For those that follow my articles you know I love experiments. Here is my latest:

In April 2007, I assembled ten parents are in a classroom. I ask the moms and dads to raise their hands if they feel their elementary child or children are “deficient” in Science. I had no takers. Not a hand in sight. I then asked the moms and dads to raise their hands if any of them had a science deficiency. All but one mom (she was a medical doctor) raised their hands.

Five years earlier in January 2002 an article was published in the Education Leadership Journal reporting that “students who start middle and high school with a severe deficiency in Science (around 70%) rarely catch up through traditional remediation and they have small hope of succeeding in advance courses for which they are under prepared.”

That study was reported in 2002. Five years later and not only have we failed to improve Science learning…we have decreased it! Major companies in the United States are importing workers to fill a gaping hole in the Science workforce. Where are our inventors and engineers?

The fact is today we are no better prepared to educate our children in Science than we were five years ago. Parents, put your hands in the air because chances are your child has a major deficiency in Science. With hit shows like C.S.I., one would think that moms and dads would be all over this area of education but this is just not the case.

Parents, there is no more excuse for not knowing the definition of Matter than not knowing the definition of a Noun. Physical change versus chemical change, volume, mass, matter. What’s the matter with knowing a little Science? If we as parents don’t know and don’t care then I ask how in the world could we expect our children to learn?

Step #1: Go to the library with your children and check out some Science books. There are wonderful children books on food Science, soda Science, Science using balloons, balls, goo, magnets, and my personal favorite bugs!

Step #2: Read the books with your children and don’t be afraid to experiment. There is no right and wrong with Science. It is all about figuring out what is going on even if it is going wrong.

Step #3: There are inexpensive and easy Science kits, games and books sold just about everywhere online. Thames & Kosmos, Insect Lore, Safari LDT, Cranium, Lucon Kids are just a few companies that manufacture and sell some of the best Science related products for kids. We are not the only seller of Science products and we don’t carry every product under the sun but we do have a nice selection for just about any family.

Stop by www.CoolBugStuff.com and if you place an order for your children during this month, CoolBugStuff.com will send you a free gift just to get the Science ball rolling. Type “No Science Deficiency” in the comment section when ordering.