| Grade and Age |
Character of Students |
Desirable Presentation Style |
Desirable Activities |
Special Concerns |
gr. K-3
5-8 years |
Full of energy, talkative, curious, learn by senses, short attention span, used to working in groups. |
No lectures, please! Brief, hands-on activities to increase understanding of a few concepts. Avoid written material, be imaginative and flexible. |
You could dress as a field geologist and bring tools for discussion. Devise activities that will involve kids in touching, tasting, smelling, hearing, seeing. |
Let kids know that their sorting, recording, sharing is doing science. They need concrete examples - they haven't developed abstract thinking. Breaks are needed - can't sit for too long. |
gr. 4-7
9-13 years |
Developing reading and basic math skills. Have learned a little about scientific instruments and about community, the environment and ethics. |
Brief formal presentation permissible but focus on hands-on activities and demonstrations. Developing an interest in printed material, a few slides are okay. They love instruments, e.g. stereoscope or microscope. |
If talking about maps, go into school yard and give them a practical demonstration. Relate concepts to their lives, pass around and discuss specimens. |
If you need groupings, have the teacher make them. Kids this age bore easily and should have a fast-paced presentation. Provide simple explanation, but don't baby them. |
gr. 8-9
13-15 years |
Some will act "cool" at the start. Social learning is a major interest and concern of many. Developing attitudes to S&T which will last their lifetimes. |
They can reason inductively and make generalizations. Able to handle advanced concepts but still need simple explanations. Can handle short formal presentations but you must get them involved. |
They can sit and listen longer than younger children but to prevent restlessness they require a fast-paced, exciting presentation. |
Hormones are becoming active. Some classes appear difficult to turn on but it's important you do so -these kids are at the crossroads. |
| gr. 10-1216-18 years |
They have developed complex thinking skills. However, career decisions may have been made and class will vary greatly in level of interest in S&T. |
Lecture type presentations are suitable if the topic is exciting. Leave at least 25% of time for discussion. |
Charts, graphs, experimental demonstrations and simple explanations of "cutting edge" concepts. |
High interest in career opportunities and job-related activities. Be prepared for questions you can't answer and be prepared to say "I don't know". |
