Online science journal will stimulate young imaginations

Web log: ‘Frontiers for Young Minds’ is written with input by children and teenagers

Perhaps your child is a mini-scientist: they love examining insects under the microscope and they've mastered the Coke and Mentos challenge. It can be difficult to figure out what online resources are best for cultivating a childhood love of science while maintaining accuracy. For example, Bill Nye the Science Guy is fun and wacky but he's an entertainer who hasn't always interpreted evidence correctly.

I would point parents in the direction of Frontiers for Young Minds, the open source scientific journal written for children and teens with their input. Their mission statement says "the best way to make cutting-edge science discoveries available to younger audiences is to enable young people and scientists to work together to create articles that are both accurate and exciting".

Science mentor

Frontiers is a well-established scientific publisher that takes peer-reviewed research and asks scientists to rewrite it for a younger audience. It is then reviewed by a youngster in conjunction with an assigned science mentor before being published. Subjects include: astronomy and space science, biodiversity, Earth and its resources, neuroscience, mathematics and health. There is also a downloadable resource to help parents and teachers get started with the website.

kids.frontiersin.org/about/journal