This article describes a group of second and third graders who began the school year 83% below reading proficiency. On surveys given at the beginning of the year, parents/guardians stated reading was the biggest concern for their child, and students stated they enjoyed hands-on activities, especially during science. To increase comprehension and…

Family science nights are fantastic, but planning one can be overwhelming, especially when one considers the already overloaded schedule of a classroom teacher. To overcome this challenge, the authors--colleagues with a mutual love of science--developed a much simpler annual event called "Lab With Dad." The purpose was for one target age group of…

On the Saturday before Halloween, hundreds of students and their parents went from booth to booth participating in science activities at an annual Fall Festival and Learning Fair. The Fall Festival and Learning Fair is a valuable annual partnership where culturally relevant teaching engages each child in hands-on, standards-based science lessons.…

Family Math and Science Nights engage students and parents in active investigations tied to the curriculum in a fun, informal environment. Through this program, families actively explore math and science ideas, discover together through guided inquiry, and apply their discoveries to solve a problem at the end. All activities are hands-on, use…

Presents tips and suggestions for parents that can make a family nature walk more rewarding and help parents encourage their children to look closer at the natural world. (JRH)

Describes the Parents' Science Lab where parent volunteers lead a homeroom of 25-30 students through a hands-on science activity. Reports that this program has given parents personal experience with activity-based science and mathematics and made them positive and enthusiastic advocates for the cause of good science education. (JRH)

Presents suggestions for parents who wish to continue their children's science education at home. (JRH)

Presents two activities, the "Super Bubble" that challenges students and parents to blow the biggest bubbles and "For Fingers Only" that asks them to duplicate a pattern of blocks using only the sense of touch. (JRH)

Describes the Evening Science program, a science enrichment program for K-6 students and their parents where students and parents engage in problem-solving activities that encourage science learning for the whole family. (JRH)

Describes the Hands On Science Outreach (HOSO) program which aims to provide informal science experiences for preschool and elementary-age children. Discusses participants views of the program. (JRH)

Describes the SCI-FEST (Science Collaborative Initiative-Festival to Enhance Science and Technology) where community members worked together to put on a successful science festival for the whole family. Discusses the planning and implementation of the festival which included nearly 100 hands-on science activities, skits, puppet shows, and…

Describes the EQUALS Family Science Program, a national program designed to promote equity in mathematics, science, and technology, in which the goal is to make children and parents more scientifically literate by doing science investigations together. Presents activities that teachers can use to promote scientific literacy and cultural diversity.…

Discusses the use of answering machines to teach astronomy to students while they are home. Provides directions on prelesson instruction; how to prepare the taped lessons; parent involvement; and lesson implementation. (MDH)

Describes an activity where teams of parents and children work together to solve problems involving matchbox-sized race cars. The teams collect, record, and analyze data; measure distances in metric; and explore concepts related to mass, friction, and force. (PR)

Suggestions are given for encouraging parents to participate in their children's science studies, at home and at school. Several sample lessons illustrate the kinds of experiments that require only inexpensive supplies which parents can provide. (SA)