Fancy switching your kids onto science over the Easter holidays?
The Royal Institution of Great Britain – best known for its Christmas science lectures – has launched a new series of science experiment videos.
The launch follows on from 10 physics-focused films released last summer. This new series focuses on chemistry.
The ExpeRimental series is aimed at kids aged four to nine, with the experiments specifically designed to be easy for science newbies – both child and parent alike. All the activities require only common household objects or cheap and easy-to-buy materials.
All 10 films from the second series (along with the 10 films from the first) are now live and free to watch on the Royal Institution’s website.
Comedian Rufus Hound is among the presenters of the series; watch his episode below.
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Physics teacher and filmmaker Alom Shaha, who helped developed the project, said: “ExpeRimental films encourage viewers to go several steps further than simply carrying out the activity. As well as covering basic scientific facts, ExpeRimental focuses on developing scientific skills like observation, prediction and how to conduct a fair test.
“Worksheets help parents to prompt their children to look more closely at what’s happening, to ask questions and to discover the answers for themselves. These films are not just about demonstrating cool scientific phenomena and providing an ‘explanation’ but about encouraging children to explore science through play.”
Dr Gail Cardew, Director of Science and Education at the Ri, said: “For 200 years our mission has been to encourage people to think more deeply about the wonders and applications of science and the Royal Institution is often called ‘the home of the science demo’. ExpeRimental embodies this 200 year old mission completely by bringing exciting hands-on science into people’s homes, wherever they may live.
“With ExpeRimental, our ultimate goal is to help parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, teachers, health workers, foster parents and childcare professionals to spark the natural curiosity of children at an early age through play and to set them on a lifelong course of scientific exploration and investigation.”
