WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES?
There are many places where you can find math, science, and technology activities to do with your child. There are booklets and magazines that you can get free or at low cost, there are resources in your community, and there is a wealth of information on the Internet. Here are a few suggestions:
Books and Magazines for Children
There are lots of good magazines for children of all ages. Preview them at your local library, and get the ordering information you need. For starters, look at WonderScience, Ranger Rick, and Highlights, or Dragonfly, a new science magazine for ages 8-12. There are also many children's books which involve science; a list of books your library should have (or should get) is Read to Succeed in Science and Math: A Bibliography for Families available at http://dimacs.rutgers.edu/archive/nj_math_coalition/fans.html.
Television Shows for Children
Encourage your child to do things besides watching TV, but here are a few good shows to look for: 3,2,1 Contact; Nova; Bill Nye-The Science Guy; Magic School Bus; Knowledge Net.
Community Resources
Be aware of opportunities in your own community. Sign up for after-school or weekend math and science programs or clubs at community centers, libraries, schools, or museums. Take walks in local parks or nature centers. Find out about what happens to waste, trash, and recycled items after they leave your house. Visit local businesses to see how math, science, and technology are used in the workplace. Look in the newspaper for special events. And participate in parent activities in your child's school.
Places to Go ... in New Jersey
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City (201-451-0006)
New Jersey State Aquarium, Camden (609-365-3300)
Edison National Historic Site, West Orange (973-736-5050)
Sterling Hill Mine and Museum, Ogdensburg (973-209-7212)
NJ Audubon Society Bird Observatory, Cape May (609-884-2736)
Newark Museum, Newark (973-596-6550)
Buehler Challenger & Science Center, Paramus (201-262-0984)
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton (609-292-6464)
Invention Factory Science Center, Trenton (609-396-2002)
Places to Go ... near New Jersey
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx NY (718-817-8700)
Pocono Environment Education Center (PEEC), Dingman's Ferry PA (717-828-2319)
Franklin Institute, Philadelphia PA (215-448-1200)
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia PA (215-243-1100)
Bronx Zoo, Bronx NY (718-367-1010)
American Museum of Natural History, NYC (212-769-5100)
Math and Science Websites of Interest
The Math Forum at Swarthmore has a website for parents and concerned citizens. It also sponsors the Ask Dr. Math project:
Here are some websites with science projects for families:
Booklets, Pamphlets, and Online Information
Many free or low-cost booklets and pamphlets are available, and lots of information is available over the Internet. If you don't have easy access to the Internet, your local librarian will help you.
From the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement, Consumer Information Center, Dept H-374A, Pueblo, CO 81009 (the first two are only $0.50 each):
- Helping Your Child Learn Math or Helping Your Child Learn Science
- Let's Do Math! or Let's Do Science!
Website: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents
From the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 22091-1593 (800-235-7566):
- Family Math Awareness Activities
- Using Calculators to Improve Your Child's Math Skills
From the Technology Educators Association of New Jersey (201-764-7419) or the International Technology Education Association (703-860-2100):
- Technology Education: Information and Ideas for Parents
- Information about the Technology for All Americans project is at the ITEA website: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/TAA/TAA.html
From the National Urban League, the following pamphlets are available through the National Parent Information Network:
- Learning Science and Math in Your Community
- Ten Characteristics of Good Science Programs
- Math Opens Doors...And It's Fun Too!
- Science and Math Are for Girls!
Website: http://ericps.ed.uiuc.edu/npin/respar/texts/home.html
We hope this will get you started. Let us know if you find things you think we should add to our list!
