New York,
NY (June
3,
2003) --
The great outdoors is the ideal laboratory for young scientists to explore the world around them, and the summer months offer children more free time to do so. For parents who want to keep learning at the top of their child's summer “to do” list, the editors of Scholastic's
SuperScience magazine, a leading classroom publication for 3rd-6th grade students, have put together a wonderful line-up of educational science activities and “backyard” experiments kids can do in or outdoors.
Following are tips for parents from Scholastic's
SuperScience to encourage summer science fun:
- Take A Hike: A family field trip or tour of local or national parks brings nature up close. Kids love learning how to read maps, use a compass and discover trail markers along a walk in the woods. Take pictures with a disposable camera to preserve new discoveries that can be turned into a child's personal photo journal.
- The Sky's The Limit: Discovering astronomy is magical for kids and the stars during summer reveal some of the most dramatic constellations. Take children on an evening star watch and try to locate the Big Dipper or Milky Way. Set your child's sights on whatever interests them about stars or planets and help them learn more by researching on the Internet, taking out books from the local library or visiting a museum or planetarium.
- Chart Your Own Course: Whether summer vacation is at home or on the road, kids are fascinated by the intricate details of maps. Now they can help can learn to read maps and chart their own course about town. Road maps are available at most gas stations.
- Cool Tools/Fun Activities: Help your child make scientific discoveries like an expert with the right tools: a magnifying glass, microscope, a telescope — for star gazing — plastic bags or jars for collecting things, a compass and scale.
- Check out the SuperScience web site, www.scholastic.com/superscience for fun summer science activities including how to make a grapefruit Bug “Magnet” — to attract insects; a Solar Energy Cooker — to test the sun's rays using yummy chocolate and graham crackers and a Gourmet Outdoor Bird Feeder — made from peanut butter and birdseed. Remind children to be gentle when observing living things and to always return the specimens to the location where they were found.
- Read For Fun: Summer is a great time for kids to immerse themselves in leisure reading. Start a home library of science-related books, such as The Magic School Bus®: On The Ocean Floor and the National Audubon Society First Field Guide series as well as science-inspired videos and music.
HOT! HOT! HOT! SUMMER SCIENCE WITH HARRY POTTER —
“Who's” At Hogwarts? The next Harry Potter book is due on store shelves this June and you can be sure your child will be talking all about Hedwig, Harry's magnificent Snowy Owl. Get up to speed on your owl know-how at
http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/toc_page.html#. Scroll down and click on "Owls and The Harry Potter Collection.”
Scholastic is the world's largest publisher of educational magazines with 34 publications for grades PreK-12, reaching over 25 million students and teachers across the country. Teachers rely on these publications to enhance instruction in such subjects as science, reading and language arts, math, social studies, current events, history, geography, world languages, and art. ScholasticNews.com, the magazines' online companion gives teachers, students and parents an additional resource with which to learn about and discuss current events in the classroom and at home.