Just like any other subject such as Maths or English, science is a major part of our everyday lives. But, have you ever stopped to consider why? Beyond facts and figures; it offers many opportunities that can help develop our reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of the world around us.
In today’s article, we’ll take a closer look at the importance of science and why embracing it from an early age can be incredibly rewarding, both in terms of academic growth and preparing children for a world full of innovation and discovery!
What is science?
Before we discuss how great science is for children, let’s break down what it actually is. To put it simply, science is a systematic way of learning how everything on Earth (and across the entire universe) works through observation, experimentation, and analysis.
A brief history of science
Since the dawn of time, humans have had a natural inclination towards science. The ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilisations, for example, conducted detailed astronomical observations of the stars, sun, and moon to predict seasonal changes and guide their agricultural practices.
Later, groundbreaking discoveries of the 17th century marked the birth of modern science, with pioneers like Galileo and Isaac Newton shaping our understanding of physics, motion, and the cosmos. This momentum continued into the 20th century, with the rise of genomics like DNA sequencing and computers paving the way for automation and artificial intelligence.
The big three disciplines
Today, science continues to push boundaries. In UK schools, it is typically broken down into three core disciplines for students:
- Biology: Biology is the study of life in all its forms, from the tiniest microbe to the largest whale. It examines how living organisms function, interact with their environment, and evolve over time by analysing cells, ecosystems, animal behaviour and more.
- Chemistry: Chemistry is the study of matter—what it’s made of, its properties, how it changes, and how it interacts with energy by observing atoms, molecules and chemical reactions.
- Physics: Physics involves the study of the fundamental forces and energy that govern our universe, from motion and gravity to light electricity and magnetism. It’s the basic laws that underlie all natural phenomena.
Why science matters
Science aims to answer life’s biggest questions by combining mathematics and technology—two of the key pillars of STEM— to gather evidence and discover ways we can enhance the quality of life.
Through this approach, we’re able to develop innovative solutions like renewable energy, disease-fighting medicines, and advanced tools that tackle everything from climate change to space exploration. Moreover, it helps policymakers make informed decisions about how best to utilise resources, address global issues and make advancements in communication, infrastructure, leisure and many other industries.
For children, science isn’t just a subject in school; it’s a way of understanding life itself, encouraging them to observe, create, think critically, and solve problems. These are skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world for kids to become proactive citizens in their communities. Looking ahead, future generations will depend on scientific knowledge to adapt and innovate, equipping the leaders of tomorrow to make a real difference.
Ultimately, science is about expanding our knowledge and improving our lives. It’s a continuous process of discovery and something everyone can participate in, even kids!
Five benefits of learning science
Clearly, science plays a vital role in nearly every aspect of our lives, far beyond the classroom. It’s not just for aspiring astronauts or lab coat-wearing geniuses! With this in mind, here are some of the most important advantages of studying science from an early age:
1. Sparks a love of learning
One of the most profound benefits of learning science for children is that it sparks a genuine love of learning. Science is fascinating because it answers the “why” and “how” questions that pop up constantly. For example, “why is the sky blue?” Well, when sunlight enters the atmosphere, it scatters in all directions. Blue light, with its shorter waves, scatters more than other colours, giving us the brilliant blue sky we see every day!
When children explore scientific concepts through hands-on activities like stargazing or growing their own plants, it makes learning more enjoyable and stimulating, helping kids approach STEM subjects with enthusiasm. A great example of this is famous scientist, Albert Einstein. As a young boy, he was given a pocket compass by his father and was amazed at how the needle always pointed north, sparking his curiosity about scientific inquiry and invisible forces.
2. Develops logical reasoning
Science education also helps children develop logical reasoning skills. By teaching kids how to examine, hypothesise, test, and analyse, these scientific processes encourage them to think critically, approach problems methodically, and identify patterns of cause and effect.
For instance, when learning basic cooking skills, kids follow a series of steps in a recipe. Throughout, they measure ingredients, adjust heat levels, and observe how different elements interact with each other, such as yeast making dough rise, or egg whites transforming into fluffy meringue when whipped.
Or, when making their own bristlebot on a Cool Science camp, campers must consider how each part—the motor, battery, and bristles—works together to create movement. As they assemble it, they experiment with how adjustments affect the robot’s motion, learning through trial and error.
3. Improves retention
Scientific learning often requires kids to remember complex terms, processes, and data, which can sometimes be overwhelming or difficult to grasp. The dynamic nature of science experiments helps reinforce this knowledge in an interactive way, thus, improving retention and focus.
Let’s say children are tasked with creating a miniature volcano. Children get to witness an explosive chemical reaction in action, rather than simply memorising information from a textbook. It’s a memorable way of understanding and retaining key scientific concepts like acid-base reactions and the formation of gases through a live demonstration.
4. Teaches teamwork
Another key benefit of learning science for children is the emphasis on teamwork. Many scientific activities are designed to be carried out in groups, encouraging collaboration and communication among peers.
Whether it’s working together to explore propulsion by building a rocket with baking soda and vinegar or investigating how sunlight, water, and soil types affect plant growth, these hands-on activities provide valuable learning experiences for kids. They learn to delegate tasks, think critically to solve problems, and appreciate different perspectives—all essential skills for working well with others in school and beyond.
5. Prepares them for future success
As scientific knowledge becomes increasingly integral to various industries, having a strong grasp of the subject from an early age can open the door to a wide range of career opportunities—setting the stage for future academic and professional success.
Kids fascinated by space might dream of becoming astrophysicists or aerospace engineers, while those who love animals could pursue careers in veterinary medicine or wildlife conservation. Budding chemists might develop new medicines in their careers, and tech-savvy kids could explore robotics or computer science. No matter their interest, a passion for science can lead to endless possibilities in the future!
How can you help your child learn science?
Now, you might be wondering how to best support your child’s science learning at home. While school provides the essential facts and knowledge needed for classwork and exams, you can help bring science to life in many different ways. Here’s how to do just that:
- Fuel their curiosity: Kids are naturally inquisitive, always asking “why” or “how” things work. Take the opportunity to feed their curiosity and answer their questions together. If they ask how plants grow, look up information and videos online (i.e. Nat Geo Kids, Explorify, BBC Bitesize etc.), or visit your local library. Showing them how to seek answers will also instil good research habits and critical thinking.
- Make it hands-on: Children learn best by doing, so why not try and make science a fun, interactive experience? Create simple experiments at home using everyday objects, like rubbing a balloon on your hair or clothing to generate static electricity. Or, buy a science kit. There are plenty to choose from, including crystal-growing sets, slime labs, ant farms, and even DIY robotics kits.
- Visit science museums and centres: There’s no better way to inspire a love for science than by visiting museums, planetariums, zoos, and nature centres. Whether it’s seeing a dinosaur skeleton up close at the Natural History Museum in London (open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:50 PM), or experimenting with physics at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham (open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM), these places turn learning science for children into an adventure!
- Show them that science is everywhere: Point out the science behind everyday items, tasks, and natural phenomena. Explain how condensation forms on a cold window, or go outside and observe how bees collect nectar and pollinate flowers. Even something as simple as mixing oil and water in a glass can be a mini-lesson on density. The more kids see science in action, the more they’ll appreciate its role.
By making science accessible, you can help develop their passion for discovery. Who knows? You might just inspire the next great scientist!
Discover the wonders of science at a PGL kids’ camp!
If you’re looking for an exciting and immersive way for your child to learn the importance of science, consider enrolling them on a Cool Science Camp with PGL!
We combine the very best of PGL multi-activity at three of our most popular Kids’ Camp centres (Marchants Hill, Newby Wiske Hall or Wiltshire Science Camp in Liddington) with insane science workshops provided by our partner, Fun Science.
Discover static electricity and circuits, create the perfect slime recipe, and design and code your very own Bristle Bot to take home—plus countless other exciting activities!
Get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today to see how we can help or search and book their next adventure.
