Science Unschooling Style: Strewing

Using Anatomy Models

Coined by Sandra Dodd, “strewing” is a favorite method of unschoolers, which describes the habit of leaving interesting materials for students to find and make their own explorations. It could be as simple as books or interesting learning games and materials or more complex such as specific scientific equipment.

Science materials are something that are really great to strew around the house, because scientific explorations, by their nature, lend themselves to self-exploration. The scientific method is based on the process of discovery.

What kind of science-related things are good for stewing? 

When the boys were really young, I would make them little "chemistry sets" with small jars of things such as salt, sugar, flour, baking soda,  rice, vinegar, water and food coloring. A lot of independent explorations were made in playing with them.

The Magnet

Magnets and various things to test them on are also great for young students.

Learning About Lenses

A set of lenses and mirrors are also wonderful things to just leave out.

 So are colored paddles used to learn about color mixing.

Store-bought science kits can also be fun to leave out or to give as birthday or holiday presents. So are anatomy models.

Snap-Circuits

When the students get a bit older, a good quality microscope and advanced chemistry sets are good choices.

Last, but not least, lots and lots of books!

Make sure you leave out lots of notebooks or paper and sketching materials so that all their explorations can be recorded, should they want to.

Some Good Unschooling Blogs:
Homeschool Girls
Unschool RULES