Establishing an atmosphere of science-inquiry even when your children are small, will set the foundation for a scientific lifestyle that encourages your family to explore their curiosities and learn more about the science of the world around them. Most young children are naturally curious and inclined to exploration. The traditional school system cannot encourage this…
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Age is No Limit in Big Scientific Discoveries
This is amazing. Just two days ago, on January 2, this 10-year old Kathryn Gray in Canada was using a computer program that compares new and old images of the same portion of the night sky when she located a previously undiscovered supernova. She is now the youngest discoverer of a supernova, proving that age…
Exploring Winter Through Play
The boys have been spending time outside almost every day learning about winter first-hand. Summer received a shiny new sled for the holiday from Papa, and could scarcely wait to get home to try it out. I like watching them from my front room picture-window; they can practically sled right out the back door and…
Up Close and Personal With Bugs
As someone who values insects in my garden, I can personally testify to the stunning beauty of insects. This slide-show from Planet Green will show you that once you get past all those legs, insects are not only beneficial, but gorgeous as well. Check it out! Insects: Up Close and Really, Really Personal
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Science at-Home; Not Just for Homeschoolers
Everyone agrees that parents play a critical role in their children’s education: research shows that when parents are actively involved in their child’s life he will achieve greater success as a learner. It is also generally agreed upon that a scientifically and technologically literate society is crucial to America’s future success, yet much of the…
Unschooling Update
We’ve been “unschooling” for a couple of months now, and I’m embarrassed to admit that my boys are still obsessed with their video games. I even hesitate to share this news with you, but in the fairness of full disclosure I want other parents to know that the road to unschooling success has it’s own…
Establishing Somerset Beekeepers
Faithful readers of my blog might be aware of the plight of the environmental activist in central Maine–which is that the clubs and programs to encourage participation and education among the community are all but non-existent in this area. This is true of the Maine State Beekeeper’s Association as well. As an extension of my…
The Science of Winter
Now that the first day of winter is just around the corner, I have found myself standing at my picture window gazing longingly outside and wondering what I can do to encourage participation with nature despite the cold. And how can I stimulate inquiry into the science of winter? What are the sciences of winter…
How to Teach Science Every Day
Why is it that science intimidates us? I’ve heard it more than once–I even used to feel that way! That science was just too hard to teach, since I really didn’t understand it myself. Science is so all-encompassing, and so critically important–as homeschoolers it’s daunting to think about teaching our children any part of it,…