6 Principles for Teaching Science + Free Science Experiment Printable Challenge

The task of science and its ultimate goal is to point us to recognize the wisdom, care and beauty of God, the Creator. We live in God’s world and He wants us to study it as a way for us to acknowledge and submit to His majesty, power and grandeur.

Our responsibility as parents and educators is to nourish and nurture our kids’ love for the world around them. We must help them deepen their appreciation of science, as this will allow them, or better said, lead them to a better appreciation and praise of its Creator and Sustainer. 

6 Principles for Teaching Science

• Keep the questions coming

Kids always ask questions and wonder about how things work. Encourage that curiosity and assist by helping them find the answers, or better yet, motivate them to discover the answers for themselves.

• Take every opportunity to show them that the world around us is science

Science is quite possibly the easiest subject to cover on a daily basis, as it is all around us. While looking at a flower, the stars, the food we eat, the way our body works, etc. Teaching science doesn’t have to be a task you or your children dread. 

• Do not fear and fret about messes that come 

Messes are part of the learning experience. I, for one, did not like having my living room, kitchen or bathroom all wet, and having to wipe up the baking soda, food coloring, etc. Yet, kids love science and being amazed at what happens as a result of ‘science’. 

• Science experiments are great for family bonding

When completing science experiments, you have to work together. That alone makes it a great teaching tool, but on top of that, there is nothing more exciting than sharing a moment of amazement that often occurs during or after the completion of a science experiment. In addition, experiments are another way to promote an investigative mind.

• Try to make it fun and interesting

Especially in the younger years, we need to keep science to topics that really interest the kids and seek to make learning as fun as can be. Since science by nature is very hands-on, this should not be too difficult. Even when the kids grow up, they never tire of being awed by things that they truly wonder about. So, even though we have to learn about the not-so-fun stuff, we should always seek to make room for fun science.

• Schedule it and make time for it

This one here is my downfall. Every time science is skipped at my house (because Math and Language Arts tend to be prioritized), it is because I did not schedule it properly, or I was too stuck in my schedule. Every time science was completed, it was because I scheduled it in. This becomes even more important as the demands of the grades become higher and higher.

Science is found everywhere. As such, science does not have to be as hard as we think it is. For sure, as the grades add up, and depending on whether or not your child wants to go into the sciences, later on, you may need to be very intentional in what and how you choose to study science.

As a general rule, though, science can be taught everywhere while using a variety of methods and tools. I encourage you to either complete the science experiment challenge below or go exploring the great outdoors over the next month. Whatever plan for science studies that you make, be sure that you schedule it and that it is fun for everyone! 

Be sure to follow my science board on Pinterest below to see, save and share my science content and printables!

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