Key Points
- By eighth grade, almost 50 percent of students have lost interest in science or don’t believe it will be relevant to their education or future plans.
- To promote science to kids, give them problems to develop solutions for.
- Encourage critical thinking by discussing why their prototypes work.
Developing Problem-Solving Skills
Want to really promote science to kids so they keep that interest? Give them problems to develop solutions for. For instance, some people still like to read physical books. Sometimes, you don’t want to hold the book while reading it. You want to rest it on something. Ask kids to come up with simple ways for a book to be held up hands-free. Provide materials, like cardboard, paper, popsicle sticks, glue, etc. If they need other equipment, do your best to provide that, too. Have them create their inventions and test them out. If they don’t work, ask them to figure out why they don’t work so they can make adjustments.
The Importance of Iteration
Here’s the kicker: if they aren’t able to create a working prototype in the allotted time, don’t see that as a failure. See it as an opportunity to discuss what they’d do differently if they had more time. In the real world, most innovations take years to come to fruition. The learning after each iteration is as important as the final product. Even after there is a final working prototype, there are often subsequent new editions of the innovation.
The Role of Science
Where does the science come in, though? The science comes in by discussing why their prototype works. With the example of the book holder, questions to discuss could be:
- What materials work best to keep the book from slipping? This question introduces friction and material properties into the discussion.
- How does the weight of the book affect the effectiveness of the book holder? This question involves the concepts of force, balance, and structural integrity.
- How does each material used to create the book holder contribute to the book holder working? This explores mechanical properties, touching on how materials differ in strength, flexibility, and durability.
Using Generative AI
You can use generative AI to develop the discussion questions, too. Now they’re not just thinking about the fact that they’re creating something. They’re also thinking about why it works.
Conclusion
Make science interesting to kids by applying it to everyday problems, then give them the tools to solve these problems and help them think critically about why their solutions work. Ultimately, these kids will become the innovators of tomorrow.
FAQs
Q: Why is it important to give kids problems to solve?
A: Giving kids problems to solve helps them develop critical thinking skills and encourages them to think creatively.
Q: How can I use generative AI to develop discussion questions?
A: You can use generative AI to develop discussion questions by providing it with prompts and having it generate questions related to the topic.
Q: Why is iteration important in the scientific process?
A: Iteration is important in the scientific process because it allows for refinement and improvement of ideas and prototypes. It also helps to develop critical thinking skills and encourages kids to think creatively.
