NURTURES Family Engagement connects classroom science learning with meaningful family experiences – intentionally designed to help families explore, discuss, and make sense of science together.
NURTURES Family Engagement connects classroom science with meaningful at-home and community experiences – giving families the tools to explore, discuss, and make sense of the world together.
Grounded in research and aligned with science and engineering practices, these experiences support students in developing curiosity, communication, and confidence in STEM through intentionally designed experiences.
When families engage in science together, students strengthen their understanding not only in science, but also in literacy and math through discussion, reasoning, and reflection.
Families with various backgrounds, education levels and experiences are very capable facilitators of science experiences for their young children when provided with carefully designed, supportive materials like the family science activity packs.
Students whose families engaged with NURTURES activities experienced significant score increases in early literacy, science, and math, highlighting the positive impact of family involvement on academic outcomes.
Each experience is intentionally designed with built-in supports that help families engage in meaningful science conversations, turning simple activities into powerful learning moments.
Take-home experiences that bring science into everyday moments.
Explore what plants need to grow by observing how sun and water help them grow.
Measure indoor and outdoor temperatures and use data to make predictions.
Observe a living animal and identify the adaptations that help it survive.
Shared experiences that bring families together around science.
Design a boat that holds as much weight as possible without sinking.
Create a maze that demonstrates different types of motion from start to finish.
Build a plant habitat and observe what supports survival and growth.
Short, engaging learning segments that spark curiosity and conversation.
Other topics include: Animal Habitats, Wind Socks, Force & Motion, and Sediments