Kidmin and Science

I love using science as an object lesson in Kid’s Ministry, there is definitely a right way to do it though.  Before I get into that I want to mention the importance of using an object while teaching.

I always want some sort of object in my hand every time I am teaching, it helps in 3 ways. Number 1; it keeps the kids attention. They want to know why I am holding something, how my object has something to do with God, and they also instantly relate to the lesson. Number 2; when they leave every time they see that object, they remember the lesson. One time I taught on how our past can keep us from our future. I used a bicycle to reinforce my point. I asked the kids, “What happens when I am riding my bike and I look backwards?” They answered, “You crash!” I went on to explain that if we keep looking at our past we miss what’s in front of us and can get in trouble or miss a really cool blessing. The next week I had a parent come up to me and tell me about how their child went out to ride their bike but before they did they told them how they know to look forward so that they don’t crash. Just like the need to look to the future so they don’t miss God’s blessing and can look out for trouble. The 3^rd reason to use an object when you teach is it helps show the kids that they can find God in everything. Science can make an interesting object lesson.

There are some basic rules I use when using science in my lesson.

Rule number 1; Remember to teach the Bible, not how the experiment worked. 

Don’t tell them all about how vinegar and baking soda cause a chemical reaction causing gas and the gas inflates a balloon, let the schools do that. Instead talk about how even though we can’t see the gas the two cause the balloon to blow up. So when we pray even though we can’t always see our prayers working, they are!

Rule number 2: Safety first (it makes kids wake up).

 Every time I teach a science lesson I have 3 objects with me. One a fire extinguisher, even if I have nothing with fire going on. Once the kids see the fire extinguisher they sit up and think “oh cool I wonder what’s about to happen.” Two a lab coat, all scientists have one. Also when I put it on I go from teacher Dorinda, to Scientist Dorinda! Three goggles, again even if I don’t need them. It has the same effect as the fire extinguisher. Something cool is about to happen if you need goggles.

Rule number 3: Don’t be afraid to make a mess. 

All science experiments are messy that’s the fun. Kids are told at home not to make messes, so when they come to church where a mess could happen at anytime, it makes it an experience instead of just another lesson. Just know you will have to clean it up. I do things to try and make clean up a little easier. I have a plastic podium that’s easy to wipe down and I put a shower curtain on the floor that I can hose off. Other than that I let the mess go everywhere (when I do mentos and coke, I do take it outside. Cleaning ceilings not so easy).

Rule number 4: Practice.

 It’s really embarrassing and distracting when an experiment goes wrong. Although sometimes even after practicing it can still go wrong. Practicing helps you get the timing of the lesson, and helps make sure you get the end result that you want. Always, Always practice.

There are 3 resources that I use to find all of my science lessons.

1.       Steve Spangler http://www.stevespangler.com/experiments/

2.       Science Bob http://www.sciencebob.com/experiments/index.php

3.       Pinterest  http://pinterest.com

Here is a few lesson ideas you can use with science experiments

Color Changing Liquid: Science Bob:  Sometimes when waiting on God you can feel like nothing is happening but all of a sudden something exciting happens! Matthew 7:7

Paperclip float: Science Bob: Story of Peter walking on Water. Matthew 14:22

Elephant Goo: Science Bob: Luke 6:38 for tithe or even Matthew 6:19

Water Balloon in a bottle: Steve Spangler: Luke 6:38

Burning Money: Steve Spangler: Malachi 3:11

Have fun making new ways for science and scripture to combine. I would give you more but, this is already a long post. We don't really want to make it longer. Maybe later I will post a part 2. I would like to do a video of me using a science experiment as a object lesson with my Kidmin class. It's fun to watch the kid's expressions.

Have you ever used science to teach kids??