Whether you are a teacher or a parent, getting boys and girls interested in the sciences is something which is not always easy. In fact studies by the federal government have shown that this is one subject where there is a far less interest than ever before, and they are taking steps to remedy that. As a parent I have worked hard on encouraging my kids to engage more with science, be it though a quiz about food sources based on the main menu of a restaurant to trying to teach them the biology behind a goldfish which they looked after. the best place that I have found to teach them new things and spark their passion for sciences however, has been online, and here are some great sites which you should be using to motivate you kids to love science.
Jay Eitner Blog
Jay Eitner is a real inspiration to me in terms of education, he was schooled in New Jersey like me and then went on to play a key role in the improvement of education in the state. Jay Eitner Linkedin profile may talk about the fact that he is superintendent of Waterford Township School District, but it skips over the part about who inspiring his teaching methods are. On his very own blog you can find a great amount of resources to help encourage your kids to get more into the sciences.
YouTube
As long as you carefully supervise it, your kids can get a greta amount of value from the video sharing website Youtube. The site features thousands of videos about science which are aimed at all age groups. What I love most about using these videos is that some of them are ‘wow’ videos featuring explosions and chemical reactions, or fascinating videos about the animal kingdom, whereas there are others which delve deeper into the theory behind the science. You will need to watch your kids when they are on YouTube, as there can be the temptation to look at other, unrelated videos. When managed well however, this is a great resource which can inspire your kids.
NOVA
Of all the educational websites which I have found that relate to science, NOVA seems to be the best, and the kids absolutely love it. The website is filled with educational resources from literature to videos and it approaches things at a classroom level. Arguably the best part of this website, and the aspect which keeps the kids involved and interested, is the existing and fun delivery of the information. Using a wide range of fancy graphics, images and videos to support the information, it helps all types of children, regardless of their learning style. The website has information about all of the sciences and offers support for all age groups.
If you are looking to further inspire your kids’ scientific education, make use of these wonderful online tools.
