Ring Of Fire Science

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I have to admit, when I think science, I think “biology”, “chemistry” or physics. Earth Science just hasn’t been on my radar. Mainly, because in all my years of school and study, I’ve never had one course in earth science.  Sure, there was a chapter or two about rocks, volcanoes and dirt back in grade school and high school. That’s about it.

Thanks to our friends at CurrClick.com, I was introduced to Myrna Martin of Ring of Fire Science. After getting my hands on the Ring Of Fire Volcano curriculum, I wanted to chat with the author. Myrna is passionate about earth science and she sharing that passion with others. Here is a bit from our phone conversation last fall.

Homeschool Scientist (HSS): Why Earth Science?

Myrna:  Earth Science is fascinating! I became really excited about earth science when Mt. St. Helens erupted. We lived within 90 miles of the mountain, so I took my kids to see it erupt. When I looked for lessons about volcanoes, I found there were none. So, I created my own. That’s how Ring Of Fire was started.

HSS: Come to think of it, I’ve never had a real lesson on volcanoes. I know next to nothing about them.

Myrna: My point exactly. Earth Science and Physical Science don’t get a lot of attention, so students don’t get to learn about them. Rocks, volcanoes and earthquakes are fascinating to study!

HSS : Ring Of Fire curriculum is very hands-on.

Myrna: Yes. I have found that students who have fun learn more than those who go through a big book of facts. The “hands-on” is missing in most science texts. The experiments are just thrown in if they are present at all. In the Ring Of Fire curriculum, each lesson is reinforced by a hands-on activity. This really helps the students do more than memorize the bold words. They understand the material

HSS: What do you say to parents who are afraid of hands-on science?

Myrna: Whatever curriculum or books you use, parents should take the time to do hands-on activities. If you don’t, you are leaving out the most important part. Hands on activities don’t have to take a lot of money or materials. Most of the time, you can use materials found at home. Do the experiments and the activities. Have fun with your kids!

Ring Of Fire Curriculum

Ring of Fire Science offers curriculum and activities for students from preschool through high school. Each book is an in depth, hands-on exploration of an area of earth science, including volcanoes, earthquakes, rocks and others. The lessons are broken down so they are thorough, yet easy to understand.

Earth Science Week

Myrna and I have a lot of the same ideas about the importance of hands-on science to a student’s education. It was great to chat with her and learn from her experiences and wisdom. Because of her passion for earth science and my son’s budding curiosity regarding all things rocks, gems and dinosaurs, I have taken more of an interest in earth science. Look for more earth science themed posts all week long at The Homeschool Scientist.