Science experiments.
No science curriculum is complete without them.
They’re every kids opportunity to become Mad Scientists.
In fact, they can be the most fun part of some children’s homeschool day!
That’s because science experiments allow kids to get their hands dirty and manipulate the physical world in new and exciting ways.
On the flip side, putting together science experiments can be difficult, time consuming, and costly.
Which brings me to today’s topic:
When should you use real science experiments and when should you use online versions like videos and simulations?
Now everyone has his or her own preferences and opinions about teaching science and I respect that, but today I am going to humbly share with you MY thoughts on when to use online science experiments and when not to.
So let’s get started.
Using Online Science Experiments
My personal belief is that in MOST cases, you should NOT use online experiments. I think that science experiments should be hands-on. Children need to be able to physically interact with science. They need to do as Miss Frizzle says, “Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!” DOING is always a more powerful tool for learning than just watching or listening. Remember what Benjamin Franklin said? “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” “Do” always trumps “watch” and “listen,” so involve your children PHYSICALLY in learning science whenever possible instead of using the web.
Okay, I’ll get off my high horse now and share with you some occasions when you may want to use online science experiments.
When Safety is an Issue
I don’t want you or your kids to blow up your house. If the topic you’re working on in science covers something dangerous like combustibles or nuclear reactions, don’t try it at home. Please. Let the web teach it.
When You Can’t Get the Materials
In spite of the awesome selection on Amazon, some of the chemicals or other materials needed for science experiments may not be easy to get, or they may be too expensive. In that case, you may want to go virtual.
When You Don’t Have a Place to Do the Experiment
If you live in an apartment, you may not have the outdoor space needed to do some experiments. If that’s the case, feel free to watch a video.
When the Experiment is Too Difficult to Do
I don’t know about you, but I think that some scientists must have a magic touch. They can do an experiment and make it look SOOOO easy, but when I try it, it flops. Ever had that happen? If that’s the case for you with a certain experiment, just go ahead and cheat a little and watch it online. You have my permission.
By the way, here’s a quick tip for you. When preparing for an experiment that you ARE going to do physically, sometimes it can help to watch a video of it secretly to see how it goes. It can help you do it more effectively in real life with your children.
Tomorrow I will have a list of some sites with online science experiments and simulations that you can take advantage of when doing the experiment in real life just doesn’t work.
Many blessings,
