Children are born scientists, and they experiment with everything that comes their way. Whether they are from the Pre-primary or secondary grade, if they don’t understand anything, they will start trying every possibility to make things work. There are lots of projects, not just in science but other subjects too. But we will be focusing specifically on science projects and how they can be useful for the kids.
What is a Science Project?
Now the main question arises: what is a science project for kids? Science projects are educational activities made for kids and students to build and experiment on already discovered concepts. There are exceptions when genius students make new concepts and theories from the science projects, but mostly, it depends on already discovered concepts.
Science projects are to present at fairs and exhibitions at the school or colleges. After the Pandemic lockdown, schooling has transformed into an online medium, and the need for science projects for kids at home has become a necessity.
As the children get older, parents may decide to put their kids at a reliable school like The Real School Of Montessori, where the teacher encourages the kids to be involved in science projects. Even though online classes, children can be taught to get their hands-on science experiments using home stuff.
Science projects for kids can be classified into 4 categories, viz.
1- Experimental Projects These are investigatory projects where the kid has to mix and match things to find an unknown result. Also known as Hypothesis, where the kids are unaware or slightly aware of the conclusion of the project.
2- Engineering Projects These are technology-based projects where they have to design a machine or structure. It proves their understanding of strength and performance in constructing innovatively. The project results are based on testing and evaluations.
3- Visual Projects The projects involve assembly and construction of ideas but not in actual working. These projects represent the data and idea behind the concept, like a galaxy or electrical circuit.
4- Theoretical Projects These involve projects similar to that of engineering or experimental, but the science project explained are through models are not moving or inaction but represented visually or in writing.
The Thought Process
It can be restated as how to make science projects for kids? As mentioned above, science projects are experiments for the kids; there should be a thought process behind building a project. It is the responsibility of parents to teach their children how to proceed with the project building.
The process of the project should start with thinking about the end result in mind. The children should be taught to research the topic first. Design the experiment and keep track of the results and possibilities. Then change only one variable at a time and re-conduct the experiment multiple times. Every trial should be repeated the same way. After the results are drawn, the kid can conclude with the project.
Benefits of Science Projects for Kids
The benefits of science projects for kids are tremendous. When children indulge in projects, they no longer are disruptive and get busy exploring. The major benefit of children getting engaged in projects increases their ability to conserve. The conservation habit increases their cooperative behaviour. They will start interacting more and predict based on their observation and start asking questions.
Children use science in some or another way in their daily lives. Their curiosity of understanding the concepts can start even from making a pancake or cooking rice how a solid form mixes with water and boils in cookwares and transforms into semi-solid products.
When the children pay attention to such small concepts, their way of understanding things changes.
Parents should always focus on giving their children an environment where they can learn with the right guidance. One such opportunity can be through schools like The Real School Of Montessori, where teachers encourage students to make innovative projects.
Also Read: Painting can Increase Your Kids Patience and Focus: Five Best Painting Ideas for Kids
Projects will Engrave Knowledge in their Minds
On getting the right environment, even with the easy science project for kids, they get exposed to scientific concepts like, when one child is learning if an object in the water will sink or float, other students will learn it too.
While working on projects, the concepts are engraved in children’s passive brain as studying the same concept through books may be beneficial, but they don’t usually stay with the child forever. On the other hand, practically working on projects keeps it with the kid for a longer time.
Major Points on Benefits of Science Projects
Here are the points on how can projects be beneficial for kids –
1- It is a Fun Activity and keeps the kids engaged due to their interest in the process.
2- Projects allow the kids to use their creative outlet and explore new ideas.
3- Working on projects in a group also helps in increasing the vocabulary for the preschoolers and learning new words and understanding others’ perspectives.
4- Being an open-ended activity, children learn new things as they don’t usually work on the same projects every time.
5- Increase their problem-solving ability.
6- Learn about experimenting and the sequence to follow to work.
7- Learn to use the equipment correctly and safely.
8- Human sense organs work on learning by experiences. Kids working on projects learn where and how to see, smell, taste, hear and discover.
9- Reading books and concluding with experiments in real life.
10- Exploring the man-made and natural environment.
11- They increase their observational skills and identify the changes.
12- Improved mathematical concepts like comparing size and weight.
13- Making and drawing hypotheses as a result of discoveries.
An accomplished non-competitive after-school experiment for children makes it interesting for the kids to discover new interests and often leads to hobbies and educational pursuits for later stages of life.
How can Parents Boost their Kids’ Learning with Fun?
Kids should be eager to choose their activity and involved in deciding, planning, and executing the experiment. Parents play a vital role in enhancing this skill in their kids. Let your kids decide on some cool science projects for themselves.
Kids learn more when parents see themselves as mentors. With mentors, it means they need not tell everything to the kids on what they have to do but ask them questions, encourage and support their creativity. For being a good mentor, the parents need to.
1- Discuss their ideas and determine their area of interest.
2- Bring them books, build a library or take the children to the library and let them grasp knowledge about the topic.
3- Let them surf the internet and determine the latest tech on specific science project ideas for kids who have chosen.
4- If the child is preparing for shopping and finding the right equipment for the project, help them.
5- Monitor the safety and process of commencing the experiment. If any knife, scissor, or any other sharp object or chemicals are involved, make sure they are safe with it.
6- Experimental projects are mainly about surprises; when they find out something, the parent should explain it to the kids.
7- Following the experiment, inquire with your child about what they have learned out of the project. What all could have been done for the project if they changed a variable.
8- Whether the experiment fails or passes, parents should always praise them. The kids work hard to get to the result, so the ending may be positive or negative. They should be praised for their hard work.
Conclusion
These are a few of the benefits of choosing your kids to get into science projects. For any further information about the topic or read similar blogs, do visit our site, The Real School Of Montessori where we post similar content beneficial for kids.
