Children are naturally curious. Looking for ways to keep young minds busy and active this summer? Science projects can be a fun way for families to spend time together. Click on the links below for some great ideas. If your youth is not interested in energy, toys and robotics, please see our previous posts for additional possibilities.
Catch the Wind, Harness the Sun: 22 Super-Charged Science Projects for Kids. Gives youth, teachers, and parents 22 exciting activities for using sun and wind power to produce and play with renewable energy. Ages 8 to 13 will experience environmental science while fighting global climate change. Projects range from a solar campfire to the Pedal Power bicycle that charges a 12-volt battery for powering electronic devices.
Science Toy Maker. This non-commercial, teacher-created site is for people who like to roll up their sleeves and make mysterious, kinetic, Do-It-Yourself science projects that entice scientific investigation. Science toy maker is a resource for inspired kids, parents, science fair participants, and citizen scientists everywhere.
Free Lesson Plans on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. These free downloadable lesson plans include topics on energy efficiency, solar energy, and wind energy. The hands-on, inquiry-based lessons are targeted for upper elementary, middle school, and high school levels. The lessons challenge students to conduct classroom energy audits, interpret wind maps to assess potential wind turbine sites, power a radio using solar panels, and more!
Junk Drawer Robotics. This program is the first of three Robotics-based project curriculums that will be launched early this fall with curriculum, starter kits and training. This curriculum introduces robotics to youth ages 9 to 18 with beginner, intermediate and advanced skill levels. Young people will develop decision-making and critical thinking skills, and implement an understanding of the scientific and engineering design processes as they build real and virtual robots.
