How do you teach science in the 21st century? If you want to inspire children to change the world through discoveries, inventions and innovations, our belief is that you don’t “teach” science at all.

No lectures to my children. This is a promise I made to myself even though it is often difficult for me to uphold because I love a good lecture. The problem is that it’s simply the least effective way to teach them.

When we pause and resist the urge to quickly answer questions, we are beginning to unleash the curious thinker who resides in the souls of children. Soon their questions move to deeper ones and right as they are asking them, those lights in their eyes start gleaming and it’s clear they are on the journey to find the answers for themselves.

Every time you talk about an ordinary person doing an extraordinary thing, you are making a deposit into your children’s bank of hero stories. They will draw upon this spiritual food when they face their own monsters or become weary in their own struggle.

Feeling the pain of procrastinating or turning in shabby work is part of the etching of character onto one’s heart. It is far from comfortable, and as a parent, I’m gratified knowing my children are learning this truth deeply: missing deadlines hurts.