Take science classes to build your knowledge. These classes help develop skills such as analytical and scientific thinking. To develop these skills, participate in class activities such as collecting data and forming predictions. In class, you formally learn the scientific method, which includes defining scientific questions, gathering information, performing experiments, analyzing results and publishing or submitting logical deductions.
Get involved in experiments. Experiments help you develop critical thinking skills because you form hypotheses based on calculations and results. You also develop critical decision-making skills during the course of the experiment. The best way to further your learning and be more involved in experiments is to work with a science teacher. Science teachers help guide you to become more efficient in performing an experiment, thus bettering your science skills, as well as expose you to different methods in completing the experiment. To develop an academic relationship with your science teacher, you can help your science teacher prepare for class or talk to her about the previous lessons in class.
Go to summer science camp. Science camp are intense learning experiences where you participate in hands-on activities such as planting, hiking and observing nature. Activities at science camp help foster skills in collecting data and inferring. Camp leaders guide students to venture out into nature to take notes about their observations, and guide them on how to interpret data on their own.
Attend a science conference. Conferences allow you to become more exposed in science circles, as well as help you acquire science skills from mentors and scholars you meet as you network. The California Science Education Conference is a well-known conference attended by established professionals in the science field. In such conferences, you not only absorb ideas from professionals, but you also develop skills on how to convey scientific information and analyze scholarly works in science with them.
Read science textbooks. Science textbooks are great learning tools to build science skills, because the lessons not only stimulate thinking but also compel you to think differently. Science textbooks usually have supplemental questions at the end of each lesson to assess your knowledge of the subject and inspire you to think more about scientific situations.