Stoke scientific temperament at home. For all the outside influences and mentor-led culture prevalent in colleges and universities, school-going children and preteens often look to their parents or older siblings for guidance and influence in life. Invest in some reasonably priced encyclopedias on science and technology, how-to books for children, and illustrated books and magazines on nature and wildlife in order for them to understand the whys and hows of the science-dominated world. Also avail of the many "Popular Science" series books brought out by many publishers.
Encourage visits to libraries and borrowings of science books and DVDs. Despite the availability of resources on the Internet, physical public libraries provide a valuable resource in science education. Make it a point to include a book or two on science or nature along with the other books borrowed from the library. Many instructional and historical DVD series on great scientists, discoverers, naturalists and inventors are also available in libraries.
Visit museums and science institutions. While the best science and technology museums are concentrated in a few large cities in the United States, many states do have specialized science museums or collections in public galleries that showcase pioneering locals in the sciences and touring exhibitions borrowed from larger museums, private collections of philanthropists, specialized libraries and institutions. Graphic representations of the innovative pioneers in American science and technology can stay imprinted in the minds of preteens and help inculcate an early interest in science. Family vacations or school field trips to New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Seattle and other large cities should include visits to the science, technology and engineering museums and institutions in these cities.
Encourage and reward good grades in science. Very good grades in science and mathematics subjects in elementary school are possible early indicators of potential in preteens. As parents, reward such performances in the form of gifts or inducements and subtle encouragement to keep up the good grades. However, even if children or preteens do show an early interest and a scientific temperament, it is best not to pressure them too much with expectations and results. An encouraging and benevolent approach goes a long way in sustaining interest in science right up to high school and college.
Keep track of scholarships, grants and other financial aid in science. A number of scholarships, fellowships, grants and other financial aid are given by national non-profit organizations, government and quasi-government foundations and other philanthropy-based organizations to students and children showing aptitude in science. Many of these scholarships and financial grants continue right up to college. School principals and guidance counselors and most librarians in public libraries are the best sources of information for these awards.