Child-directed science (and teaching engineering CM-style to early elementary??)

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • October 9, 2013 at 3:27 am
    vikingkirken
    Participant

    Hi all,

    We’ve been slowly working through God’s Design for Science, The World of Animals this fall.  We like it ok, but the kids are sounding an awful lot like their mama and begging to do science with “building things”–like bridges, machines, etc.  Their favorite science shows are How It’s Made, Modern Marvels, anything like that.  And every chance he gets, my 5yo son is poring over books with diagrams of mechanical models.  Unfortunately, while he enjoys the ones we have, the reading level is way over his head.

    My hope is to continue nature study outings at least once a month (and they play outside nearly every afternoon)… read/narrate through GDfS whenever there are no science projects in the works… and add in child/delight-directed science time.   I just have to figure how to accommodate the engineering obsession!

    Anyone have ideas for CM-friendly resources (books, kits, ideas) to teach a 5yo and 7yo about engineering?  There is such an emphasis on nature study with CM, but I’d really love to engage my kids in their passions as well.

    Lori

    October 9, 2013 at 11:17 am
    nebby
    Participant

    Well, I think just giving them access to materials without a lot of direction would be CM. I am thinking something like an erector set that you can really build things with. And maybe a challenge like “build me a bridge.”

    Nebby

    http://www.lettersfromnebby.wordpress.com

    October 9, 2013 at 12:06 pm
    RobinP
    Participant

    I agree with Nebby. My now 23yo son is finishing up his engineering degree. He was always consumed with physics/engineering things from early on. We just made those things available to him and pretty much got out of the way. He built lots with knex early on. They don’t make knex the way they used to but he had many sets including the educators sets. He also enjoyed building bridges out of various things as I recall, testing to see what was most stable. It has been a long time since those days but I just mainly let his interest direct how far he wanted to go…masterly inactivity CM called it. Living biographies of great scientists might be a good addition as well for inspiration. Have fun!

    October 9, 2013 at 2:39 pm
    gcbsmommy
    Participant

    This may not be what you are looking for, but when my son was younger, he took a K’nex engineering class through a homeschool group. You could do this at home. They have several different projects and he loved it. Here is a sample link for middle/upper elementary but there are simpler ones:

    http://www.knex.com/Shop/product.php?productid=17191

    Also, I have friends whose children take lego engineering classes though a co-op. And then they also have STEM classes. I know co-ops or classes outside the home may not be what you are looking for, but I just thought I would throw this in. And sorry if it has already been mentioned!

    October 9, 2013 at 4:51 pm
    Shannon
    Participant

    Let me recommend something different. My 7yo sons are starting projects on Curiosity Machine (curiositymachine.org). One is doing a fluid Rube Goldberg design and the other a bird’s beak. You are assigned an on-line mentor who gives feedback on the design and you continue working it until it does exactly as you want.

    To brag, they just hosted a Gravity Design Challenge and my daughter won first prize. We were flown to NYC for two nights in a very fancy hotel and tickets to see the premier of Gravity. It was so extravagant and so much fun!

    October 9, 2013 at 6:14 pm
    cherylramirez
    Participant

    @shannon: would you considering posting the link to the curiostiy website that show’s your dd’s design on youtube? i watched it (congratulations to her!) and my ds was inspired by her success!

    October 9, 2013 at 8:03 pm
    vikingkirken
    Participant

    That website is AWESOME. I already can’t wait to try some of that stuff with the kids. I think part of my struggle with science is that the kiddos and I are all horribly bored by “pure” science. But if it’s integrated with applied science and STEM projects, we’re totally in!

    And, I think I need to add Knex to the Christmas list…!

    Thanks for the ideas!

    October 9, 2013 at 8:30 pm
    Shannon
    Participant

    Select K’nex is on sale (50% off) TODAY ONLY at Amazon. Also some other building toys. Here is the link with the info:

    http://moneysavingmom.com/2013/10/amazon-com-knex-tinkertoy-lincoln-log-sets-50-off-today-only.html

    And here is the link to Eiley’s project:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtqMmabcQUE

    I’m glad to hear other kids are excited by Eiley’s project and Curiosity Machine in general!

Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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