours a day. Home-schooled kids won't be subject to drugs, bullies, violence, or peer pressure, as they are in public schools. Home-schooled children who are "different" in any way won't have to endure cruel jokes and taunts from other children in their classes.

Slow-learning or "special-needs" children won't be humiliated by their peers if they are put in regular classes, or further humiliated if the teacher puts them in so-called spe-cial-education classes. Faster-learning home-schooled kids won't have to sit through mind-numbing classes that are geared to the slowest-learning students in a class. They won't have to "learn" in cooperative groups where other kids in the group do nothing or are not cooperative. Home-schooled children do not have to waste their time memorizing meaningless facts about subjects that bore them, just so they can pass the next dumbed-down test to obey and please school authorities.

Home-schooled kids don't have to endure twelve years of a third-rate, public-school education that leaves many students barely able to read their own diplomas. The notion that tests tell teachers and parents what children have learned turns out to false. John Holt, teacher and author of "How Children Fail," pointed out that most children soon forget what they memorized for a test as soon as the test is over, so the entire test-taking process is usually worthless. Facts or ideas that are not useful or relevant to children pass through them like a sieve and are soon forgotten.

Home-schooled kids don't have to study an arbitrary, meaningless curriculum of subjects imposed on them by public-school authorities. They don't have to be treated like little mindless, spiritless robots that have to learn the same subjects at the same time and in the same sequence as their classmates.

Home-schooled children don't have to sit quietly in a class of twenty-five other students and pretend they like being in this mini-prison called public school, just to avoid being punished by a teacher for "acting-out" or fidgeting in their seats.

Any adult's mind would wander if they were forced to sit through a boring lecture for just one hour. Yet public schools expect children to sit still for boring lectures on subjects that are meaningless to them, for six to eight hours a day.

Home-schooled children do not have to be fearful of displeasing a teacher because they get the wrong answers on meaningless tests. They therefore do not have to be fearful of learning and have their natural joy in learning crippled as a result of this fear.

Infants and very young children embrace life and learning with a passion, which is why they learn so fast. Yet, as John Holt found out, by the time these same children have progressed to the fifth grade in school, most are listless, bored, apathetic, and often fearful in class.

Home-schooled children won't be terrorized by test grades and comparisons to their classmates, and associate learning with this terror. They won't associate learning with always having to get the right answer that school authorities insist on. They won't be made to feel that learning means passing an arbitrary test, and that failing a test is a shame or disgrace.

Home-schooling also gives parents control over the values their kids learn. It prevents school authorities from indoctrinating their children with warped values, pagan religions, or politically-correct ideas.

Unlike public-school students, home-schooled children are not forced to sit through explicit or shocking sex-education classes. School authorities also can't pressure home-schooling parents to give their kids mind-altering drugs like Ritalin.

So keeping a child out of public school is an enormous benefit in itself. Other positive benefits of home-schooling are:

1. Home-schooling lets parents give children a custom-made curriculum that makes learning a joy. Parents can expose their children to many different subjects and ultimately focus on subjects that their children enjoy and benefit from.

Children can also learn about subjects that are not taught in any school, and have time for non-academic subjects like art and music. Parents can choose from a wide range of teaching materials that not only engage and delight their kids, but bring real results.

2. Home-schooled children can learn at their own pace. Slower-learning kids will benefit by their parent's love and attention. Bright children will progress as fast as they want to. Children will learn to read or learn any other subject when they are ready, not according to a prescribed time-table.

Unlike public schools, home-schooling parents treat each child as a unique individual with his or her own special interests, talents, strengths and weaknesses. Parents can also tailor-make the instruction to each child's personality and learning style.

3. Home-schooling parents can give their kids a one-to-one teacher-student ratio. This insures that children get individualized attention from a loving, attentive parent-teacher.

In "Public Schools, Public Menace," author Joel Turtel explains 15 unique benefits of homeschooling your children.

Joel Turtel is an education policy analyst, and author of ?Public Schools, Public Menace: How Public Schools Lie To Parents and Betray Our Children."

Contact Information:
Website: http://www.mykidsdeservebetter.com,
Email: lbooksusa@aol.com,
Phone: 718-447-7348.

Article Copyrighted © 2005 by Joel Turtel
NOTE: You may post this Article on another website only if you set up a hyperlink to Joel Turtel?s email address and website URL, http://www.mykidsdeservebetter.com

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Choosing a Primary School for Your Child

Where do our children spend six hours a day, five days a week and 35 weeks a year between the ages of three or four and eleven - that's about 8000 hours? At their primary school!

What happens in this school matters. The adults they meet play a significant role in their lives. If our children are in the wrong school, there is unhappiness, poor achievement, worry and even bad feeling. We blame the school, ourselves or our children. They are unhappy - not just in the school but also in the evening worrying about tomorrow and feeling wretched on the journey to school. This is not the recipe for the best learning and growing into a confident, healthy person. We waste precious time visiting the school in unhappy circumstances instead of feeling proud and pleased.

With a bit of care you can set the scene to avoid this and help to give your child a good school career.

Plan of action

Think: what do you want for your child? The more detailed you can be the better. Consider your own values. Yes you want the best - but what does that mean? There are three key areas you might consider:

1. you want your child to be happy

2. you want a good education for your child

3. you want to be able to trust the school

Happiness

Happy children learn quickly and grow confidently. They are happier to participate and get the most out of the educational and social opportunities in a school. Children are happy if they feel purposeful and appreciated; praised for their successes; encouraged through their mistakes; and treated fairly along with their school-mates.

Visit the school and watch the children. Do they look busy, interested and happy? Is there an air of purposefulness? Watch them at playtime. Are children playing happily together in groups? Watch the oldest children - the ones who have been in the school the longest. How well behaved are they? How many isolated children can you see? Is there a sufficient number of adults supervising and are they engaged in conversation or activities with the children? You know your child. Consider how your child will fit into this.

Education

Check the school's test and assessment results. Are they average or better than average? Are the results improving over time?

The subjects that are tested or assessed at the age of seven are reading, writing and maths; English, maths and science at age eleven. These are vital to success in schools - but does the school promote good learning in the other subjects? Is your child going to be able to enjoy physical activity through organised games, dance and gymnastics? How important does the school consider creative activities such as art and music? Will your child learn about the world and what happened in the past? What about a foreign language?

Will your child be taught effectively and treated fairly? How well does the school support those pupils with special educational, physical or emotional needs? Do pupils have the chance to achieve to their fullest ability?

Read the most recent inspection report. It will tell you about standards and whether the pupils make good progress. Read the most recent governors' report which should include test results as well as tell you something about the school's broader activities and recent improvements. Read the prospectus. What does it tell you about its character and values?

Trust

How can you recognise a good school that you can trust? Visit the school; be friendly and open. Many teachers can be very sensitive so do your probing in a non-confrontational way otherwise you'll learn nothing.

Do you feel welcomed by the secretary and the headteacher? Has the school made an effort to look bright and cheerful? Are there attractive displays showing off the pupils' work?

As they show you round the school, ask if you can look in the toilets. You can often see how much the school values its children by the quality and cleanliness of the toilets.

What do the classrooms look like? How do they feel? Is there a nice working buzz? How do the teachers talk to the pupils? Are there after school activities?

Does the school have a clear policy on responding with parental complaints? Is the school a safe place for children to be in? What does the school do about bullying?

Are children given responsibilities around the school? The best schools get pupils involved thoroughly. Some have a "school council". Others have different ways of knowing how the children are feeling.

Talk to as many other parents as possible - especially those whose children have been there a long time. Ten minutes before the end of school is a good time. How do they feel about the school? What are its strengths and weaknesses?

Don't forget practical issues

Is the distance from home convenient? What will the daily journey to and from school be like? Will it create difficult strains in the family?

Make sure you have all the information you need from the local authority so you can make your application to the school before the deadline - otherwise you may be disappointed. The school you have your eye on may be over-subscribed.

Taking this care will give your child the best opportunities. It will then be up to him to make the most of them ... with your continuing encouragement and support. But that is another story.

If you want to know more about this subject, contact Clive who has worked with children in primary schools for over 30 years as teacher, headteacher, coach and mentor. He now applies his knowledge, skills and understanding to helping others fulfil their dreams. You can find out more at: [http://www.clivegrahamcoaching.com] If you want to share your thoughts or ask any questions, he would be very happy to hear from you. Contact him: info@clivegrahamcoaching.com

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