Good Idea or Not?

[ColwynsMommy]

I host a monthly science 'club' for my homeschool group. The participants are all aged 4-7. I usually lead a few experiments.. we've done plate tectonics, panned for fossils, optical illusions, the space program, lunar craters, electricity, and a lot I'm forgetting.

I really don't feel like leading an experiment and haven't been able to come up with any good ideas. I thought of setting up a big poster board on the table and giving the kids felt, pipe cleaners, playdough, etc to make a big diorama with some little plastic dinosaurs or something. They could do a baking soda and vinegar volcano, too.

What do you think? Is that 'science-y' enough? Is there something I could add to it to make it more substantial? I feel like I set too high a standard with some of our past experiments, and don't really have the energy to search for a good topic this month.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by ColwynsMommy

What do you think? Is that 'science-y' enough? Is there something I could add to it to make it more substantial? I feel like I set too high a standard with some of our past experiments, and don't really have the energy to search for a good topic this month.

I started a science club for a small group of boys who were close to my son's age when they were around 9 or so. I had intentions of doing all sorts of fun experiments, but I burned out very fast on that idea. What I did instead was ask them to each bring an experiment every week to share - that meant four experiments. They each did their own independent research (with their moms in some cases) through kids' science experiment books from the library or book stores, and then rounded up all the supplies for everyone to be able to participate in the most appropriate way (in other words, sometimes there was only a demo, but sometimes they each participated). That worked out GREAT - they all had fun rounding up and presenting experiments, and then they played for the rest of the afternoon. The other moms and I just stood back and helped with the experiments when needed, but stayed away from trying to make things into "lessons" the way I'd originally intended. I can't tell you how much everyone loved those science days - the moms were still talking years later about what great memories they were. Lillian

[ColwynsMommy]

Originally Posted by Lillian J

I started a science club for a small group of boys who were close to my son's age when they were around 9 or so. I had intentions of doing all sorts of fun experiments, but I burned out very fast on that idea. What I did instead was ask them to each bring an experiment every week to share - that meant four experiments. They each did their own independent research (with their moms in some cases) through kids' science experiment books from the library or book stores, and then rounded up all the supplies for everyone to be able to participate in the most appropriate way (in other words, sometimes there was only a demo, but sometimes they each participated). That worked out GREAT - they all had fun rounding up and presenting experiments, and then they played for the rest of the afternoon. The other moms and I just stood back and helped with the experiments when needed, but stayed away from trying to make things into "lessons" the way I'd originally intended. I can't tell you how much everyone loved those science days - the moms were still talking years later about what great memories they were. Lillian

That sounds like an awesome idea! I really wish I could swing that, but I'm betting I'd only get two families to actually go through with it. A lot of the families in our group tend to prefer activities where they don't have to do as much work.. which is a pain in the butt for me. I'm the leader of the group and while I have a few moms who help plan things, the majority of it's on me. Next year, I think I'm going to skip science club (this is my second year) and do something else..

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by ColwynsMommy

That sounds like an awesome idea! I really wish I could swing that, but I'm betting I'd only get two families to actually go through with it. A lot of the families in our group tend to prefer activities where they don't have to do as much work.. which is a pain in the butt for me. I'm the leader of the group and while I have a few moms who help plan things, the majority of it's on me. Next year, I think I'm going to skip science club (this is my second year) and do something else..

The funny thing about it - which surprised me - is that the other moms involved felt really lucky to be able to simply help their own children get together an experiment (they mostly let them just do it themselves) and then just show up and enjoy. It involved no real planning on their part - mostly just picking up necessary supplies with their children. They were absolutely thrilled to be able to do so little for so much return! I'd give it a try - you might be pleasantly surprised. Although, come to think of it, you're including younger children too, so that could involve more parent participation in gathering the experiments... Lillian

[aran]

I lead a science group for the same ages at my co-op. It is difficult to think up exciting things every week. Your idea sounds great - maybe print out some pictures of dinosaur habitats for them to look at when they make the diorama, and talk to them about science-y things while they are working... I did similar things two separate weeks when things were hectic and I couldn't put in the prep time: (1) I read them a book about bugs, we looked at bugs encased in resin through magnifying glasses, and they made bugs out of modeling clay, to bring home. They loved it. (2) I read a book to them about the human body, then I gave them each a printout showing a human skeleton. I then used a roll of paper, taped a large piece of paper to the floor for each kid. Other moms and I traced the kids' bodies, and then they tried to draw in all the bones of their body. They loved that too.

In both cases, there was very little prep on my part, but the kids were still happy.

p.s. if you do the volcano with the dinosaurs, that could perpetuate the former belief that volcanoes caused the mass extinction unless you are clear in explaining... maybe have them build a big meteorite and crater in the diorama...

[ColwynsMommy]

Originally Posted by aran

I lead a science group for the same ages at my co-op. It is difficult to think up exciting things every week. Your idea sounds great - maybe print out some pictures of dinosaur habitats for them to look at when they make the diorama, and talk to them about science-y things while they are working... I did similar things two separate weeks when things were hectic and I couldn't put in the prep time: (1) I read them a book about bugs, we looked at bugs encased in resin through magnifying glasses, and they made bugs out of modeling clay, to bring home. They loved it. (2) I read a book to them about the human body, then I gave them each a printout showing a human skeleton. I then used a roll of paper, taped a large piece of paper to the floor for each kid. Other moms and I traced the kids' bodies, and then they tried to draw in all the bones of their body. They loved that too.

In both cases, there was very little prep on my part, but the kids were still happy.

p.s. if you do the volcano with the dinosaurs, that could perpetuate the former belief that volcanoes caused the mass extinction unless you are clear in explaining... maybe have them build a big meteorite and crater in the diorama...

I like the idea of making their own dinosaurs.. maybe we could do that instead of them using plastic dinosaurs. Then we could talk about the carnivores vs herbivores, etc. There will be a lot of kids so I could split them into two groups and have them takes turns working on creating dinosaurs and the diorama.

I love the skeleton idea, too, btw.. I remember doing something like that in elementary school. Maybe I'll use that next month.

Lillian, I think I'm going to try that idea after all. Maybe the first month after the new baby's born, since it'll mean less work for me. Thanks!