One way to turn a school activity into a family event is through the annual science projects competition. Science projects competitions are held annually through out schools districts across the United States. They are judged on originality, practicality, ingenuity, research and conclusiveness. The subject areas are wide open to choose from. Physical, Math and Computers, Environmental, Behavioral and Social are a few of the Science's subject areas to choose from. You can even choose areas that seem off the wall, like Music. For instances a student can construct a science project questioning the high and low range of a singing voice.
For it to be successful, the student must have their family participate in coming up with an idea, planning, constructing and evaluating the science projects. A major problem many run into is choosing a project that is too complicated for the age of their child. A science project for students in the 2nd grade should be different than those in the 6th grade in its presentation and complexity. A computer science assignment for a 3rd grader cannot be the same for those in 8th grade. Remember the student has to be able to explain and answer questions on their presentation. A complicated project will overwhelm, frustrate and confuse the younger student.
Once you choose your project, sit down as a family and develop a flow plan. Let the questions and suggestions flow, with the student acting as a "Project Manager". Let them choose what they like and the method of how to get there. Once a plan is develop, the family can assist with the physical construction of the model, participate as test subjects, etc. Now the hard part, let the student evaluate and come to the conclusion of what the scientific data shows. After the student is completed with the project and preparing it for the big event, have everyone sit around one night and pepper the student with questions on the project.
When the big day comes for the project to be officially display, you will notice a sense of pride amongst all of the family. They will all feel they have played a part in the project. But most of all, the student will be proud and happy knowing their family was there to assist them when needed for their science projects.
