Ahh, the lazy days of summer. 

Time to sleep in. 

Time to sit back and relax by the pool with a cool drink. 

Time to watch every bit of information you worked so hard to share with your students just wash away like waves at the beach. 

Umm...not so much.

Three Tips for Summer Science

We have all heard of the summer slip and we work hard to prevent it. This month, we want to share with you three tips for incorporating science into your summer. So that you can guarantee your students will be fresh and ready for when school begins once more!

Tip #1. Observe, Observe, Observe

The summer weather is a perfect time to get out and explore nature while building your students' observation skills. You can have them look at the environment around them and note the plants and animals they see. They can observe the movement and behaviors of the animals in the area, such as what trees the birds like to visit the most. 

The students can see the changes and differences in the nature around them as they pay attention to it. Through these observations, the students will learn a lot about nature and a lot about science. If you want to learn more about nature study, check out:

• What is Nature Study?
• Nature Study Interview with Cindy West

Tip #2. Do the Really Big Experiments

If you don’t have a regular schedule during the summer, this is a great time to work on the really big experiments. You know, the ones that you put off doing during the year, like building a volcano or firing of a rocket. Not only will you be able to check the project off the list, but the student will also learn about science in the process.

The other option would be to have the students work on their science fair project during the summer. Although this would limit their presentation options, they will still have a successful learning experience. Check out the following series to learn more about doing a science fair project:

• Ep. 1 - How to pick your science fair project topic (Hint: Start with something interesting.)
• Ep. 2 - Every great project includes a bit of research, now it's your turn
• Ep. 3 - Now you are ready to make an educated guess, or rather how to formulate your hypothesis
• Ep. 4 - Roll up your sleeves, it is time to design your science fair project experiment!
• Ep. 5 - Dust off your lab coat and goggles, it is time to get dirty and do your experiment!
• Ep. 6 - Time to figure out what is what - how to analyze your data
• Ep. 7 - Invite the grandparents and neighbors to see a superb science fair presentation

Tip #3. Read, Read, Read

Summer is the perfect time for students to immerse themselves in a science book. It’s also an ideal time to catch up on all the reading you missed throughout the year. Many libraries have a summer reading program that rewards students for the books they read during the season. Who’s to say that you can’t require that your students read at least one science book for their prize? 

If you would like to learn more about what makes up a living book or see our summer-long science adventure, check out:

• What are Living Books?
• Our Science Adventure Series Perfect for Summer

Summer Science Tips in a Nutshell

You can incorporate a bit of science into your summer through observations, big experiments, and living books. Doing so will ensure that what your students learned this past year will not magically disappear out of their minds!