Summer Learning: Math and Science Exploration
School is out and children are ready to play, but even in these fun summer months, the learning does not have to stop! Afterall, parents are their children’s first teacher. Even as kids grow, parents can still help them cultivate habits of learning. We can especially model for our children how to become lifelong math and science explorers, even as we walk Barton Creek Greenbelt, wade in St. Edwards Springs or travel through our neighborhood paths. Here are a few ideas for some restful, summer learning.
Find patterns at the Capitol
When on a nature hike, practice finding patterns! While patterns can be found anywhere, leaves and their form and shape can be an easy place to start. Can you and your children find leaves that are alike? What makes certain leaves similar to others? What makes them different? As a good place to start, the grounds of the Texas Capitol have a Trail of Trees with a wide variety to explore. Texas Capitol Trail of Trees
Explore direction at the Austin Nature and Science Center
Practice using the sun to explore time and direction at the front of the Austin Nature and Science Center. An outdoor human sundial allows children to use their shadow and become part of the measuring of time. On a sunny day, start your adventure at the sundial. What lines do you see? What angles do you see? Where is the sun? What is a shadow? What might have caused it? When you return later in the day, what happened to your shadow? The science center has many other wonderful things to explore, too! Austin Nature and Science Center
Take measure at Mount Bonnell
Start by hiking to the tallest point in Austin city limits at Mount Bonnell. How high is this “mountain”? What can your family see? What is sea level? As you explore other landmarks in Austin, how do these other landmarks compare to the height of Mount Bonnell? How far are other landmarks from Mount Bonnell? Can your family make a map of the city, showing these relationships? Mount Bonnell
Practice counting at a Purple Martin party
While Austin has many birds that can be observed throughout the year, in the summer the city regularly welcomes hundreds of thousands of Purple Martins who give an impressive show in the evenings as they settle to roost. The Travis Audubon society often hosts special gatherings to showcase this impressive flight. Can you count how many birds you see? Can you estimate how many there might be? What shapes and movement do you see? What might cause the birds to do this? In recent years, the birds have gathered just north of Austin at La Frontera Village. Later in the summer, consider also watching Brazilian Free-Tailed bats at Congress Avenue Bridge. What is a bird? What is a bat? How is their flight similar to a bird’s? How is it different? Travis Audubon Society Austin Bats
Gather records all around town
Keeping nature journals can help us watch and attend closely to what we see. We quit glancing at nature and really observe it. At the beginning of the summer months, maybe let your child choose a notebook, a set of pencils and markers, some tape and maybe even a polaroid camera or some watercolors. Put it all in a bag or backpack and take it on each adventure. Can they draw what they see? Can they keep simple calculations and notes? Good scientists take good notes!
These are just a few ideas to get going! Central Texas is full of natural opportunities for finding patterns, exploring direction, taking measure, practicing counting and gathering records. Give your children your attention and the wonder of nature, and they might find this corner of the world a most delightful place to learn right alongside you.
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How to Ask Good Questions Like Aristotle…
Ancient Greek philosopher, scientist and mathematician Aristotle liked to ask good questions. Over time, Aristotle has been recognized as coming up with some common kinds of questions. Take a simple form of them on the trail with you, and help your kids learn to think deeply!
Definition questions
What is this? What kind of thing is it?
Comparison questions
How is this thing like other things? How is it different?
Relationship questions
What might cause this? What happened before I saw this thing? What might cause change to this thing I’m observing? What would be the potential result?
Circumstance questions
What else is nearby? What is far from this thing?
Testimony questions
What does an expert have to say about this thing? What natural, mathematical or scientific laws might be pertinent to this thing?
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How to Begin
If your child is not used to nature walks, be patient with yourself and them! It can take a little while to set aside a busy world and really pay attention to the great outdoors.
- Don’t hesitate to keep it short! It is just fine to start with small increments of 10-15 minutes. When they ask for more, you can add a little time.
- Enjoy the cool of the day. It’s Texas in the summer, y’all. If your family can handle early hours, beat the crowd and go for a morning hike. Don’t be afraid to wait until the end of the day, too.
- Find water. If possible, choose routes with a little spring or flowing creek. Getting feet wet can make all the difference.
- Take friends! Most children will find it extra fun to find their friends to come along.
- Bring plenty of provisions. Water and snacks and snacks and water can make any hike a little more fun.
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