Learning science from home – ideas to deepen learning

Slip some science into everyday activities you can do while at home. The Hub has resources for helping early childhood, lower primary and middle primary students and families. This article outlines simple ways to engage learners and enhance their learning.

Fun versus deeper learning

While hands-on activities are fun, they also offer opportunities for building science knowledge. Discussion is one of the most effective ways of developing learning and knowledge.

Encourage the learner to help you gather the materials and set up the activity. While doing so, discuss:

• the names of the objects and equipment and what they will be used for
• important words (content vocabulary) associated with the activity
• predictions for what might happen.

During the activity:

• talk about what is happening, encouraging the use of the science vocabulary when appropriate
• use questions such as “I wonder why” or “I wonder how”
• repeat the activity, asking questions such as “I wonder what would happen if …”.

After the activity:

• reflect on the process and the outcome and whether predictions met the outcome
• create a simple representation of the activity – an annotated drawing or photo of the activity
• begin a display of special science words in a scrapbook or online platform, with images if desired.

Literacy opportunities

The Hub features a growing list of articles from the Connected journal – a series of readers published by the New Zealand Ministry of Education. Each article has a link to a Google Slide presentation, which allows users to view the journal online. There are also links to teacher support material (TSM). TSM has some very useful tips on how to enhance both literacy and scientific learning.

Each Connected article featured on the Hub has related content that provides background information and activity ideas.

The topic Literacy through science collates Hub resources that can be used to promote visual and written literacy. Use the filters to narrow your search.

Numeracy opportunities

While doing a hands-on activity, consider how to incorporate numeracy:

• Take advantage of simple counting or multiplication opportunities.
• Weigh or measure ingredients/components, discussing the units of measurement – gram, ml, cm and so on.
• Create a table or graph of results.

Connected also promotes mathematical literacy. NZ Maths will help you find suitable age-related content.

There’s no need to be an expert

Science is about observation, curiosity, discovery and the pursuit of new knowledge. Don’t worry if you don’t have the answer to a question. Look up the questions and answer them together. When scientists don’t know an answer, they ask a colleague or do some research. Alternatively, contact us at the Science Learning Hub, and we’ll do our best to help.