How to Get your Kids Interested in Science

Whilst technology has brought numerous advantages to citizens in the digital age, it has also caused a number of social issues. This is borne out by several statistics, with 94% of Australian children aged between six and 15 regularly playing console games and 95% of Aussie homes featuring at least one gaming device.

A love of gaming can also prevent your kids from embracing the great outdoors, which can in turn stop them from enjoying natural and immersive learning experiences.

With this in mind, what steps can you take to negate this and raise a science lover in your home?

Here are three ideas:

1. Regularly Venture Outside

If you’re going to create time to spend with your family, you should definitely strive to venture outdoors. This will not only foster a more active lifestyle, but it may also create opportunities for kids to learn about nature and the world around them.

Make no mistake; three out of four Noble Prize winners in science first discover their passion outside of the school environment, according to a study published in Education Week.

With this in mind, planning regular nature hikes and cycle rides can expose your children to their natural environment, encouraging them to engage with the world around them and learn about flora, wildlife and processes such as photosynthesis.

2. Engage your Child and Explore with Them

It’s not enough to simply take your child to an outdoor location, as kids often need to have their mind focused and be encouraged to explore their natural environment.

This means that you’ll need to showcase some genuine enthusiasm and engage them directly, whilst also being willing to get down and dirty and explore the great outdoors alongside them.

If you’re going to do this effectively, you’ll also need to ensure that you have the right equipment. This includes durable hiking gear and practical tools such as high-quality magnifying glasses, with RS Components selling the latter in a number of different ranges.

3. Subscribe to Relevant Magazines

If you want to work on gradually building your child’s interest in science, you should also invest in some targeted magazine subscriptions that enable them to learn about topics in far greater detail.

Globally accessible literature such as National Geographic Kids is particularly effective, as is the excellent Australian Geographic magazine. The National Geographic Traveller is another great source of insight and inspiration, particularly if you intend to encourage your children to explore whenever they head overseas.

This costs money, of course, but you should consider it as an investment in your child’s future. After all, this can create a more curious and knowledgeable mind, whilst also cultivating the type of active lifestyle that the kids of today need.