Technology Activities for Elementary Students
As advanced as tech-savvy youngsters may be, there’s always more to learn. Elementary school is the perfect time for students to learn how to respect and understand how technology works, the ways it can be used, and how to be good digital citizens while staying safe online.
Some Tech Activity Ideas for Young Learners
Technology is also much more than just computers and gaming. It is a tool that simplifies many areas of our lives and accelerates innovation.
Home Science Tools offers many high-quality, hands-on products for students of all ages, including science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) toys for nine-year-olds. They are designed to spark an interest in various areas of science and are perfect for a traditional school setting or for students who learn at home.
Here are a few technology ideas from Home Science Tools designed for elementary-school-age children:
- Coding Critters–Ranger and Zip: This kit lets kids practice coding with screen-free challenges using storybook adventures.
- Bristlebot Robotics Kit: Children can build three battery-operated, wiggly toothbrush-head robots. Depending on the child’s level of enthusiasm, you may want to organize a bristlebot race or use the bristlebot components to build other vibrating robots.
- Wind Turbine Science Kit: Kids can build a windmill or wind turbine that can make a colored light glow or a motor spin from the energy it collects from the wind. Use the kit to explore concepts of wind power, motors, generators, energy, and more.
- Veggie Power Battery Kit: Kids can use a potato to demonstrate how chemical reactions can turn a vegetable into a battery and generate electricity. While a potato is not exactly high-tech, this experiment is a good way to segue into how batteries are used in technology.
- Blast Off Kit: Learn about force and motion by building rockets using tea bags, film canisters, etc. These seven hours of learning introduce young learners to the basics of physics, an area of science often used in the development of new technologies.
Most of these activities are STEM activities for second-graders. However, the knowledge gained with them forms the basis for many STEM activities for high schoolers.
Fun Facts to Peak a Reluctant Child’s Interest in Technology
Sometimes, a child resists diving into a technology lesson. To spark their interest, here are a few fun facts to share that may turn them around:
- The first computer mouse was a rectangle and made of wood. The inventor called it a ‘mouse’ because of the wire tail that connected it to the computer.
- The first mobile phone only worked for thirty minutes, could store only thirty phone numbers, and had to charge for ten hours before it could be used again.
- Recycled laptops could save enough energy to power about 3,000 homes a year.
- Pong was the first video game. The table tennis game was released in 1972 and used 2D graphics.
How to Help Children Balance Technology with Life
Technology plays a role in almost everything we do. Smartphones, computers, security cameras, drones, and other gadgets are everywhere–and self-driving cars and other space-age ideas are quickly becoming realities. Introducing young children to technology with fun and interesting activities from Home Science Tools is a great way to teach some basics of how the world works today.
