jessie5 Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 Hi, My son is very bright but hasn't been interested in science projects or nature study so far. He is fascinated by things like watching a Nova show about the multiverse theory, Brain Games, Myth Busters (although he wasn't very interested in doing the experiments from their book), Fetch... Anyways, last year we did lots of chemistry experiments but I felt like he was just humoring me by doing them and not all that interested. Science should be super fun and absorbing, so I'd like to get it right this year. I asked him if he'd rather mix a couple things together and have them change, or run a light bulb with a lemon and he said the latter. So I was thinking about getting him a physics course with weekly experiments. But now that I'm reading my question I wonder if I should be trying to find him interesting videos about theoretical something? Any suggestions appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverMoon Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 Perhaps Backyard Ballistics is more what you're looking for. Not a physics curriculum, but The New Way Things Work by David Macauley could be fun to work through. Bite-size Physics by Science Jim is an easy to use curriculum with frequent experiments. My kids have found science super interesting without constant experiments, fwiw. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 DD liked the Cartoon Guide to physics and the Manga guide to physics. Both are a little technical, but the cartoon format helps. She also liked Why Things Work and Life of Fred Physics (we did a lot of little experiments based on LoF.). We also did the Disney Imagineering video series and Knex Rollercoasters as part of a co-op while doing physics at home, which overlapped nicely (I think both could be done at home) and a physics of toys class at Mad Science, which DD enjoyed (but I don't know how much she learned from that she hadn't already gotten in other ways). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GThomas Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 My s10 does occasional experiments but he gets so much out of watching videos and TV Shows (all that has been mentioned and Science of Stupid). He is happy enough with that for now. We are also doing Elemental Science for the Logic Stage (middle school) and we do an experiment a week. It's not super exciting but he likes it well enough as well as I let him watch tons of videos on science topics he chooses -- from all you mentioned to ASAP Science and more (can't remember all of them!). And he has most of the books everyone mentioned. Backyard Ballistics is his new favorite but mom and dad are not too motivated to go get all those materials (that are not so easy to find where we live). When he was younger, we subscribed to SuperChargedScience. We did a ton of experiments in the beginning. He found those fun. After a while he just started watching all the video experiments. I couldn't keep up with getting all the stuff we needed for the experiments and he was happy to just watch and go through the program faster. They have lots of physics stuff in there. While we were in the States this summer, we picked up a Lego car kit and he chose a bunch of motors and stuff. He plans to build the car and then add on and turn it into a remote control car. And he got the Radio Shack Make It Robotics Starter Kit. Pricey stuff but we only get to the US once every 2 years. Oh and he might like this! Last year, my ds took a FREE online class about physics "How Things Work" from University of Virginia. Here's the link: https://www.coursera.org/learn/how-things-work Designed for non-science students, this course is a practical introduction to physics and science in everyday life. It considers objects from the world around us, identifying and exploring the scientific concepts upon which they're based. Because it starts with objects and looks within them for science, it is the reverse of a traditional physics class. Instead of the usual principle-driven physics class, How Things Work is case-study physics. In this pilot semester of How Things Work, we will explore the basic laws of motion in the context of six familiar objects or activities: (1) Skating, (2) Falling Balls, (3) Ramps, (4) Seesaws, (5) Wheels, and (6) Bumper Cars. Despite their simplicity, these topics will bring us in contact with some of the most important concepts in physics, including inertia, energy, and momentum. The videos are entertaining and my son would laugh out loud occasionally. @dmmetler: where can one find the Disney Imagineering videos? Have fun! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Every now and then Disney Education runs sales and you can buy the DVD set (same with Bill Nye). Some libraries carry them as well, so it may be worth it to check there. They're non-sequential. http://www.dep-store.com/The-Science-Of-Disney-Imagineering-Trajectory-p/77d56vl00.htm According to the website, there's a code now that reduces the videos to $10 each. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessie5 Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 Perhaps Backyard Ballistics is more what you're looking for. Not a physics curriculum, but The New Way Things Work by David Macauley could be fun to work through. Bite-size Physics by Science Jim is an easy to use curriculum with frequent experiments. My kids have found science super interesting without constant experiments, fwiw. Backyard Ballistics looks fantastic! And Science Jim has some great stuff on his facebook page. Thank you SilverMoon! I'd never seen those before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessie5 Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 DD liked the Cartoon Guide to physics and the Manga guide to physics. Both are a little technical, but the cartoon format helps. She also liked Why Things Work and Life of Fred Physics (we did a lot of little experiments based on LoF.). We also did the Disney Imagineering video series and Knex Rollercoasters as part of a co-op while doing physics at home, which overlapped nicely (I think both could be done at home) and a physics of toys class at Mad Science, which DD enjoyed (but I don't know how much she learned from that she hadn't already gotten in other ways). Thank you dmmetler! Cartoon Guide to Physics and the Manga Guide to Physics both look very fun, thank you for these and all of your other suggestions as well! I'm checking them out, and they look great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessie5 Posted September 7, 2015 Author Share Posted September 7, 2015 My s10 does occasional experiments but he gets so much out of watching videos and TV Shows (all that has been mentioned and Science of Stupid). He is happy enough with that for now. We are also doing Elemental Science for the Logic Stage (middle school) and we do an experiment a week. It's not super exciting but he likes it well enough as well as I let him watch tons of videos on science topics he chooses -- from all you mentioned to ASAP Science and more (can't remember all of them!). And he has most of the books everyone mentioned. Backyard Ballistics is his new favorite but mom and dad are not too motivated to go get all those materials (that are not so easy to find where we live). When he was younger, we subscribed to SuperChargedScience. We did a ton of experiments in the beginning. He found those fun. After a while he just started watching all the video experiments. I couldn't keep up with getting all the stuff we needed for the experiments and he was happy to just watch and go through the program faster. They have lots of physics stuff in there. While we were in the States this summer, we picked up a Lego car kit and he chose a bunch of motors and stuff. He plans to build the car and then add on and turn it into a remote control car. And he got the Radio Shack Make It Robotics Starter Kit. Pricey stuff but we only get to the US once every 2 years. Oh and he might like this! Last year, my ds took a FREE online class about physics "How Things Work" from University of Virginia. Here's the link: https://www.coursera.org/learn/how-things-work Designed for non-science students, this course is a practical introduction to physics and science in everyday life. It considers objects from the world around us, identifying and exploring the scientific concepts upon which they're based. Because it starts with objects and looks within them for science, it is the reverse of a traditional physics class. Instead of the usual principle-driven physics class, How Things Work is case-study physics. In this pilot semester of How Things Work, we will explore the basic laws of motion in the context of six familiar objects or activities: (1) Skating, (2) Falling Balls, (3) Ramps, (4) Seesaws, (5) Wheels, and (6) Bumper Cars. Despite their simplicity, these topics will bring us in contact with some of the most important concepts in physics, including inertia, energy, and momentum. The videos are entertaining and my son would laugh out loud occasionally. @dmmetler: where can one find the Disney Imagineering videos? Have fun! Thank you so much GThomas! I'm looking into all these things, and the class looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 My sons enjoyed Teaching Physics with Toys. I like that it has a lot of levels within each chapter, so you can tailor it to the individual child very easily. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 Boston Science Museum had a series of children's activity books, which are *excellent* imo. Really good explanations, simple experiments. Out of print, seem to cost about 1 cent. Highly, highly recommend. Also like Janice VanCleave books, good experiments. http://www.amazon.com/Balloons-Boston-Childrens-Museum-Activity/dp/0688083250/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1441646155&sr=1-1&keywords=Boston+science+museum+balloons 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausmumof3 Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 We had fun with roller coaster physics though the science is fairly basic. It almost sounds like your son is more interested in theory than practical? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 Snap Circuits? My 8yo is really liking them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThoughtfulMama Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Yes, I was also going to suggest Snap Circuits. They are fun and very kid-durable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuNaturel Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Bill Nye the Science Guy videos should be a great compliment. My daughter loves doing the experiments that he suggests. Whenever I'm teaching a subject in science, I check if Bill Nye has episodes covering it to help bring the concept to life. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SarahMcDonnell Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Add our vote for Ms Aurora and Supercharged Science. Outrageous Acts of Science is much enjoyed, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black-eyed Suzan Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 We've only watched the first hour so far, but my 9 and 5 year olds are enjoying the (overtly Christian) Physics 101 dvd. Their Chemistry 101 set sparked a love for chemistry and the periodic table in my (now) 9 year old last year. There are printable materials included on the discs, but I've never looked at them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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