Elementary Science Projects for Non-Rocket Scientist Parents

elementary science projects they are often a parent’s first introduction to the wonderful world of school projects. The first science project is the perfect time for a child to be amazed at how things work in the world around us. Learning about things like friction, static electricity, and fire is fascinating and fun. Often, however, the process of deciding on a topic, finding a project, and making it work creates frustration for parents and students. Somewhere between fun and fair, the fun often evaporates with that first science project. It should not be like that! A science project should be a wonderful time of discovery and learning for parents and children.

But what if you’re like most parents and you’re not a rocket scientist? How can you choose and help your child do a good science project, even an elementary one?

Before discussing it with your child, do you homework. If your grade-schooler has been assigned a science project, you already know that his most important step is choosing a topic. Don’t make the mistake of being too broad and asking your child, “Do you want to do a project on electricity?” Find some specific projects that follow the guidelines of your science teacher or science fair. Then describe the project in exciting terms. “Here’s a cool project on how yeast has enough gas, yes, of that kind, to be able to blow up a balloon!” or “You remove the shell from an egg in this project and then you bounce the egg on the floor!”

As you search for an experiment, keep in mind that many teachers require that a science project follow the scientific method, even when doing an elementary school science project. That means your child has to ask a question, investigate, formulate a hypothesis, list the independent and dependent variables, test the hypothesis, graph the results, and state a conclusion. (Did you feel the fun start to wear off?!)

It’s also important not to choose a science project so complicated that the child is just a bystander. Find an experiment that allows your child to participate, understand scientific principles, and have fun!

Yes, we know how difficult this can be. We have four children and have done more science projects than we can count. We have encountered more problems than our fair share and have made many mistakes. But somewhere along the way, we start to figure it out! We started brainstorming project ideas that met the teacher’s standards, but were easy to do, affordable, interesting, and fun. We’ve written a free guide called “The Non-Science Parent’s Guide to Science Fair Projects,” which will take you step-by-step through the entire science project process. Get your copy of the guide at http://www.24HourScienceProjects.com, and we’ll help you and your child discover how easy and fun making an elementary science project can be.