One of the best tools for helping middles school and high school science teachers teach the subject of science is through science kits and science modules. In this day of worldwide access to companies that make these, there is no reason not to include them within the classroom.
These give a great three-dimensial view of science to the students, to where they can see, touch, and feel the science at work. It is one thing to teach from a book and to lecture. Sure, a teacher can give a good lecture, or pull images up on a Smart Board, but it is quite another to put their hands on an actual kit or module to help see and understand it in person in three dimensions. Take a survey of your classes and find out if the students would be interested in more hands on learning through science lab time. The overwhelming vote would be a big fat yes. Students love this kind of interaction in the classroom.
Examples of science kits include using actual materials and not just models, to experience it in its true form. An applied science concept kit may include materials to see how crystals mineralize. Or to look closely at mineral structure. Students can learn how to classify rocks through hands on kit. Other examples are tests that check for phosphates in water, or nitrates in water or how to see all the pollution contained in water. There are even gas kits, to figure out the composition of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and oxygen. How about a modeling fossil fuel kit? These kits will help grow an interest in the students perhaps to carry with them through their college years, as they become a scientist. You never know what will spark their attention!
Even middle school grades can enjoy learning from science kits. These students are at the right age to start training them for proper lab behavior, teaching them about lab equipment and safety. By the time they hit high school this is stuff they will need to know. By teaching it in middle school they have a good jump start to an exciting time in high school science. There are kits that test blood types, kits that train on how to do ABO-Rh blood typing. Middle school students learn about genetics and there are kits that explain the DNA model, genetics concepts, normal mitosis, and human genetics. There are kits that explain all about plants and soil, offering fun soil experiments, learning about decomposition and photosynthesis.
No matter what kind of science kit is being demonstrated to the class, you can be sure that at least one, if not all, students will be very interested and attentive in the lesson. Teaching through tools other than simply book learning is a great means to help young minds to retain the knowledge and develop a keen interest in the science field too. There are many choices in kits and modules for science class available, focusing on all science classes from middle school through high school including chemistry and physics including STEM.
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