Science problems for kids to solve

[lulalu]

Science has been a difficult subject to get around to in our school. 4 years of homeschooling and still have struggled to figure out science. We have done a lot of reading and nature focused things so far. 

I don't know if anything like this is out there or really what I am looking for. But I would love to have a book with problems for the student to work though. Not easy elementary experiments. Like some kind of "problem" to try several ways to figure out. 

I can't remember anything I really learned in elementary science that I wouldn't have easily learned through life. We tried Rod and Staff textbook, and although I did like it, I realized a textbook just was too boring for this age. My goal is for ds to have opportunity to think through problems and solutions through trial and error. I feel like that is a better use of his brain during these elementary years. I also find it important to learn about nature through observation during these years too. We spend a lot of time on hikes and looking at nature to accomplish this. 

So does anyone know of anything out there like this? Any resources to help me better think through the role of science in elementary? What are your goals? 

[Lori D.]

Critical Thinking Press:
- Developing Critical Thinking Through Science -- gr. 1-3
- Science Detective -- gr. 3-6
- Sciencewise -- gr. 4-8


Also, perhaps some of the TOPS units, which are guided hands-on that ask questions to help the student figure out overall processes.


re: role of science in elementary
For me, in the K-5 ages, science was about exposure to facts and information across many areas + hands-on to experiment and make connections on their own, all with the overarching goal of keeping alive an interest and love of learning, exploring, and trying stuff out. I did not use formal science programs/texts until high school.

[alisha]

I've had my boys do things like: Given old newspapers and a roll of masking tape, build a freestanding structure to hold a basketball at the height of your waist for at least a minute. Or Given 1 piece of 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper, figure out how to have 3 people stand only touching the paper. Or build a paper airplane that carries the most quarters and glides at least 10 feet.

If these types of things are what you're looking for, search for STEM challenges for kids or Engineering challenges for kids. And if you're on Pinterest, the same searches will yield a bunch of options. If not, just ignore this. 🙂

[lulalu]

41 minutes ago, Lori D. said:

Critical Thinking Press:
- Developing Critical Thinking Through Science -- gr. 1-3
- Science Detective -- gr. 3-6
- Sciencewise -- gr. 4-8


Also, perhaps some of the TOPS units, which are guided hands-on that ask questions to help the student figure out overall processes.


re: role of science in elementary
For me, in the K-5 ages, science was about exposure to facts and information across many areas + hands-on to experiment and make connections on their own, all with the overarching goal of keeping alive an interest and love of learning, exploring, and trying stuff out. I did not use formal science programs/texts until high school.

Thanks- these look good. I really don't want a workbook. But I could use it without requiring filling it out. 

[lulalu]

15 minutes ago, alisha said:

I've had my boys do things like: Given old newspapers and a roll of masking tape, build a freestanding structure to hold a basketball at the height of your waist for at least a minute. Or Given 1 piece of 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper, figure out how to have 3 people stand only touching the paper. Or build a paper airplane that carries the most quarters and glides at least 10 feet.

If these types of things are what you're looking for, search for STEM challenges for kids or Engineering challenges for kids. And if you're on Pinterest, the same searches will yield a bunch of options. If not, just ignore this. 🙂

Yes, maybe that is what I am thinking of. I hate using pinterest too many links never lead anywhere 🤣

Is there a book of challenges listed? 

[lulalu]

I feel like I remember a youtube video years ago that showed a classroom learning science through problem solving. I may be remembering wrong. But I think the whole class was working on electricity and had to work together to problem solve. 

Anyone know what I am thinking of? 

[Lori D.]

14 hours ago, lulalu said:

Is there a book of challenges listed? 

?? maybe Science Skills: A Problem Solving Activities Book (Peacock)

You might also read through these 2 big multi-year threads "Scientific Inquiry", and, "Science Activities: Setting Goals and Evaluating Usefulness" by lewelma (Ruth in NZ), explaining her process of scientific process with her DSs. (Also look for her posts in the thread "Science...again...just shoot me now", as she further explains their process for project-based science.)

You might also look into the possibility of a Science Fair organization for your region. We have a really good one in my area that has advisors who guide students through project-based science learning. Lego Robotics clubs/competitions are another group / outside the home idea.

Lots of random (lol) resources, in hopes something might fall within your parameters:
? IXL Science standards -- might provide a few ideas for you
? PBS Zoom -- challenges
? 4-H Junk Drawer Robotics -- curriculum
? Snap Circuits -- kit
? Kelvin Educational -- kits
? Gonzo Gizmos: Projects & Devices to Channel Your Inner Geek -- book
? Backyard Ballistics -- book of engineering projectile devices
? Jason Project -- middle school level science program
? watch David Macauley's Building Big series + use free pdf of the activity guide - project challenges in bridges, domes, etc.
? Makerspace STEM Challenge - challenge cards
? Raspberry Pi projects - electronic projects
? Make, Do
? Tinker Crate or Maker Crate or Eureka Crate
? K'Nex = K'Nex Construction Challenges; K'Nex Challenges - free downloads - engineering challenges with K'Nex
? Lego = Mindstorms  - robotics
? Kerbal Space Program -- solo-working software in which you design/build/test space vehicles to achieve different missions

Edited February 4, 2021 by Lori D.

[Lori D.]

I will just mention that at the elementary ages, many children "don't know what they don't know", and don't always know how to formulate questions or problem-solve to come up with solutions without some guidance and some foundational background information on the topic to give them a little push to even know where to begin with experimenting and trying out possible solutions... 😉

So I would certainly continue with your reading to provide information and context, but you might also find that a little specific background will yield more success and less frustration with the specific problem or project you want him to experiment with, than just tossing him a box of supplies and say "build a structure"... 😉 

Edited February 4, 2021 by Lori D.

[lulalu]

Thanks Lori you are always so full of resources! 

Yes, I do plan to keep reading. We did all the Let's Read and Find Out. He is now past that level with science reading. We have The Way We Work and How Things Work Now, that he is slowly reading through. Any other good books to have on hand? 

[Not_a_Number]

I don't have a book, but I think engineering problems can be great for this sort of age. Like, how do we build something? 

We also use math for this, because in math, it's clearer what we know and what we don't. I've found that DD8 wasn't ready for actual experiments until recently, although we're planning to start on that. 

I think @lewelma did some very cool stuff with science for this age, if I remember correctly. 

Edited February 4, 2021 by Not_a_Number

[EKS]

Keep in mind that it took humans thousands of years to understand the natural world from the ground up.  I can't imagine a workbook aimed at elementary aged students will contain anything other than trivial or contrived problems especially if it doesn't assume specific knowledge on the part of the student.

Real scientific problems are by nature difficult to solve and almost always require years of study and training to even make it into the ballpark.

But maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're looking for.

 

[EKS]

2 minutes ago, Not_a_Number said:

I don't have a book, but I think engineering problems can be great for this sort of age. Like, how do we build something? 

We also use math for this, because in math, it's clearer what we know and what we don't. I've found that DD8 wasn't ready for actual experiments until recently, although we're planning to start on that. 

This would be more realistic.  Solving nontrivial (for the student) math problems is a way to develop the sort of thinking scientists use without requiring the extreme amount of background knowledge that is necessary to actually engage scientific questions properly.

Engineering problems also have this quality.

[lulalu]

11 minutes ago, EKS said:

Keep in mind that it took humans thousands of years to understand the natural world from the ground up.  I can't imagine a workbook aimed at elementary aged students will contain anything other than trivial or contrived problems especially if it doesn't assume specific knowledge on the part of the student.

Real scientific problems are by nature difficult to solve and almost always require years of study and training to even make it into the ballpark.

But maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're looking for.

 

I don't really want a workbook. More something we can do hands on, but not like a lot of the elementary experiments out there. But I don't think we will be tackling real problems scientists tackle. More along the lines of science things kids can learn through trial and error, or hands on learning. Most of the stuff I see out there for this age group is more demonstration based rather than hands on discovery. 

Maybe I am not explaining it well. I don't know exactly what I am looking for. I know better what I don't want when I see it. 

[Not_a_Number]

11 minutes ago, EKS said:

This would be more realistic.  Solving nontrivial (for the student) math problems is a way to develop the sort of thinking scientists use without requiring the extreme amount of background knowledge that is necessary to actually engage scientific questions properly.

Engineering problems also have this quality.

Yeah, that's how we wound up with what we're doing. It was really important for me to build this kind of reasoning, but DD8 could do it in math many years before she seemed ready to do it in science. She had a lot more "magical thinking" in science, too -- like "yes, I tried it that way and I saw this happen, but NEXT TIME something different will happen because I'll try really hard!" Somehow, the fact that she could easily verify things in math didn't allow her to behave like that in that context. 

Oh! Programming is excellent for this. And it also leads to self-checking. 

[Lori D.]

3 hours ago, lulalu said:

Thanks Lori you are always so full of resources! 

Yes, I do plan to keep reading. We did all the Let's Read and Find Out. He is now past that level with science reading. We have The Way We Work and How Things Work Now, that he is slowly reading through. Any other good books to have on hand? 

I'd say just use your library a ton and read widely through books on all kinds of science. Watch Science shows. Visit (post-pandemic) Science museums. Specifically for books to possibly buy -- at that 3rd/4th grade age, heavily illustrated Science encyclopedias are great, as kids often enjoy just flipping through and getting exposure to a lot of different topics. But really, any author or series or topic that your child particular connects with -- follow those bunny trails of child interest!

A few science books that were greatly enjoyed here:
books by Gail Gibbons, Seymour Simons, Joanna Cole Magic Schoolbus books
Usborne science books on various topics (varied in reading level)
Dempsey Parr Science Encyclopedia (gr. 3-5 reading level)
Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia (gr. 5-8 reading level)
DK Ultimate Visual Dictionary (gr. 6+ reading level -- but DSs loved this flipping through this one from an early age)

While it may be too much of the set-up experiment/demonstration that you don't want, we found some of the activities in some of the Janice VanCleeve books to be very helpful in visualizing what exactly is going on in a science process -- not to mention the fun factor of hands-on really embeds info for highly visual and/or kinesthetic learners. Our Dss were sometimes self-motivated to experiment and problem solve and go deeper after a more structured demonstration, so for some students, those experiments/demonstrations can make a great springboard into the deeper thinking that you are wanting to foster. And, having kits and supplies readily available makes that sort of self-exploration easier to happen. 😉  Just a thought.

Did you check out the Science Skills: A Problem Solving Activities Book (Peacock) book? I think this could be an excellent resource for a grade 3-5 student, as it provides specific ideas of how to do "trial and error" and experiment to learn, and it also models some great questions to ask yourself and then try and answer through experimenting and observing.

BEST of luck in finding what works best for both of you! Warmest regards, Lori D.

Edited February 4, 2021 by Lori D.

[lewelma]

2 hours ago, Not_a_Number said:

I think @lewelma did some very cool stuff with science for this age, if I remember correctly. 

Yup. That is me. Lots of trial and error projects over here. You should have seen the kite project we did! I've just bumped my threads on scientific inquiry/investigations on the logic board and the general board. They are long and detailed, and show the week by week progression we made trying to answer these questions. 

[Lori D.]

8 hours ago, lewelma said:

Yup. That is me. Lots of trial and error projects over here. You should have seen the kite project we did! I've just bumped my threads on scientific inquiry/investigations on the logic board and the general board. They are long and detailed, and show the week by week progression we made trying to answer these questions. 

I linked your "Scientific Inquiry", plus another older thread in which you discuss your family's science process in my second post up-thread. Just now added your "Science Activities: Setting Goals and Evaluating Usefulness" thread there, too. 😄

SO appreciate you sharing all of that over a long period of time! Warmest regards, Lori D.

Edited February 4, 2021 by Lori D.

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

You might be interested in Destination Imagination Instant Challenges.  Destination Imagination is this whole complicated science competition, but they also have what they call "instant challenges" which are used as mini-projects to get groups working together, solving problems, communicating.  http://www.cre8iowa.org/resources/instant-challenge-library/  You'll want to look at the task-based challenges probably.  

They do have an actual book of challenges. Actually, I think they publish one book per year.  But you can also find many for free just by googling "Instant Challenges".  We have had a ton of fun with these over the years.  Enough fun that I have used them as birthday party games on several occasions.  

[Not_a_Number]

1 minute ago, Monica_in_Switzerland said:

You might be interested in Destination Imagination Instant Challenges.  Destination Imagination is this whole complicated science competition, but they also have what they call "instant challenges" which are used as mini-projects to get groups working together, solving problems, communicating.  http://www.cre8iowa.org/resources/instant-challenge-library/  You'll want to look at the task-based challenges probably.  

They do have an actual book of challenges. Actually, I think they publish one book per year.  But you can also find many for free just by googling "Instant Challenges".  We have had a ton of fun with these over the years.  Enough fun that I have used them as birthday party games on several occasions.  

Ooooh. Thanks! Those look very cool.

[EKS]

11 hours ago, lulalu said:

Maybe I am not explaining it well. I don't know exactly what I am looking for. I know better what I don't want when I see it. 

I'm going to be honest.  I don't think you're going to find anything that doesn't seem stupid.  There are numerous problems to this sort of approach to science, some of which I talked about above.  But perhaps the biggest problem is that when the resource comes up with the research question, it loses authenticity, urgency, something.

If you can pay attention to questions about the world as they come up, and then think as a family about how one would go about answering them in a scientific manner, and then choose one occasionally to actually do this with, that will be a more authentic experience.

So when someone makes a statement like, "You know, it seems like here in Massachusetts, the vast majority of cars are white, black, or silver,"  you could design an experiment to actually test that.

Other things you can do, in addition to @Not_a_Number's good ideas, are to model curiosity yourself, model scientific thinking, make learning about science part of your lifestyle, show respect for scientific expertise, model scientific skepticism (as opposed to radical skepticism), spend lots of time in the natural world, model making careful observations and encourage your children to do the same, that sort of thing.

Edited February 4, 2021 by EKS

[lulalu]

10 hours ago, Lori D. said:

I'd say just use your library a ton and read widely through books on all kinds of science. Watch Science shows. Visit (post-pandemic) Science museums. Specifically for books to possibly buy -- at that 3rd/4th grade age, heavily illustrated Science encyclopedias are great, as kids often enjoy just flipping through and getting exposure to a lot of different topics. But really, any author or series or topic that your child particular connects with -- follow those bunny trails of child interest!

A few science books that were greatly enjoyed here:
books by Gail Gibbons, Seymour Simons, Joanna Cole Magic Schoolbus books
Usborne science books on various topics (varied in reading level)
Dempsey Parr Science Encyclopedia (gr. 3-5 reading level)
Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia (gr. 5-8 reading level)
DK Ultimate Visual Dictionary (gr. 6+ reading level -- but DSs loved this flipping through this one from an early age)

While it may be too much of the set-up experiment/demonstration that you don't want, we found some of the activities in some of the Janice VanCleeve books to be very helpful in visualizing what exactly is going on in a science process -- not to mention the fun factor of hands-on really embeds info for highly visual and/or kinesthetic learners. Our Dss were sometimes self-motivated to experiment and problem solve and go deeper after a more structured demonstration, so for some students, those experiments/demonstrations can make a great springboard into the deeper thinking that you are wanting to foster. And, having kits and supplies readily available makes that sort of self-exploration easier to happen. 😉  Just a thought.

Did you check out the Science Skills: A Problem Solving Activities Book (Peacock) book? I think this could be an excellent resource for a grade 3-5 student, as it provides specific ideas of how to do "trial and error" and experiment to learn, and it also models some great questions to ask yourself and then try and answer through experimenting and observing.

BEST of luck in finding what works best for both of you! Warmest regards, Lori D.

We have no access to a library in English. We live overseas. So I am limited to what I can get. 😭 I wish I had a library. It would save soooo much money. 

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

3 minutes ago, lulalu said:

We have no access to a library in English. We live overseas. So I am limited to what I can get. 😭 I wish I had a library. It would save soooo much money. 

I feel your pain!  😂