Home-Based Scientific Exploration: Strategies to Enhance Understanding
Get science into your everyday activities at home with these simple steps! Engage early childhood, lower primary, and middle primary students in learning activities designed to boost science knowledge and make learning fun.
Science is Everywhere
Harness the power of science in everyday activities such as making bubbles. Mix water, dish soap, and a little paint or food coloring, then catch the bubbles on white paper. Look for patterns, make comparisons about sizes and shapes, and do some simple arithmetic.
Fun Meets Deeper Learning
Although hands-on activities are enjoyable, they also provide opportunities for learning. Encourage conversation and discussion throughout the process to help develop science knowledge and understanding.
Ask and answer questions during the activity, such as:- What are the names of the objects and equipment being used, and what will they be used for?- What important words are associated with the activity?- What are predictions for what might happen?
Making It Memorable
After the activity, have a conversation about the process and outcome. Did the predictions come true? Create a simple representation of the activity, like an annotated drawing or photo, and add it to a scrapbook or online platform.
The Best of the Connected Journal
Find more literacy opportunities with articles from the Connected journal. Access these articles from The Hub, where you can also find teacher support materials for enhancing both literacy and scientific learning. Explore the curated Connected articles by topic or concept for a range of hands-on activities.
Numeracy Opportunities
When doing a hands-on activity, look for opportunities to incorporate numeracy, such as through counting, weighing or measuring ingredients, or creating a table or graph of the results.
No Need to be an Expert
Science is about curiosity, discovery, and learning, so don't worry if you don't know the answer to a question. Look up the answers together or contact us at the Science Learning Hub for help.
Explore More
Find more ideas for hands-on activities, active and outdoor learning, and resources designed for home learning at the Science Learning Hub. Check out our Pinterest board for further inspiration.
Content Curations
Explore our curated Early Years resources collection, designed for younger children or easily adaptable for home learning. Learn how to make the most of this collection in our Creating Collections article.
Learning Science at Home
Science is everywhere, and simple science activities can easily be done at home with a willing helper. Keep learning and engaging actively to build a love for science in young minds. If you're teaching remotely or learning from home, check out our Learning at Home collections for STEM activities.
Useful Links
Visit Literacy Online for more Connected articles. Visit the Tāhurangi website for numeracy-related Connected articles. Explore Otago Museum's @HOME for resources to keep you and your family entertained at home. Check out the Learning from Home government website for other activity ideas. Access video programs and lessons for early childhood to secondary school students on ETV during Covid-19 lockdown. For insights into the impact of Covid-19 on schools, visit the Learning in a Covid-19 World report series published by the Education Review Office | Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga (ERO).
Science education and self-development can be woven into home activities by relating them to learning opportunities, such as using a simple bubble-making experiment to introduce children to patterns, comparisons, and arithmetic.
The hands-on nature of science activities not only makes learning enjoyable but also encourages deeper understanding, as demonstrated through discussion and questioning about the names, associated words, and predictions related to the activity.
