How to Teach Science to the Child Who Hates Science
Published:
December 2, 2020
Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa
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What I remember from science is textbooks and labs that I never understood. How can we prevent our kids from dreading science, like many of us did? Check out some ways how to teach science to the child who hates science.
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I remember dreading science in public school. Science class was comprised of a textbook and tests. When we finally go to do lab work in middle school, it got even worse.
I remember not really ever getting it. It wasn’t clear why we’re doing the labs or the reason behind the lab work. I knew I was excited to try something new for science, but then we were given lab work and I remember never really understanding.
If we didn’t speak up or just barely scraped by. then a C was just good enough. We passed without really getting it and most likely never developing a fondness toward the subject.
At least in college, we are eventually able to select sciences courses that appealed more to us. As a school-ager, we didn’t really have the option.
I enjoyed astronomy, but we never spent enough time on one topic in order for us to really develop the understanding to learn more. Everything else was a test-at-the-end-of-the-week away from being over and done with.
If only there were other ways for us to pique our child’s interest in science. Maybe if there was another way, that would make science suck less. We weren’t really afforded that opportunity.
Here comes the world of homeschooling.
Homeschooling provides us with the means to teach our children in ways that they can adjust to. Teaching our own children does not mean perfection but it does mean the freedom to try new things and to help them hate learning just a little less. That is a mom WIN!
So, if your student hates science, there is hope. If you hear a whine at the mention of biology or chemistry, then it’s totally OK. Adjust and try new things. Why? Because you can!
How to teach science to the child who hates science doesn’t have to be complicated.
Science can be budget-friendly and fun. Check out these ways to make science engaging and less dreadful for your learners.
Try STEM.
Combing science, technology, engineering, math, and even art to your science lessons makes a huge difference. Kids will grow in engagement, interest, and will buy into the importance of science in life and practical application. Here are a few STEM activities to give you a start
FREE Physical Science STEM Projects
FREE Life Science STEM Projects
23 STEM & STEAM YouTube Channels for Kids
Fun Science & STEM Activities for 7-9-Year-Olds | Go Science Kids
Plan Engaging STEM Lessons: STEM Lesson Plan Template (FREE) | Math Geek Mama
Explore experiments.
Science experiments are not only beneficial for your child’s educational journey, they also provide some of the best memories your kids will have while homeschooling.
Whether it be mixing everyday substances to form something new, or producing unexpected changes, science experiments are a fun and exciting way that science will be
Budget-Friendly Science Experiments
FREE Laws of Motion Experiments
10 Minute Science Experiments | Go Science Kids
30+ Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids | Natural Beach Living
10+ Hands-On Science Experiments | True Aim Education
Easy and Fun Science Experiments for Kids | Fearless Homeschool
Venture through nature studies.
Of course, getting kids outside and burning some energy is a given when doing nature studies with kids. However, that is not nearly the main reason or bets benefit of incorporating nature studies for science in your homeschool.
Nature studies actually provide a great foundation for the basis of all science. Discover, investigate, observe, and study. All of these can be taught with a nature study but can be also carried to every other science topic in your child’s future.
The main reason the nature studies for science will benefit your child is that they get to appreciate and observe and learn to care about God’s creation.
Notebooking Ideas for Nature Study
10 Unbelievably Easy Ways To Do Nature Study For Kids | Homeschool Mastery Academy
FREE Insect Nature Study Packet | Mom.Wife.Homeschool Life
6 Fun and FREE Nature Studies to Beat the Doldrums | Tina’s Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Nature Anatomy for Nature Study | Simple Living Mama
FREE Printable Vintage Science and Nature Flash Cards | Our Hand Crafted Life
Collecting Nature and Encountering Our Creator (GIANT FREEBIE) | Life Abundantly
How to use the Julia Rothman Series for Science
Virtually discover science experiences and museums.
Visiting science museums may just not be feasible, especially this year. However, virtual experiences in science are the next best thing.
Real and Virtual Images Science Practical Experiment : School Physics Project (Video) | LearnoHub
Butterfly Virtual Field Trips and Helpful Videos | 3 Giggle Girls at Home
Planetarium From Home | Roberson Museum and Science Center
Travel the World through LIVE Animal Cams
Use science apps.
If you have technology lovers at home. Well, use that to your advantage and get some apps to help them in science.
K-5 Science for Kids – Tappity
Play and Learn Science by PBS Kids
Khan Academy (FREE Google or iTunes)
NASA (FREE Google Play or iTunes)
Big List of Free Science Learning Sites & Apps
SkySafari AR – Just point your phone to the sky to locate planets, constellations, satellites, and a gazillion stars and dark sky objects. Stargazing is at your fingertips.
Have them select their favorite animals and teach them all about them.
Many kids love animals, some they love more than others. Teaching your children about their favorite animal creates interest and helps them eager to learn more about something they actually want to learn about.
Then why not buy them their favorite animals like a horse or a frog – KIDDING. Just checking is you are paying attention or not. ;-) Don’t do this, really, sharks don’t make the best pets.
FREE Printables and Unit Studies About Horses
Homeschool: Owl Unit Study | A Spectacled Owl
Ultimate Shark Unit Study | Ryal Baloo
Endangered Animals Unit Study Ideas | A Storybook Day
Frogs and their Life Cycle Unit Study (Subscriber FREEBIE) | Mom for All Seasons
Investigate with science kits.
Mailed to your home, science kits can be done via a subscription. This does have a price tag to it, however, kids absolutely love getting them in the mail. It honestly, doesn’t matter if your child hates science or not, these science boxes/kits are sure to be a hit.
KiwiCo – includes materials to create a creative, innovative STEM project. Get 50% off your first month, click here to check it out.
Bitsbox – A learning system that teaches real coding.
Science Expeditions Subscription – Solve real-life scientific mysteries every month through science experiments, hands-on STEM activities and more.
Steve Spangler’s Science Club – Ignite the spark of learning with the coolest science experiments.
Club SciKidz – Club Scikidz’ monthly lab kit is a comprehensive collection of STEM-based hands-on activities, experiments, and projects
I hope this helps you with your child who may not see science as their favorite subject. Who knows? After all these super fun science ideas, they might feel very differently about science going forward.
Enjoy!
