Every time I start a science program, whether it's a club or birthday party, the first thing I always ask is “What do you think a scientist is?” and I get a wide array of answers from astronauts to lab researchers to Professor Farnsworth from the Futurama cartoon. When most people hear the word science, they picture lab coats, beakers, or maybe a complicated diagram on a chalkboard. But the truth is: science isn’t just something reserved for classrooms or research lab, but rather something we all use, observe, and rely on every single day. That's why I tell all of my students (or party goers) that they are scientists, even if they don't know it!
From the moment we brush our teeth in the morning to the way we cook dinner or decide what to wear based on the forecast, science quietly guides our routines, our choices, and our understanding of the world around us. It helps us solve problems, make predictions, and discover how things work. And often, we’re doing it without even realizing we’re thinking like scientists. This blog post is a celebration of everyday science. The kind of science you can find in a garden hose, a traffic light, a loaf of bread, or a child’s curious question. Because once you start noticing it, you’ll see it everywhere.
Science shows up the moment your day begins. That alarm clock buzzing on your nightstand? It’s a little marvel of electrical circuits and timekeeping technology. Step into the shower, and you're surrounded by thermodynamics as heated water transfers energy to your skin. When you brush your teeth, chemical reactions begin as toothpaste foams up and helps clean your mouth which affects your complex oral microbiology and prevents cavities. Even something as routine as checking the weather before getting dressed involves data interpretation and basic meteorology such that you’re using science to decide what you'll wear. Pouring cereal? That’s gravity doing its job, pulling your breakfast into the bowl, while the density of the milk keeps it from spilling over (unless you pour a little too fast, in which case, great opportunity for a mini physics lesson).
As the day goes on, so does your scientific exploration. Walking, biking, or stretching on the couch are all examples of energy in motion. You’re putting muscle mechanics and balance into action, engaging in biological systems every time you move. Preparing lunch? You’re working with states of matter, changing solids and liquids through heat transfer, and learning about food science as ingredients transform into meals. Even housework is a chemistry lab in disguise. Why does vinegar cut through grime on your windows? Because of its acidic properties. Why does baking soda bubble when it hits vinegar? That’s an acid-base reaction releasing carbon dioxide. Your kitchen sink might be the most exciting science lab in the house. Caring for a pet? That’s a hands-on study in biology, animal behavior, ecosystems, and empathy. Whether you're walking the dog or watching a hamster rearrange its bedding, you're observing real-time interactions between organisms and their environments.
Step outside, and you’re stepping into a living, breathing science classroom. Have you noticed leaves curling in the afternoon sun? That’s a plant’s way of protecting itself from water loss, using a process called transpiration. Ever watched a line of ants marching across the patio? They’re following a chemical trail left by scouts to lead the colony to food. And if you’ve ever wondered why puddles disappear after rain, you’re watching evaporation in action, part of the ongoing water cycle that sustains life on Earth. Even a walk around the block can turn into an exploration of shadows, weather patterns, and animal tracks. Every tree, bug, and breeze is part of a system waiting to be observed.
Some of the best science happens when things don’t go quite right. When your dishwasher stops draining, you begin troubleshooting, forming a hypothesis, testing it, observing results, and trying something new. That’s the scientific method at work, just without the lab goggles. Adjusting your garden’s watering schedule? You’re tracking variables and drawing conclusions. Trying to fix a squeaky door? Physics. Tweaking a recipe that came out too salty? Chemistry. Problem-solving is where science becomes practical and empowering. It teaches kids that they don’t need to be perfect to figure something out, they just need to get curious and keep trying. Keep discovering.
June offers the perfect invitation to slow down, look around, and reconnect with the science happening all around us. Several awareness days this month highlight just how deeply science is woven into our daily lives and how easily we can turn ordinary moments into meaningful learning.
Butterfly Awareness Day on June 1 is a chance to step outside and observe these delicate fliers up close. Have you ever noticed how butterflies flutter in a zigzag pattern? That unpredictable movement helps them avoid predators. Their wings, while paper-thin, are engineered for strength and flexibility. And if you spot a butterfly basking in the sun, you’re witnessing thermoregulation—they’re warming their muscles to prepare for flight. With every movement, butterflies teach us about adaptation, camouflage, and the amazing physics of flight.
A few days later, World Oceans Day on June 8 reminds us that ocean science touches all of us, even those far from the coast. Oceans regulate Earth’s climate, produce much of the air we breathe, and influence weather patterns in even the most landlocked areas. It’s a great time to talk with kids about where water goes after it rains, what happens to plastic waste, and how saltwater creatures survive in such a dynamic environment. Even a kitchen experiment—like testing which types of packaging float or sink—can open a powerful conversation about pollution and its effect on marine life.
And then there’s Father’s Day, which brings science into the home and garage. From grilling dinner to fixing a bike, many dads (or grandpas, uncles, and caregivers) are hands-on problem solvers—and science is right there with them. Tools are based on simple machines like levers, pulleys, and wedges. Heat transfer explains how a burger cooks. Measuring and building something together brings in engineering, physics, and precision. These everyday projects are rich with scientific thinking, and asking a few questions—like “What force makes this tool work?” or “What would happen if we changed this variable?”—turns the moment into discovery.
And, don't forget that Pogona Peak is starting the Everyday Science Challenge on June 1! Share how you observe science in your daily life and get entered in our drawing for fun prizes! Visit our website for more details on how you can participate!
At its heart, science is about asking questions. “Why is the sky orange tonight?” “What happens if I spin the fan on high?” “Why do cookies always burn on the bottom rack?” These are real, everyday inquiries that spark critical thinking. Kids practice the scientific method all the time without realizing it. They are constantly forming ideas, testing them, noticing patterns, and making decisions based on what they’ve learned. When my kids were younger, my husband would build lego towers with them. They start stacking bricks, but it keeps toppling over. So they test a wider base. Then they try alternating the direction of the bricks. They’re experimenting, adjusting their design, and learning from each trial. Or, when my older daughter was on track, she would test which shoes would help her run faster. Sometimes they would practice on the field at school, but then run races on the track at the highschool and the shoes felt different to her on different surfaces. She was forming a hypothesis, making observations, and making decisions on what she learned.
The good news is you don’t need a microscope, textbook, or elaborate experiment to raise a scientifically curious child. You just need to stay open to wonder. Start by noticing what’s happening around you, and invite your kids to do the same. Ask open-ended questions like, “Why do you think that happened?” and then explore the answers together. Let kids test their ideas, even if it gets a little messy. And most importantly, let them see that you don’t always have the answer either. Wondering together builds not only scientific thinking but also connection and trust. Even something as small as choosing an umbrella based on cloud cover is a form of science in action. It’s the process of making evidence-based decisions, and it starts early. The more we encourage kids to notice, ask, and experiment, the more we nurture their scientific thinking and their confidence. And every time your child asks “why?”—you’re standing at the edge of discovery. Because science isn’t a separate subject—it’s the language of everyday life.