#NetFlixKids Has Blinded Me With Science! Part 1

This is a two-part series to share science related programming from available from Netflix kids.

There’s a picture going around on Facebook which expresses just how much I hate THE SCIENCE FAIR. My family is still recovering from THE SCIENCE FAIR [flashback…and shudder]. The Bee had almost two months to work on a project of HER choosing, a study of plants and classical music. After a positive start in which she was totally self motivated, things kind of fell by the wayside. The Dad and I did what we could, nagged, threatened, reminded but ultimately the responsibility was hers and despite her reassurances that “things were getting done” suddenly the night before the science fair she was frantically trying to put all of her results together.

Photo Credit: Susan Messina

Things were so stressful that The Dad and I were chatting like old buddies, having a part pity party/ part vent about this stupid fair. Grateful that our foray into science was over.

<Exhales>

Which brings me to work. Where I am planning my Summer Reading Challenge. A challenge with a science theme. Eight Weeks.

Boom goes the dynamite.

<Inhales>
I am exaggerating slightly. My co-worker and I have culled some ideas from the manual we get, Pinterest and chatting with other librarians to make our summer programming fun and entertaining while keeping that summer slide down. I always like to plan more programs than I actually will do. Sometimes the planned event just doesn’t feel right and it’s nice to have an alternative. With the ideas from Netflix Family Friendly programming I feel comfortable with the ideas that I have been working on.

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1. Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius
2. Peep and the Big Wide World
3. Magic School Bus: All Dried Up
4. Animal Mechanicals
5. Wild Kratts

In the past I have used ideas from Peep and the Big Wide World to do a study of light and dark at the library. There is a wonderful hands-on event planning handout to engage your children in the exploration of shadows and light which can be found here.

I liked The Kratt Brothers when they hosted another show, Zooboomafoo, and really like this new cartoon. It encourages me to view animals as more than cute pets and have assisted me with the children who are fascinated with animals. The library has been growing Red Wiggler worms and we have been encouraging our library families to consider trying to raise their own.  They aren’t just pets but they are helpful for making compost for our library vegetable and herb garden. This video found here was helpful in reminding me about the worm’s environment and ways we can keep them healthy when we are exploring their habitat.

Jimmy Neutron is fun for encouraging children to create their own inventions. Jimmy is a genius and creates inventions that may not be groundbreaking or useful but are necessary for his life. The library has been collecting odds and ends including buttons, cardboard, bottle caps, screws and more to encourage expanding our mind from what we have to what we can create.

I cannot lie; Miss Frizzle and the Magic School Bus kind of got on my nerves when it used to be a regularly watched show in my home. The lizard, the kooky outfits, and that one kid with glasses was just too much for me so I missed that this show does get children excited about science in such a creative way. Add in the books and the great worksheets found on the Scholastic site and you are well on your way to extending episodes of the show with hands on experience.

I am not familiar with Animal Mechanicals but the premise of this show, for a preschool audience, is the Animal Mechanicals use their amazing ability to transform to solve challenging problems. When The Bee was younger her preschool teacher would talk to the class about strategies and problem solving, language and ideas that she still uses.

Next week I will present part two of #NetflixKids Has Blinded Me With Science with ideas for teens and tweens.

Tell me…how do you use science with your children?

*Disclosure: I was provided with a Netflix membership to facilitate by review, but these opinions are 100% my own.