Life is a Challenge

Several years ago my children were really into the Fetch with Ruff Ruffman show on PBS.  The host, Ruff, would give the contestants “science challenges” to complete.  It was always entertaining to watch how the contestants went about completing their challenge.  At home we would often complete our own science challenges downloaded from the PBS Kids website http://www.pbs.org/parents/fetch/activities/act/index.html .

One day during that same time period I was pushing my middle child, who was always very particular about the way everything was done, on the swing.  She kept pointing out what I was doing wrong, and giving me very detailed instructions on exactly how she wanted to be pushed.  Finally, exasperated, I said, “If you are going to be difficult I am not going to push you at all.”  She replied, shocked, “But mom, this is your challenge.”

Turns out she was not trying to be difficult, just trying to make up a challenge for me.  Her statement made me do a reality check…I did choose to be a mom and strive to be a good one.  And nothing we strive for is without its challenges.  Quite often now when parenting throws its curveballs I try to put on a Ruff Ruffman smile and remind myself, “This is your challenge.”

Animals Winged and Wet

Birds of prey are pretty interesting to learn about and see up close as Museum visitors had the chance to do this Past Friday, August 2.  New England Reptile and Raptor was here showing different birds of prey like the Barn Owl and Turkey Vulture while sharing some really interesting facts.  

Did you know:

• The Great Horned Owl is called the tiger of the woodlands because of its strength.  
• The gut of a vulture is so vile that most bacteria and disease can’t survive!
• The ear openings on an owl aren't symmetrical.
• Owls have 7 more vertebrae in their necks allowing them to be able to turn their heads around further than us.
• Turkey vultures can smell something dead from 12 miles away and are the only American bird with a sense of smell.
• The Paragon Falcon is the fastest diving bird and can reach speeds over 200 miles an hour!

These were some of the many interesting facts that we learned Friday.

Touch Tanks was also at the Museum on Friday providing a chance for kids to interact with different types of water creatures.  There were snails, crabs, oysters and hermit crabs for them to touch and hold and have fun learning about.   

Some cool information that we learned:

• 1 oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day (that’s a lot of water!)
• When a crab outgrows its shell is sheds its old shell which is called molting 
• Green crabs are actually an invasive species.   
• There is seaweed in toothpaste.
• Crabs are plankton in their larvae stage.
• Hermit crabs use their antennae to feel and also to smell a little.

Everything that the kids interacted with was gathered from the Cape and will be returned to the Cape.

Did you miss these events or maybe your kid enjoyed them so much that they wanted to learn more?  If so, take them to the library where they’ll be able find books to teach them more or you can take them outside for some hands on exploration.  You can take them to a local conservation for the chance to see some birds of prey or join a group such as the Junior Bird Club or participate in programs like Birding by Van.  To discover more about the ocean and its inhabitants you can take them to the beach to see what they can find. 

Animals Winged and Wet wasn't the Museums last summer drop-in!  There are still drop-in days every Thursday and Friday up to the end of August.  For more information on Museum drop-in days you can click here.

Encouraging Science Exploration

There’s a lot in the world that is unknown to kids, nature, space and more importantly the sciences.  This doesn’t keep them from imagining, exploring, observing and asking questions.  Explaining science to kids seems intimidating but it doesn’t need to be.  Teaching your kid about science can be done in small tasks and they can have fun while learning about science too.

Kids are always willing to ask questions and learn.  They’re eager to explore and understand the world around them; encourage their curiosity.  Ask them “what” questions about their surroundings and daily life.  What happens to the grass when it rains?  What is faster, walking or running?  Asking “what” questions cause children to make observations.

Encourage kids to problem solve by answering their own questions.  For instance, have the kids observe the stars on a clear night.  Help them understand that stars are like our sun but they’re very far away.  By using a concept that kids already understand to teach a new concept you are helping them make connections.  The next time there is a cloudy night, have them problem solve as to why the stars are “missing”.  Even if they’re wrong, they’re learning to question things and then use logic, knowledge and reason to come to a conclusion based on what they know.  

Science can be physical too.  Kids can learn about science while having fun being active.  For instance, children can learn about their body and physics while kicking a ball and not even realize that they’re learning by doing.  They learn that in order to move their leg and foot to kick, they have to use their knee.  By using their foot to kick the ball they learn that the ball requires a force to make it move.  Kids are understanding science without even knowing that they’re interacting with science.

Though science seems complicated and full of long detailed explanations, it can be simplified to help kids understand.  Science can be observing and experimenting, making predictions, sharing discoveries, asking questions and wondering how things work.  It can be solving problems, designing, creating and building things that work.  It takes small activities and questions to help kids understand and learn about science.

If you’re looking to bring more science into your child’s life, there are some upcoming events at the museum full of science activities.

PBS Science

Friday, July 19

Have fun with Ruff Ruffman, host of FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman and Curious George on PBS, and try some fun, hands-on science experiments inspired by his show.

Birds of Prey

Friday, August 2 at 10am

Meet and learn about hawks, owls and vultures in this program presented by New England Reptile and Raptor. Their goal is to dispel myths and teach kids scientific facts about wildlife.  NE Reptile and Raptor use live reptiles and birds of prey for illustrative purposes to focus on educating children about reptiles and birds and their biology, physiology, and function in the ecosystem.

For more information on events that involve science click here.  For some more science fun stop by the FECTH! Lab and you might find a fun experimenting waiting!

Websites that you can go to for science activities to do at home with everyday items are Curious George or Peep and the Big Wide World if your child is pre-school age and FETCH! or Zoom if your child is older.