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Science and Math Programs Chapter

By Christine McNew

Introduction

This section features ideas for exciting hands-on science and math activities for children from preschool through elementary school. Many were developed specifically for public library programs with Informal Science Education grants from the National Science Foundation (see http://researchfunding.duke.edu/detail.asp?OppID=620).

“A growing body of research documents the power of informal learning experiences to spark curiosity and engage interest in the sciences during school years and throughout a lifetime.”

National Science Teachers Association
www.nsta.org/about/positions/informal.aspx

All of the science and math activities in this manual are fun, educational experiences and can be easily and inexpensively presented at library programs. Browse through the links and choose activities to incorporate into your library programs. Or, begin a weekly or monthly science club at your library!

The science and math activities support public libraries in becoming partners in education. They are aligned with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and with national educational standards. Browse these links to the TEKS and read the standards supported by the science and math activities.

Visit the PBS Parents’ Child Development Tracker for a description of developmentally appropriate math and science knowledge and skills for children from 1 to 9. Just select an age from 1 to 9 and click on Mathematics and Science. Thisis a link you will want to share with parents!

The science and math activities provide inquiry based learning experiences. What is inquiry based learning? Inquiry based learning is a fun, child-centered, active, hands-on learning approach that encourages questioning, critical thinking, and problem solving.

“Inquiry is an approach to learning that involves a process of exploring the natural or material world, that leads to asking questions and making discoveries in the search for new understandings.”

Exploratorium Institute for Inquiry
www.exploratorium.edu/IFI/about/inquiry.html

Many of the science and math activities are based on children’s picture books and include recommendations for additional related titles. All of the programs have literature connections. Gather, display, and book talk science and math books from your collection during your programs. For lists of picture books with science and math concepts for children from birth to five, visit the Vermont Center for the Book atwww.mothergooseprograms.org/math_science_book_lists.php.

To become a partner with a science center in your community, visit DragonflyTV’s Find a Science Center at http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/gps/gps_localize.php and scroll through this list of Texas science museums, hands-on science centers, natural history museums, zoos, arboretums, aquariums, and children’s museums and find those in your community. Find a science center in your community and invite them to provide programs at your library. Encourage children and families to visit them.

Science and Math Activities for Young Children

Children from 4 to 8 can be scientists or mathematicians this summer at the library. They can detect it, solve it, dig it up, discover it, find it, and explain it through these early math and science activities from the Vermont Center for the Book. Just download the PDF file of What's the BIG Idea? Summer Reading Program Guide and you are on your way. These activities were developed specifically for public librarians with a grant from the National Science Foundation. They are aligned with national education standards.

What's the BIG Idea? Summer Reading Program Guide
www.mothergooseprograms.org/osc/product_info.php?products_id=2373

Sample Activity: Collecting and Sorting

What do young children learn when they collect and sort?

Activity

Collecting gives children an opportunity to choose things that interest them and sort them by their characteristics. Ask the children about their collections and invite them to describe them. Then, provide the children with a bowl of buttons of various shapes, colors, and sizes. Let the children sort the buttons by attribute, such as all buttons that are gold, all buttons that are square, all buttons that have four holes, etc.

Introduce these PBS Kids Curious George activities during your storytimes.

Have fun with these Games and Activities from ZOOM, the PBS Kids Show Science!

Science and Math Activities for Elementary School Children

Explore space and planetary science with these exciting activities and lessons from the Lunar and Planetary Institute designed specifically for librarians! All are aligned with National Science Education Standards for children.

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