Summer is a chance to keep kids’ science learning on track

Unstructured activities can keep young brains busy and promote growth — like a visit to a museum, a nature hike, an observation of neighborhood wildlife or at-home experiments. (stock.adobe.com)

The school year just ended for Chicago Public Schools students — which means, for most of them, a newfound sense of freedom and a lack of structure and responsibilities as the warmer, longer days of summer take hold.

This can be a time to take a needed break from the rigorous schedules and academic pressures that define the school year – a time to recharge and create the kind of childhood memories that will stay with them for years.