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SCIENCE & DISCOVERY

Who has not delighted in children's curiosity and wonder in the world around them? A toddler's fascination with a crawling caterpillar, a pre-schooler's delight in a rainbow, a school child's inquisitiveness about magnets - these are the experiences that we hope to encourage and foster with science toys and equipment.

These items should not be considered merely as toys. To be of any real use, they must meet minimum standards in such areas as scientific accuracy and optical precision. In other words, they must be of adequate quality to function properly. They must also be well adapted for the rough use they may be given at children's hands.

Adequate supervision should always be provided. In fact, it's a good idea to be around even when teens are experimenting. Since many of the science kits contain chemicals or other elements which may be harmful if misused, the precautionary statements on the individual containers should be read carefully. Insist that part of the job of the budding scientist is to clean the equipment thoroughly so that it is ready for the next session.

There are a number of kits intended to introduce and demonstrate specific scientific principles and phenomena. The best of them invite and expand a child's interest with clear, precise instructions and explanations that are appropriate for the intended age group. In many of the kits the Council has evaluated, the assembly process is more interesting and satisfying than the actual demonstration of the scientific concept. In toys of this nature, it is essential that the execution of the concept be faultless and that the accompanying material explain exactly what is happening and wherever possible show how it relates to the everyday world. Remember science toys must also be fun.