Five Science Ideas for Homeschoolers

Homeschooling can be challenging in some respects. The core subjects - reading, writing, and 'rithmetic - are pretty basic. Methods may vary a little, but English is - well, English.

Other subjects lend themselves to more creativity. History can come alive through reenactments and hands-on experiments. Foreign language is much easier to learn if you get to know a native speaker. Science is much the same - wade in, get dirty, and have some fun with it.

#1 - Kitchen science is not only fun and yummy, it also teaches math, history, and living skills! Simple activities like baking bread are perfect - the kids get to measure (great way to learn fractions), knead, and bake. They learn about the action of yeast and gluten, and if you have a microscope they can see exactly what is making the bread rise. You can make test loaves with no/more/less yeast, and even bake some quick breads with other leavening agents. While the kids work, talk about the history of bread and its importance in cultures around the world. If you're really ambitious, look up some recipes for ethnic breads and try baking them - especially if you're studying those cultures in history class at the moment!

#2 - Testing different kinds of water with a microscope - where do different kinds of microbes live? Let your kids test every kind of water they can think of (even gross stuff. Boys will love testing dog spit and toilet water. If you're worried about germs, let them be Real Scientists with gloves and masks!) Teach them to keep accurate data and then report on their findings.

#3 - Use an old aquarium to set up a miniature pond. First, have them do research and make a plan for their pond. Make sure their focus is on the health and safety of the animals. They'll need to know what the animals eat in the wild and have a plan for feeding their critters (sometimes a call to a pet store can be helpful). Also make sure they have an escape-prevention program! Then, set up the pond according to plan. If possible, use water from the pond you're getting animals from. If not, allow tap water to sit in a shallow pan overnight, and use a quality aquarium treatment to remove harmful chemicals. Allow the whole setup to sit for at least a day before you add plants and animals. Plan for a muddy morning the day you go to collect. Bring a net, several thoroughly clean glass or plastic jars for animals, an identification book, and a magnifying glass. You should also have a field notebook for each child to report what they collect, where, and how. Bring the animals home quickly and introduce them to the pond. Be careful of temperature changes between your "collection" environment and your at-home pond. Observe the animals for a set period of time, then release them. (If you live in a desert area, you might adapt this idea for lizards or desert animals instead of a pond.)

#4 - Start a collection. Shells, butterflies, rocks... whatever suits your child's fancy. Get them a quality identification manual, and let them go to town categorizing, learning scientific names, properties, and histories.

#5 - Grow vegetables. Depending on where you live, this might be a window box, or you might have an acre to turn into a garden. There's something about working the soil, tilling in compost (especially if they've made it themselves from kitchen scraps), planting seeds, carefully weeding, and patiently waiting that goes beyond education - it builds good character, as well. While you are working and enjoying your garden, you might also study the various growing methods (organic, sustainable, and standard), the Fair Trade movement, or the history of agriculture. You could conduct experiments on a plot of vegetables regarding types of fertilizer or pesticide. You could even do simple genetic manipulation by selective pollination of fruit trees, or see what happens if you splice an apple branch onto a peach tree.

If you are creative, your children can learn science and scientific method naturally. Science should be exciting and stimulating, and your family should be learning new things every day!