Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Do we have to do experiments in our homeschool science studies? Join Michael Farris as he talks about exploring science on today's Home School Heartbeat.

Michael Farris:
This week we've been talking about including science in your homeschool curriculum. Today I want to talk about the value of scientific experiments for elementary-aged children.

Once a scientist develops a working hypothesis, the only way to find out if it's accurate is to test it. A Nobel physicist once said, "Every great discovery I ever made, I trusted that the truth was there, and then I acted on it in faith until I could prove its existence."

Doing experiments with your kids gives them an opportunity to see for themselves the beauty and order in God's creation. By simply giving your elementary-aged children a chance to verify some basic science principles through hands-on experiments, you'll be setting a good precedent for future in-depth science studies.

And frankly, this stuff is fun! Your budding scientist won't need expensive lab equipment at this stage. Many fantastic resources are available for parents, many using simple things you already have around the house. One website, tryscience.org, has experiments you can do online or at home. Here are a few titles of their experiments that might whet your appetite: "Seafood Surgery," "Mummy Magic," "Speed, Eggs and Slam!" The main thing is, don't let science scare you. Have fun exploring God's world with your kids, and who knows, maybe the next Louis Pasteur or Thomas Alva Edison lives in your house! I'm Mike Farris.

To receive a copy of the free resource Tips for Studying Science at Home, call us toll-free at 866-338-8614. That's 866-338-8614. Or visit us online at homeschoolheartbeat.com.