National Inventor’s Day is a great time to celebrate the inventors that have helped to shape the world that we live in. However, it is also the perfect time to celebrate the inventors of the future. This generation of children and young adults are going to make great waves as they grow and discover more about the world. These ten tips will help you to support the young inventor in your life so you can easily allow them to boost their knowledge without breaking the bank to do so. These tips will help keep young minds engaged and excited about learning, while also allowing you to take part in the experience.
1. Encourage Questions
One of the easiest and cheapest things that you can do is encourage questions whenever you can. If your child is asking about something, don’t shut them down, even if they’re on the fiftieth why the question of the day. Instead of dismissing questions, answer them if you can. If you can’t then you might consider looking up the information or going on a search for the information with your child. As they grow older, then it is important to offer them the tools needed to help find the information they need. From going to the library to looking up factual information online, this can be one of the best resources to help them thrive.
2. Science Experiments
When it comes to encouraging inventors, offering science experiments is one of the best ways to get active minds running. Whether you’re homeschooling or just trying to keep kids busy on weekends, there are tons of fun activities you can bring to your child’s life. You might start by looking around online for ideas that might spark your child’s interests. There are actually a lot of great projects you can do with items that can be found around the house. However, if your student is more advanced then you might want to branch out. There are lots of amazing kits you can find online that can help further your child’s knowledge in the field of their interest while also inspiring them to create their own experiments. You might also allow your child to take things apart in the name of science. This is one of the best things any young inventor can do in order to gain a better understanding of the things around them.
3. Documentaries
Documentaries can be a very powerful tool when it comes to your child’s education in the field of science. There are so many great documentaries to choose from that talk about just about any topic your child could possibly be interested in. Some documentaries will cover inventions, while others will help children learn the science needed to get to where they need to be. Of course, there are also many documentaries that are also based on inventors. This can help children find the inspiration they need to fully reach their goals in life.
4. Online Classes
With everything currently going on in the world, there are numerous online classes that you can enroll your child in. Many of these classes are actually specified in the field of your child’s interests which can help them feel happier about their field of choice. You can easily find classes that are age-appropriate as well, which can make it much easier for you to truly immerse your child in the world of science and inventions even before they learn to read. Some of these classes are even based around some of your child’s favorite toys like LEGOs. Although many of these classes cover everything your child needs, occasionally you might have to purchase extra kits. However, most of the time, you’ll have a class that is cheap and a short duration, which will suit your budget and your child’s attention span.
5. Science Kits
There are so many educational kits to take in now that you might actually have a hard time deciding which is best for your child. So, when you look for a science kit, you might take quite a few things into consideration before you shop. One of the most important things to consider is the age group of the kit. However, for older children, you might also consider if it will be challenging enough for your child if they tend to be advanced in the field of science. Some kits will also come as a subscription, which may or may not work for you. Looking at reviews will also help you to choose which kits will work best for you.
6. Field Trips
Field trips are one of the best ways for your child to get a hands-on learning experience in a stimulating environment. Field trips can take place in a manner of ways. For instance, you can go to a science museum or any museum that offers information on inventions or inventors from the past. You can also check out aviation museums or anything that is inspired by innovation. Nature is also a great way to enjoy inspiration for inventors, especially if you pose problems that they can solve while they’re out in nature. If self-isolation restrictions are keeping you at home then branch out. You can explore a number of museums at home. Some locations even give out supply bags to students, so they can do fun projects at home. Often, you’ll have to pay shipping for these items, and some museums might also charge a small fee for some of the supplies.
7. Trips to the Library
With anything, the library is a great resource for anyone. Young inventors are definitely going to get a lot out of a trip to the library. There, you will be able to find amazing books on science and inventors. You may even find books with projects inside that will help your child explore many different projects to help them learn and grow. There are also many books about inventors, which can also help children find role models that help them achieve their dreams. Some libraries also offer STEM based classes, which will allow your child to meet other young scientists while learning and enjoying what it means to be an inventor.
8. Recycle
Your recycling can be one of the best resources for a young inventor. Even though it might look like garbage, your child’s creativity will transform it into space suits, robots, and anything else that comes to their little minds. They may also start to transform these materials into small projects that actually function. Your recycling can also be electronics that no longer work. Allowing children to take them apart and explore how they function is a great way to help them learn and grow in their roles as inventors.
9. Competitions
If your child is already working towards becoming an inventor, then encourage them to join as many competitions as they possibly can. Competitions might revolve around children being given a series of instructions then asked to design something from there, or it might allow your child to showcase an invention that they have already made. Some competitions will even include battling robots or using coding to race machines. There’s a lot of fun to be had with competitions, but if your child stands out in these competitions, they can earn cash prizes as well as scholarships.
10. Scholarships
One of the most important things you can help your child with is scholarships. Whether if you’re looking to help finance college or you’re trying to help your child get into a special camp, scholarships can be a great way to make an inventor feel whole. There are lots of resources when it comes to scholarships though, so you won’t have to dig deep to find what you’re looking for. There are many ways your inventor can get a scholarship too. Some are based on grades, some will require essays, and some will even require your student to show off an invention. So, make sure you are prepared to help put in a little work as your inventor works towards making dreams come true.
Without inventors, we wouldn’t have so many of the luxuries or conveniences that we have in life. So National Inventor’s Day is a great way to celebrate those that are looking to join this honorable profession. This holiday might become one of your favorite days to celebrate, especially as you watch the inventor in your life advance.
