| Elementary Science Projects are often the first | | | | mistake of being too broad and asking your child, "Do |
| introduction that a parent has to the wonderful world | | | | you want to do a project about electricity?" Find some |
| of school projects. The first science project is the | | | | specific projects that follow guidelines of your science |
| perfect time for a kid to be amazed at the way things | | | | teacher or science fair. Then, describe the project in |
| work in the world around us. Learning about stuff like | | | | exciting terms. "Here's a cool project about how yeast |
| friction, static electricity and fire is fascinating and fun. | | | | has enough gas - yes, that kind - to can blow up a |
| Often, however, the process of deciding on a topic, | | | | balloon!" or "You take the shell off an egg in this |
| finding a project, and getting it to work leads to | | | | project and then bounce the egg on the floor!" |
| frustration for parents and students. Somewhere | | | | While looking for an experiment, keep in mind that |
| between the fun and the fair, the fun often evaporates | | | | many teachers require that a science project follow |
| with that first science project. It shouldn't be that way! | | | | the scientific method, even when doing an elementary |
| A science project should be a wonderful time of | | | | school science project. That means your child has to |
| discovery and learning for a parent and child. | | | | come up with a question, do research, state an |
| But what if you're like most parents, and are not a | | | | hypothesis, list independent and dependent variables, |
| rocket scientist? How can you choose and help your | | | | test the hypothesis, chart results and declare a |
| child do a good, if elementary, science project? | | | | conclusion. (Did you feel the fun start to go away?!) |
| Before you discuss it with your child, do your | | | | It's also important not to choose a science project so |
| homework. If your elementary school child has been | | | | complicated that the child is only a spectator. Find an |
| assigned a science project, you already know that | | | | experiment that allows the child to participate, to |
| your biggest step is choosing a topic. Don't make the | | | | understand the scientific principles, and to have fun! |