As parents, we are constantly working education into our young
children’s everyday lives before they even reach preschool. We count cars,
interpret colors, identify shapes, and so on.
But when it comes to basic science, many parents feel at
a loss. Maybe you didn't get A's in your high school chemistry class. Maybe you
even fell asleep in your college biology class (or dropped science like a dead
weight the minute you got to college).
Fear not! The Hudson Valley offers parents many resources
to help tie science into everyday life — meaning you can still raise your own
miniature Marie Curie or Isaac Newton!
More great places to experience science with your kids
‘Family Mole
Night’
Every October, the chemistry department of SUNY New Paltz
invites children to come “guess and test” when they host a local "FamilyMole Night" that coincides with National Chemistry Week.
During this night, the children run a handful of
experiments with guidance from chemistry students.
Erica Chase-Salerno of New Paltz brought her children,
Declan, 11, and Quinn, 8, last year and said that they had a blast.
“My kids loved making the ice cream with [liquid
nitrogen],” she says. “They got a kick out of the cupcake periodic table. My
son was wowed by flames that change color according to the fuel source. They
appreciated the chance to work with college students, and we love that it's
free!”
Mad Science
If going out to the local college doesn't work, then the
people who work for Mad Science can travel to where you are!
You can hire them for a birthday party, classroom event,
or your children can attend one of their summer camps.
“When children participate in Mad Science activities,
they learn in a way that is exciting and interesting to them,” says Rob Moysey,
a Mad Science instructor. “We teach science in a way that leads children to be
inquisitive about the world around them. As a Mad Scientist, I’m thrilled to
teach children so that they will be excited about science, and I always
encourage them to explore meaningful scientific experiences in the future.”
Shannon Judson of New Windsor says her children, Taryn,
8, and Kiernan, 5, have attended multiple Mad Science shows.
“The program kept the children entertained,” she says. “It
had age appropriate material that fascinates and engages the children from
start to finish. It also allowed the children to participate, which was a great
experience. To see your child take what they learned or something brand new and
allow it to expand their mind is a wonderful experience."
Abigail Puffer, 7, of Tillson loves to visit
Forsyth Nature Center in Kingston. The center has 24 animal exhibits with
educational displays and extensive gardens.
Forsyth Nature
Center
Something a bit more low key can be found at the ForsythNature Center in Kingston, which includes a zoo that openly gives you
suggestions for what to bring to feed the animals.
Kathy and Ed Puffer of Tillson go there often with their daughters
Abigail, 7, and Meredith, 5.
When asked about their experiences there, Ed says, “We
love it because it's not too big, and it’s easy to get around. Oftentimes, the
girls go around a couple of times. They love being close to the animals, and
being able to feed them.”
For more information about their nature programs and
special events, visit forsythnaturecenter.org.
Mid-Hudson
Children’s Museum
“Scientific principles can be applied to anything,” says
Jeanine Petrarca, a preschool teacher from Highland. “In science, you take a
guess and then you test that guess. That is the purest form of science.”
During a recent field trip to the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum
in Poughkeepsie with her 4-year-old daughter Isabella’s class, Petrarka says
she was able to get some great ideas about water cycles to teach her own
preschool class at Pattycake Playhouse in Newburgh.
What to know when looking for an enrichment program for your child
Finding answers
together
Science can be found everywhere, even in your own home or
backyard. From earth science (rocks, minerals, weather) to biology (animals,
plants) to chemistry (cooking, fireworks, cleaners) to physics (astronomy,
movement, electricity, magnetism), the main underlying factor in all of the
branches of science is the critical thinking.
As you’re spending time with your children, ask your
children questions about things that you experience in your everyday life.
For instance, “Why do you think that plant is green?” or “Where
do clouds come from?”
Many people get intimidated by asking these questions
because they themselves don't know the answers. And that's OK. Your children
aren't going to think any less of you for not knowing an answer.
Instead, let them come up with their own hypothesis for
their answer without you giving any input, or start a research notebook with
them where you write down the questions together and look them up at the
computer.
Just teaching them to find answers on their own will put
them that much farther ahead in life.
Jacqueline Bair is
a science enthusiast who lives with her family in Rosendale.