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Two points:
1) I believe in the educational approach of "idea first, name afterwards," so 
I'm not so keen on definitions and vocabulary building.   
2) I agree with those who have emphasized that science is a method--a way of 
knowing--but I think we want children to realize it is something they 
themselves engage in, not just grownups in laboratories studying the universe. So (if 
I had to define it) I would try something like: Science is what you kids do 
all the time when you are exploring and understanding the world around you, and 
grownups continue to do as they extend their exploration farther and farther. 
(I would include the words "around you" to emphasize that science starts close 
to home.)

Ted Ansbacher
Science Services
29 Byron Ave, White Plains, NY 10606
[log in to unmask] • www.scienceservs.com

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