How would you like to see your children get excited about learning science? “Yeah, right”, you’re thinking. “You don’t know MY kids”. True, science doesn’t rank very high on most kid’s popularity lists.
Oh sure, they get a kick out of seeing a mock volcano experiment or some other flashy science demonstration, but when it comes right down to actually learning the principles involved, well, that’s a different story. But don’t despair. There’s still a hands-on learning approach that will teach the necessary knowledge while retaining the fun of those wacky science experiments that sometimes go awry.
What exactly am I talking about? Educational science kits, that’s what.
Sales for children’s educational science kits are on the rise, and with good reason. They are becoming a great blessing to children, teachers and parents. Many homeschoolers are investing in these kits in order to give their children that hands-on experience many public school students get in the classroom, and more.
Good science kits consist of tools which encourage exploration through activities that make learning fun. They are filled with activities to engage young imaginations and build creative minds and critical thinking skills.
The types of science kits available are nearly endless. There are kits for learning about plants, animals, chemistry, electronics, robotics, geology, even the weather. They come fully equipped with all the materials required. And these kits are designed for specific grade levels.
For example, most first graders are required to learn about the senses. The My Senses Kit
encourages children to conduct experiments exploring the five senses. Included in the kit are a stethoscope, a telescope and a prism. When making a decision about which kit to buy, keep in mind that there is more to these kits than meets the eye (no pun intended). They’re chock-full of great learning tools and experiences for your young student.
The Mini Ant Factory is also good choice for the very young. Measuring 8” by 8 1/2”, it provides great lessons in responsibility. Of course, if you are worried about ants running all over your house you might prefer The Bug World. This kit includes a net, a magnifying glass, charts, and no ants, at least not indoors. Both of these kits teach students all about ecology and the insect world. Bugs not included, but we’re sure that won’t be a problem for your budding entomologist.
If your student is a little older, he may be interested in electronics. Science kits are tools that can help both children and adults decipher the world of electronics by introducing some basic knowledge. Electrical science kits are great because you usually end up with a device that can be used over and over for both fun and practical uses.
One example is the Short Wave Radio Kit. You can learn about electronics as you build a radio. When you are done you have your very own short wave radio. There are other kits that teach how to build telephones, cameras, doorbells, and even kites and simple rockets. These kits are not only fun to use, but they also teach the scientific principles involved in how they are made and why they work.
Commercial science kits are attractive and can be convenient resources. They are perfect for those who have trouble rounding up all the stuff for experiments. These kits are comprehensive, high quality learning tools. Many science kits are supplemented by very clear teacher’s and student’s manuals, as well as worksheets.
Science kits are particularly helpful for children who have not had concrete experience with science. They are packed with materials to help children enjoy learning about science and how scientists work. Science kits are filled with activities to engage young imaginations and build creative minds and critical thinking skills.
Science Kits are indeed inexpensive, fun, and educational science experiments in a box.
They are an excellent way to give our children hands-on science time in our homeschooling activities. Science kits are popular with the students and reinforce scientific concepts through experiential learning.
How do people come up with all of these ideas for science kits? Are their developers mad scientists with too much time on their hands? Hardly.
Science kits are based on sound theory and backed by real-world testing. The kits are a result of years of working with teachers, scientists, museums, and students. Science kits are high-quality science and technology related educational products for children of all ages. And they are teacher-friendly. They are great education aids that make science fun.
Science kits are also a great choice for multi-sensory learning. If your child is one who learns by doing, science kits are the perfect tools to use to teach. Let’s face it. Books can only take a child so far. Science kits can take him or her to the next level with hands-on activities that he or she will really enjoy.
Science Kits are a truly unique, scientific, fun way to get kids loving science. These comprehensive, high-quality science kits are perfect for redefining science and engaging minds and hands in worthwhile play. The science kits are curriculum in and of themselves.
Learning science can be a wonderful experience. Most public and private schools have lab equipment so that students can gain the hands-on experience they need, although the variety of the equipment and quality of the instruction they receive varies greatly. Homeschoolers, however, rarely have access to such equipment.
That is why it is so important to invest in educational science kits. They can give your child that hands-on experience that will help to prepare him/her for college, work or both. Who knows, maybe your child will one day become famous for developing some wild and wacky scientific demonstration. Better yet, perhaps he or she will make a significant scientific contribution that will improve the lives of mankind for generations to come.
Lisa Lee
http://www.articlesbase.com/homeschooling-articles/home-grown-young-scientist-140862.html
May 15th, 2010 at 4:18 am
marriage for both love and green card in jeopardy?
A long story, but I believe all the details are important.
A friend of mine is a J-1 visa overstay here in the US.
How did it happen?
She came to this country - a well-educated young scientist, in search of happy life her home country couldn’t offer her. She’s 30 years plus, so it was very difficult to get a visa. And, while here, she learned that the ONLY option to stay in the US was marriage. She consulted an attorney, so no mistake with that. And was already thinking of paying someone for the "green card marriage" while still working here and making some money (not much). But - met a guy she fell in love with. He is an American citizen. He fell in love with her, too. He was probably not ready to get married asap, but he didn’t want to lose her. So he proposed. She never talked him into it, but accepted.
While being on her one-month grace period before the visa and legal ID totally expired, she moved to a different state to live with him and his family. They all like her a lot.
Her fiance started working with his lawyer on the pre-nuptial agreement: being in love doesn’t mean he would let her take away half of his property in case they get divorced. She accepted that and agreed, so the matter was supposed to be done with. But - it’s been 6 months. Her husband-to-be told her he’d take care of everything - she just had to wait. She’s got all the paperwork needed, no problem with that. And, being open with her fiance, asked him, if he really wants to get through it, does he really love her - or feels like he is pressured into a "green card marriage". She also asked him, if he wants her to leave - or stay with him. He told her he loves her and wants to be with her, even though he didn’t think of himself as a married person often before they met. But he understands he may lose her if they don’t marry.
This guy brings her coffee in bed, cooks for her, lets her do her art projects, etc - since being out of status now she can’t get a job. She helps him and his parents around the house, they are both nice to each other. Sex life is fine, too.
Still, she is worried about how slow everything is going, and consulted an attorney on line: does a pre-nuptial agreement take so long to make? And the answer was - her boyfriend is just stalling, a pre-nup only takes a few hours to compose.
Yesterday she cried her heart out and I was listening - without knowing what to tell her.
Her man’s irrational fear of marriage may cost this girl a future. Now that she has overstayed 6 months in the US, she may get deported without the right to re-enter during the next 10 years.
Her only option to become legal here is marriage, remember. She can either wait for this guy to overcome his fears, or find someone else - a total stranger, just for a green card. That would be horrible, and she is very attached to her boyfriend, his family, their community. Everybody likes her, and wants the two of them to get married.
She’s upset by the fact her prospective hubby didn’t tell her he wasn’t quite working with his attorney… Probably he got into the comfort zone, - what they call "Why buy a cow if the milk is for free?" He knows she can’t go anywhere now, even take a Greyhound, because thay require ID there. He is a good guy, and almost 35 years old, but probably less mature than his girlfriend. Does he realize that she may be taken away from him?
I believe there must be a way out. I’ve known this girl for many years, and have seen her together with her bf many times. My impression is - he loves her and cares for her. And - hell, she deserves it. But he is a bit impulsive, and needs to grow up a little, even though he’s a very sharp guy - and a tall one
An artist, dj, sound director. As you know, people of these occupations are not fond of social rituals. But he understands the whole situation.
All I could do for my friend is to assure her, that positive thinking works, even though who knows how much time it will take. I can see her here as a US citizen - and happy. What is important - she is making her man happy, too.
Hope it was just a freak out, praying for her.
May 15th, 2010 at 9:20 am
Green card is not in jeopardy unless she get caught. The worst about it her bf is not realizing than she might have to wait in jail more than 2 months (especially without any valid document even more) for no other reason just awaiting her deportation.
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May 15th, 2010 at 9:22 am
No she is stalling … she has already got a 3 year ban from the US ….
time to tell him she is going home before the ten year ban comes in …
He will either get his act together or let her go …
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May 15th, 2010 at 9:24 am
"Her only option to become legal here is marriage, remember"
not true - her other option was to LEAVE
she screwed up her life because she chose to STAY.
now she is illegal.
she is very naive for a 30 years old. very naive.
I have NO sympathy for her at all.
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May 15th, 2010 at 9:26 am
He is probably afraid as soon as she gets her green card she will divorce him because a great percentage of them do and he is financially responsible for her for 10 years or so even after the divorce. Anyone can pretend to be on the up and up.
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Opinion