Hafa adai!
As summer vacation for children is about to begin in Guam, schools vary in how they approach the break—some assign homework, others don’t, and some require students to participate in projects or complete self-chosen tasks. So, for some kids, summer vacation isn’t just all fun and games.
Recently, I found something that could be perfect for an elementary school summer project at Macy’s in Micronesia Mall. It’s located in the toy section of Toys“R”Us, found on the second floor of Concourse 4 in the baby and kids' goods department.
Toys“R”Us is a well-known American toy brand with stores around the world. While they operate their own standalone stores, they also partner with Macy’s to open smaller stores within Macy’s locations.
What I found here that could be great for summer homework or projects were science kits. Among them, the kits from National Geographic—known for their engaging introductions to nature, world cultures, history, and science—stood out for their uniqueness and fun appeal.
There are kits that explore the solar system, hands-on chemistry kits that show how substances change, and excavation kits for digging up dinosaur bones. All are reasonably priced and designed to spark children’s curiosity and interest. Many of them look like activities that parents and children can enjoy together.
This one is from the Discovery brand. Just as the name suggests, Discovery kits are about uncovering the wonders of science, similar to what National Geographic offers.
By the way, have you heard of the term “STEM”? In Guam, it’s a term often used in educational settings. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It's a teaching approach that integrates these fields, aiming to nurture the next generation of contributors to scientific and technological advancement.
Many of the science kits introduced here carry the “STEM” label, making them popular among parents who hope to spark an early interest in these fields, and children who get to explore science in a fun and engaging way.
STEM is a growing area of focus. Why not let your children explore STEM this summer and help them discover what excites them?