Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Exploring Tide Pools...

One of the best ways to make science real for all Kid Scientists, is to find it wherever you are.  You don't have to be able to identify all the organisms you see, just encourage the curiosity of your Kid Scientist as he explores.  Ask him questions about what he is looking at and get in there for a look also.
The boys spent about an hour looking at the tide pools.  I made sure to set a couple of guidelines for keeping the animals they saw safe...
  • Don't chase animals around the pool
  • Nudge shells gently...if something is living inside (it's firmly attached) leave it alone
  • If you pick anything up, ask for help to make sure you handle it gently
  • Watch where you're walking so that you don't step on any animals or slip and fall
Kyle and Connar saw a huge crab scurrying around on the side of the rocks.  We admired it's camouflage, in fact I wasn't even able to get a good photo.
 Aiden found several Hermit Crabs and giggled as they ran over his hands.  We were very careful to hold them close to the water we found them in and not to drop them.
Since we were in Maui, we spent lots of time looking at the volcanic rock and speculating about how the lava flows would have looked.

What science have you found...on vacation or in your own backyard?

2 Science Moms have commented...:

Darlene said...

I grew up in Maine and was fascinated by tidal pools. I'm a little sad for my kids that they don't have that experience. But like you say, find science where you are - we do have a pond with lots of interesting creatures!

Becky said...

Love this post. We are lucky enough to spend tons of time in every season exploring our local tide pools (and forests and backyard). It's amazing to me how much kids absorb and learn and focus when given the space and tools, like field guides and observational equipment and guiding adults.