Tips for Parents: Young Scientists in the Making

Young Scientists in the Making

Does your child show a strong interest in science? Is he curious about nature or stars or medicine? If your child shows any interest in science, you should do everything you can to foster that passion. An interest in the scientific world may develop at a young age and it is important to keep such interest alive. Perhaps your child shows a special interest towards a particular science such as chemistry or physics. If so, you should delve into that area. Introduce reading materials (i.e. books, magazines, etc.), experiments, computer programs, and current research in that area to your child. However, it is important to make sure that your child does not get discouraged if he is laughed at for his scientific endeavors. There will always be people who refuse to take your child’s interests seriously but that should not get in the way of your child’s passion for science.

I. Expose your child to a wealth of scientific knowledge presented in both magazines and books. Your child may find such information very appealing. However, it is important to note that when you look at science books, you should try to avoid those books that are outdated. You can do this by checking the book’s publication date since a newer book will most likely contain more current theories. Also, you can look to see if the research that the book focuses upon has been completed within the last couple of years. The following are some amazing magazines and books suitable for your children with a passion for science:

• Wonderful magazines for your gifted child include: Scientific American, Popular Science, Discover Magazine, and Science News.
• Science News for Kids provides information about science topics in a magazine format. It is fun to read, yet at the same time, it satisfies a curious child’s desire for more knowledge. It features research ranging from making ice cream more nutritious to the utility of nanotechnology.
• Biographies of famous scientists like Louis Pasteur or Marie Curie may spark your child’s interest in science and also provide some history of science information.
• Science Smart Junior: Discovering the Secrets of Science. This is a science book designed for middle school students and is full of detailed descriptions of scientific concepts and ideas for hands-on experiments.
• For a specific interest in chemistry, check out the Elements Intro to Chemistry Curriculum w/ CD by Rainbow Resource.
• For a specific interest in magnetism and energy science, check out Time for Kids. This website contains links to other websites like NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy, where your child may find appealing information. Also, Electricity and Magnetism by Adamczyk et. al and The Thomas Edison Book of Easy and Incredible Experiments from the Thomas Alva Edison Foundation are highly recommended.

II. Visits to museums are a great way to get your child more involved in science. Such visits are fun and educational. At museums, one can take part in hands-on experiments, learn about famous scientists, watch videos about the latest inventions, and do much more.

• Science museums are fabulous all over the country. Some well-regarded museums include the Discovery Center of Idaho and the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh.
• They are truly a fun outlet. For example, the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Oregon had an octopus to pet!

III. Science Competitions provide a wonderful chance for your child to delve into a particular area of research and then to show off his knowledge. Not only are research competitions fun, but they allow children to feel a sense of accomplishment, even if they don’t win. However, these competitions are especially rewarding if your child does in fact win, as there are many honors associated with winning. Some competitions worth noting for your child include:

• Toshiba ExploraVision Awards Competition. This is a team competition where you must think of some invention that could be possible 20 years from now. If you win, you receive prizes and money. There may be some difficulty with this competition if children are home-schooled because it may be hard to put a team together. However, parents of home-schooled students should still try to form a group and then perhaps find a supportive scientist or teacher on the side who could help the students.
• DuPont Essay Challenge. This is an individual competition in which one writes a paper about an interesting science topic of one’s choice.
• Craftsman NSTA Young Inventors Awards Program. For this competition, one conceives of an invention and then writes about it.
• Young Naturalist Awards. For this competition, one goes on an expedition and explores, collects data, and reports on findings.

IV. Teaching science to your home-schooled, gifted child is important. It doesn’t really matter what sequence you follow to study the sciences. If your child is eager to study a specific science first, then follow his lead. However, you should make sure to cover all of the sciences and expose him to the big four: physical science, biology, chemistry, and earth science.

V. Research programs may benefit your child and help to satisfy your child’s thirst for more scientific knowledge. Such programs may provide an enjoyable learning environment for your young passionate scientist.

• For a list of lots of programs that your child may be interested in, check out http://www.societyforscience.org/sts/index.asp.
• Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development has many programs for children interested in science. A Saturday Enrichment Program is available for those who live in the Chicago area. Also, this center provides science classes that students can take online by correspondence.

VI. Working in a laboratory setting at a university is something that you definitely want your young scientist to engage in. However, you may have to wait some time before your child is old enough to work in a university lab, as researchers are very concerned with safety and may already have several graduate students working for them.

There are many ways to become involved with science research on the university level:

• Spend time searching the internet for research programs that your child can take part in. Find a program at a university and apply with an application. Hopefully, your young scientist will be accepted.
• Browse university websites and specific researchers’ homepages. Find research that seems interesting and contact the professors working on those topics to inquire if your gifted youngster would be able to join them in their labs.
• Ask your science teacher if he/she can connect you with research professors that he/she knows.