[tweetmeme]Where does science happen?
We use language arts every day, reading everything from road signs to gossip magazines to newspapers. We use mathematics at the grocery market, or when we figure out the tip at a restaurant, or worry about gas mileage on a road trip. We see social studies in action every time we look out at a crowd of people, or wander through a museum.
But science? For many students, science only exists in the classroom, during tedious labs or teacher-controlled experiments.
There is a new message for students: Science is everywhere!
As your students prepare to leave the classroom for two glorious months of summer vacation, help them get ready to experience the world around them with new scientific eyes.
Using these resources from Curriki, open students’ minds to science outside the classroom!
For young learners
Learn About Water Towers: Curriki contributor Warren Buckleitner was asked one day, “I have always been interested in water towers and have always wondered, do those big ball-like tops really hold water or not?” So he decided to dig up some Internet sites to tell us more about these roadside wonders. This investigation is a great opportunity for young students to learn about science at work in their community.
Unit on Plants: Parents will be very pleased that their youngster has learned about plants before getting to work in the garden this summer. In addition, the students can conduct an experiment in which they collect, observe and log plant data in their science journal notebooks. Send little gardeners home for summer vacation, and see what they have to report in the fall!
For Big Kids
Bridges: Chances are, if you are driving to the beach this summer, or going on a camping trip, or going fishing, or even biking to the nearest pool, you will cross a bridge. Through these videos and computer resources, students can gain a basic understanding of how bridges work, and begin designing and building their own!
A Matter of Chocolate: What would summer be without ‘smores? Those delicious campfire treats of toasted marshmallows, crisp graham crackers and melting chocolate can make your mouth water just writing about them! Prepare your students for a chocolate-y summer with this unit on the history and chemistry of chocolate
High School and Beyond
Ergonomic Chair Design: Whether lounging by the pool, barbeque, or campfire, your students will spend at least part of their summer sitting down. What if they could sit in a chair that they designed? This open-ended design lesson will give them that opportunity! Students work in small groups and must research and develop a new chair design.
Looking for even more science lessons, activities, and units? Check out the Focus on: Science section of Curriki.
Do you have a great science lesson that opens students’ eyes to science in our world? Share it with a global audience: apply to Curriki’s Summer of Content program today!
Have a great summer, and remember: Science is out there!
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Photo by: Pink Sherbet via Flickr Creative Commons
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