Sustainability Science For Kids Subscriptions From Science.Teacher.Mom

Looking to bring fun and educational science activities into your home? Read on to learn more about this high school science teacher who is turning the magic of science into exciting science projects and activities for kids delivered to your doorstep.

A couple of years ago, I was watching The Great Invisible, a documentary about the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill off the southern coast of the United States in the Gulf of Mexico. As we watched, my 4-year-old son joined us and began asking questions about what happened and why it happened.

As a science teacher, I love these curious questions. I view them as an invitation to explore the science behind their curiosity and do activities to learn more. However, I also know it can be challenging to dive into complicated and tragic events with young children in a way that’s approachable and engaging.

I wanted to teach my son why the oil spill happened yet stay positive and solution-oriented in our conversation. I chose to focus on how scientists are helping to clean the Earth and make our planet a healthier place to live. Specifically, we dove into learning about renewable energy as an alternative to oil rigs to prevent such accidents in the future.

Becoming Kid Scientists Through Hands-On Science Experiments

That day, both of my sons and I explored three types of renewable energy: solar energy, wind energy, and static energy. I created different sustainability science experiments to bring to life the principles behind these various types of energy.

Solar Power For Kids

First, we made a solar bug using a kit from Brown Dog Gadgets. It was a hit!

Solar panels work by converting solar energy (energy from the sun) into electricity. Every time my sons put the bugs in the sun, the bugs started to move. When they moved the bugs out of the sun, however, the bugs stopped. They tested out different types of shades from leaves, umbrellas, or their hands to see how the shade impacted the energy source and corresponding movement of the solar bug.

Wind Energy For Kids

Next, we explored wind energy. My sons are fascinated by objects that move, so it was a delight to watch this activity capture their attention.

To watch wind energy in action, we built wind lifts from TeacherGeek and small DIY windmills from paper and a straw. The boys had a blast (and learned far more than they realized in the process).

A wind lift is a turbine that uses wind energy to lift a load. As the wind speed changed, we watched the wind turbines spin at different rates. Using these simple tools, my boys could see how changes in the energy source impact an object’s movement and energy use.

The explorations continued all day. Eventually, we turned to my hairdryer to add more wind speed. You could do the same if you’re trying out this sustainability science experiment on a calm weather day.

Both of my sons especially loved that they could play with the renewable energy activities for weeks on end, and we didn’t have to worry about running out of battery.

Science Kits Make Sustainability Science Accessible To Young Learners

These and similar sustainability science experiments for kids give us a platform to discuss topics like how renewable energy works, why renewable energy is important, and how clean energy fits into our life at a level that’s right for their age and developmental capabilities.

Over the last several years, as my boys have gotten older, I’ve continued to create many science experiments for kids that we do together in our kitchen. Friends started asking for materials to do the experiments with their kids, and eventually, this grew into Science Teacher Mom.

At-Home Science Kits For Young Learners

Today, Science.Teacher.Mom delivers high-quality and engaging STEM Kits for teachers, homeschooling parents, and parents looking to enhance learning for their children. Primarily, we offer school-year-based subscriptions through which subscribers receive materials and worksheets for educational and hands-on science experiments delivered to their door each month. We also offer some individual STEM kits for those not ready for a subscription or just interested in a particular topic.

The renewable energy activities my sons and I did together the day we watched the Deep Horizon oil spill documentary became the foundation of our Energy Sources Science Pack. Using this activity book and experiment guide, children can build a wind lift to lift up a load, tinker with a solar bug, and harness water for a hydroelectricity model.

We hope that Science.Teacher.Mom can help parents, teachers, and caregivers provide many entry points to STEM education. Our Energy Source Science Pack, for example, opens kids’ eyes to a variety of renewable energy solutions, a step toward providing Clean Energy for all (United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #7).

As we move toward a more sustainable future, we need a host of innovative ideas and thought leaders (United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #9) who can lead us toward new technologies and enhanced systems that are both better for the planet and for our communities. STEM education can help young scientists flourish and birth ideas for a more equitable and environmentally-friendly future.

We’d love to have you learn more about Science.Teacher.Mom and check out one of our science packs or sign up for our subscription boxes. We cover new ideas each month and help bring STEM to life in your home. All the materials you need to complete each experiment or activity are included in the box. To learn more, head to our site. If you have questions, you can always reach out via Instagram @science.teacher.mom to send us a DM or send us an email.

Be sure to check us out and help the young scientists in your home flourish.

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