Fight summer brain drain with Chicago Museum of Science and Industry and Summer Brain Games

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.
Occasionally, I work with family related companies and locales to share my opinions with my friends and readers. This summer I have partner with Chicago Museum of Science and Industry to share some important information on summer brain drain. Summer brain drain can be a daunting subject for families. Did you know that a child could lose between one and three months of learning over the summer?


When summer vacation hits, the kids wants to have fun. It is time to move away from the classroom and break free from the structured learning. Still, no parent wants her child to let the summer slip or summer brain drain to ruin all the hard work from the school year. The easiest way to keep learning fun is for kids to play. The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago turns learning into playing.

I am a huge proponent of educational activities, like visiting museums or activities that required using your smarts. But, if I say that we are spending a bright, sunny day in a museum, the response can be far from enthusiastic. The kids want to play, explore and most importantly, have fun. At the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry is the perfect place for the kids to have it all.

This museum is a place where kids are encouraged to explore, question and sometimes touch the exhibits. By interacting with the subject, kids can understand that learning is just like playing. Seeing how an object works, why it acts, and the outcome that occurs can stimulate conversations. Sparking the interest can create a lifelong interest in a particular subject.

Our family enjoys the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry for many things, but my children's favorite is the U-505 Submarine. It is the only German submarine in the United States. It always amazes us the size, both inside and out, of the submarine. The kids enjoy all the exhibits in the area because they can imagine what it is like to be a sailor. From the cramped quarters to the workings of a telescope, the hands on experiences make them want to explore time and again.

Visiting the museum is always a fun experience, but traveling into Chicago is not going to be a daily, or weekly, activity. Luckily the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry has brought back the Summer Brain Games. This free online science program offers weekly activities to keep kids thinking over the summer break. From creating a hydroponic garden to pinhole viewer, the kids get their hands moving and their minds working.

I would suggest signing up for the Summer Brain Games before telling your children so that you, the parent, are familiar with the activity. Some activities require specific item to complete the task. Personally, I let my kids choose from two activities. One week we do the first choice and the second week the other option. Many of the tasks can be adapted for a variety of ages and school levels. Help from an adult is probably best.

I enjoying explaining the scientific principles behind the task. Since the activity is generally easy, we look at the board strokes of the concept. The hope is to spark an interest in learning and possibly science.  Granted, my child may not be the next Stephen Hawking or Bill Gates, but he may want to learn more about the engineering thanks to the balloon racers activity.

Are you ready to grow some summer fun? Would your family like to explore the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry?  I have a family four pack of tickets to give away ($76 value). Please use the Rafflecopter to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry is offering a fun and free online science program called Summer Brain Games. The eight-week program lasts from June 17, 2013-August 12, 2013 and features a weekly experiment or science challenge that can easily be performed at home with kids of all ages.

Visit msichicago.org/summerbrain now to register for Summer Brain Games and download your free Summer Brain Games kit. As an added bonus, registering automatically gets you a pass to come to the Museum for free this summer.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

5 comments:

  1. If it's raining, we find museums to explore. But if it's sunny, the zoo or other outdoor adventures.

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  2. This summer it has been going to the pool

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  3. During the summer, my favorite activity to do with the kids is visiting the zoo and museums.

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  4. We love to try and go to new places around the US... Last year is was California.. We try out all the FUN places and the historical ones!

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  5. We love visiting museums and galleries! I will keep this in mind if we are ever in the area!

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