Keep the Curiosity Going: Easy Ways to Keep Up with Science This Summer

Junior High

Jun 11

For many students, summer is a chance to relax, travel, play outside, and take a break from homework. But science doesn't have to stop when school does! Some of the best science learning happens through curiosity, experimentation, and exploring the world around us.

Start with questions!

Encourage your child to ask "why?" throughout the summer.

Examples:

Why does ice melt faster in some places than others?
Why do fireworks make different colors?
How do birds know where to migrate?
Why does sunscreen help protect our skin?

Looking up answers together can spark great conversations and build scientific thinking skills.

Turn everyday activities into science experiments.

Kitchen Science:

Make slime, bake cookies, or mix vinegar and baking soda to explore chemical reactions.

Nature Investigations:

Observe insects, identify plants, or track the phases of the moon.

Engineering Challenges:

Build the tallest paper tower, design a bridge from popsicle sticks, or create a marble run.

Weather Watch:

Keep a simple journal of temperatures, clouds, and rainfall.

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Explore with Mark Rober

If your child enjoys videos, former NASA engineer and science creator Mark Rober is a fantastic summer resource. His projects combine humor, creativity, and real science concepts in a way that is engaging for students.

Mark Rober's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@MarkRober

Watch entertaining science and engineering videos.

CrunchLabs:
https://www.crunchlabs.com/

Hands-on STEM activities and engineering projects designed for kids.
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Keep it light and fun!

The goal isn't to recreate school at home. Instead, focus on helping students stay curious. A few minutes of exploration, reading, building, or experimenting each week can help maintain scientific thinking and make the transition back to school even smoother in the fall.