Science is defined as "knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation" (www.dictionary.com). They key words here are observation and experimentation. These activities are an essential part of learning about our world. Therefore any lesson on science is not complete without experimentation and observation. I finally understand what it is that draws me to science; it is the fun and excitement of discovering the world for myself and not through someone else's eyes. As I have shared science with children I have found that they too enjoy learning through their own observations and experiments.
As an adult, I still delight in the wonder of discovering the world through experimentation. Over the summer I tried some new ideas in my garden. It has sparked an interest in horticulture. My latest experiment began with a scrap of onion in the kitchen. I simply placed a toothpick through a small piece of onion and hung it over the top of a cup filled with water. Roots have sprouted from the bottom and a green plant emerges from the center of the onion. Everyday it gets bigger.
