Science is a major part of the Australian school curriculum. As jobs and technologies shift towards science-heavy industries, we’re spending more time teaching kids about science. That’s great news for students – it means they’re being equipped with the tools they need to take on schooling and their future careers. In this article we are going to explore why science is important for kids and some of the ways you can encourage students to get involved!
How Science Plays a Crucial Role in a Child’s Development
Science education plays an important role in helping children develop communication, critical thinking, problem solving and logical thinking skills. These skills aren’t just important for science class, kids will use them throughout their school and working lives. That means a strong science foundation during childhood could continue to benefit students for decades to come.
Science exists all around us. That might seem obvious to adults, but children are only just beginning their learning journey, and science holds the answer to thousands of questions they’re burning to ask. Exposing students to science education isn’t just great for critical thinking, it can also encourage a curiosity that will serve your students well throughout school, work and the rest of their lives!
Improving Life Skills Through Science Education
Science education, experiments and activities are a great way to provide students with new opportunities to learn life skills. The process of learning about science and conducting experiments not only teaches scientific understanding, it helps students improve in other areas by:
- Encouraging curiosity and creativity
- Building critical and iterative thinking skills
- Developing analytical thinking and logical reasoning
- Exposing students to problem solving
- Teaching teamwork
These things are all embedded within a strong science education that uses effective and age-appropriate learning techniques. By encouraging students to get involved with science from an early age, you’ll be setting them up for success in school!
When thrown properly, a boomerang has two different motions going on. The first is forward motion from the throw (just like if you threw a tennis ball). The second is the spin. Because the boomerang is moving forwards and spinning at the same time, the two wings are actually moving at different speeds. The wing on top moves faster than the one on the bottom, meaning the top wing generates more lift and causes the boomerang to tilt as it flies.
Setting Students Up for Careers in Science
We are currently living through a period of great change. New technological advancements are having a profound effect on employment opportunities. Increasing automation in industries like manufacturing, mining, transport and construction is causing a major shift in jobs. Over the next five years, the Australian Skills Committee is predicting a 12.9% growth in STEM careers, with many of those roles being highly resilient to economic uncertainty.
These changes to the way we work will be felt the most over the next few decades. An increase in the number of science, engineering, technology and robotics jobs means that students need to be prepared for the workforce of the future. Starting science education early isn’t just a useful way to build critical thinking, it’s also an important part of setting kids up for success in the high tech industries of the future.
How to Encourage Kids to Learn Science
Science is often a challenging subject to teach, especially to younger students. The difficult concepts involved mean that lessons need to be tailored to suit the age groups you’re working with.
Here are a few simple ways to encourage children and students to get involved with science from an early age:
- Indulge their curiosity. The most effective way to teach science to younger students is to follow their natural curiosity! Rather than getting caught up in teaching the correct answers, let students pick the areas they’re interested in learning more about. You can then focus on teaching skills that will help to answer questions in their areas of interest and channel their curiosity in science.
- Make it fun! The best lessons are always the fun ones. Research shows that being in a good mood has a positive impact on attentiveness, memory, comprehension and other brain functions that help students retain and recall information. A fun, humorous science workshop is far more likely to stay with your students than any other type of learning.
- Get hands-on. Kids love to get involved with the things they’re learning, and science is the perfect topic for hands-on classes! Hands-on learning engages new neurological pathways that help the brain create better comprehension and retention. That means a hands-on science workshop can go a long way to helping students build their scientific skills and understanding.
- Use real-world examples. Some of the biggest concepts in science can be difficult for students to understand. The good news is that science is all around us, so it’s usually simple to find real-world applications that can help your students grasp the scientific principles you’re teaching. Try to choose examples that your students are familiar with already, or use hands-on experiments to create examples that students can experience for themselves.
Invest in Your Students’ Future with Science Workshops by Street Science!
Helping students explore the world of science is one of the best things you can do to encourage their curiosity! An effective science education sets students up for success and helps to channel their interests into constructive learning experiences.
If you’re looking for a great way to engage students, explain scientific concepts and jump start their curiosity, give Street Science a call! The team at Street Science is made up of experienced science communicators who LOVE sharing our passion with students of all ages. We’ve got a huge range of science classes, workshops and stage shows that are targeted at preschool, primary school and high school aged students. Whether we’re dealing with the fundamentals of science or diving into the nitty gritty of advanced concepts, we always deliver shows that are FUN and ENGAGING!
We use simple explanations, humour and plenty of hands-on activities that encourage students to explore the world around them in totally new ways. You’re always welcome to book a science incursion online, or get in touch with the Street Science team to find out more about our shows!
