ChemCeed demonstrating polymer chemistry to middle school students
Learning chemistry is a great way for kids to learn scientific methods and deductive reasoning skills, something that is often under-emphasized in schools today. Encouraging an early interest in science will help foster potential careers in STEM fields. With today’s employers struggling with a “skills gap”, kids who excel in STEM fields are very much needed to be our innovators of the future.
But even for children who don’t have a future in STEM careers, scientific reasoning and a good understanding of chemistry is a lifelong skill that will help them understand the world around them and make informed decisions. With the spread of false information rampant on social media, having reasoning grounded in science will help kids make informed decisions. Is that video real or a fake? Will a product work as advertised or is it a scam? An understanding of how chemistry works will help kids develop reasonable expectations.
Chemistry is also a very tangible science and practical science. Every day when you cook a meal, chemistry is involved. If you understand the chemical reactions involved in making baked goods rise or neutralizing acidity or thickening sauces, chances are you’ll be a pretty good cook. What’s in your household cleaners and how do they work? What are all those ingredients on the back of your shampoo bottle and why are they in there? What happens inside a car’s engine that makes it go? It’s all chemistry. Chemistry helps us understand how the world around us works.
The importance of teaching chemistry to our children is clear. Our future scientists depend on it. And raising children with a solid foundation in reason, who aren’t easily fooled, and have a clear understanding of world they live in is reason enough.