Science Education

Recently, children of all ages have had their learning environments and routines drastically altered. Distance learning, although it has its benefits and allows for social distancing, is not without challenges. Because children thrive on structure, predictability, and schedules, many can struggle in distance learning paradigms. Not only does self-paced learning require children and/or their parents to come up with some type of structure and schedule, it also often requires children to follow-through without much support. Because many caregivers work while children learn from a distance, students without adults to support and enforce can understandably have a more difficult time following through.

Distance learning also presents challenges of focus and engagement. Reasonably, sitting all day in front of a screen or book with little face-to-face interaction can lead to a lack of focus and/or interest in the topics at hand and greatly impacting learning.

While focus, screen-time, self-motivation, and scheduling can often be combatted by planning, age-appropriate skill-building, and other external supports, challenges and barriers remain. Socioeconomic status, family structure, and access to supplies and materials continue to impact distance learners of all ages. Challenges of supplies and technology are especially relevant for children who are distance learning science and math concepts.

How to distance learn with Science

Science lessons in a school setting are typically structured to include theoretical learning followed by practical implementation: reading through and performing written exercises, and then a more hands-on experience implementing the knowledge and theories. Learning outcomes are amplified when students have the opportunity to apply what they have learned, use their hands, and interact with theories in meaningful ways.

A lack of supplies and technology when distance learning science concepts can not only hinder the ability to learn and grasp concepts, but can also negatively impede upon the hands-on fun and excitement that a child or adolescent would likely experience in a classroom or lab. Watching videos or seeing photos of the outcome of an experiment or the application of a theory, is not nearly the same as watching it in real-time after having participated in the process.

Much of distance learning does not allow for the practical implementation of knowledge. This means that not only are children not getting the opportunity to deepen their mastery and comprehension, but they are also probably less interested and focused. Staring at screens and textbooks all day can drain a student’s ability to stay concentrated and invested in their learnings. Also, testing knowledge and skills through written or multiple-choice paradigms, does not allow students the opportunity to display the practical knowledge gained, nor does it allow for teachers to test in this way. 

One way to allow students to safely master and interact with concepts and theories while distance-learning, is to supply them with the materials to carry out experiments and their procedures at home.

How Science Kits Can Help

Science kits for distance learning allow students to carry out procedurally accurate experiments and put their knowledge to the test. Students from elementary to college have the opportunity to use their hands and experience the same fun and excitement that they would in a classroom or lab setting with science kits. A break from the monotony of screen-time and theoretical work would likely be welcome from both students and teachers.

Science kits also allow instructors to test their students knowledge practically, and walk their students through important concepts in a manner which allows for more in-depth understanding. LabPro offers distance learning science kits that are affordable, hands-on, and safe. These kits range widely in difficulty and topic of concept, and allow students to see real-world applications of the science their learning such as with the Forensic Chemistry of Blood-typing kit. The Elephant Toothpaste kit allows students to learn about the effect a catalyst has on a chemical reaction in a fun and safe manner.

Giving students something to look forward to at the end of a lesson can help them to stay motivated and engaged, while improving their understanding of concepts and procedures by bringing their knowledge to life. LabPro offers over 15 different distance learning science kits, giving teachers and parents the opportunity to deepen their students’ knowledge, bring some fun and interaction back into the learning space, and potentially restore a sense of normalcy for all.

Lab Pro offers a large variety of distance learning science kits. For over 40 years, Lab Pro Inc. has been committed to delivering the highest quality chemicals, lab equipment, distance learning kits, lab supplies, and cleanroom PPE apparel to medical device companies and laboratories worldwide. To learn more, visit the biggest Lab Supply showroom in California, or contact us online or at 888-452-2776.