Q: A neighbor and I want to give our five kids (ages 8, 10 and 11) science experiences this summer, as we can't afford camps at nearby colleges. How can we plan something valuable across those age ranges?

A: Summer is a wonderful time for family-led science activities. Schedules are more flexible; you can take a deep dive into hands-on projects, and no one has to stop and put away the materials as they would in school. Plus, you can take field trips to visit professionals who work in science-related careers.

For a summer filled with science, take three steps, says Allison Duarte, a middle school educator who designs science curriculum for New York City's Harlem Academy.

First, choose a stack of nonfiction children's books that match kids' interests. "While it may sound counterintuitive, start with reading," Duarte explains. "Nonfiction introduces key concepts through developmentally appropriate storytelling and photos or illustrations. Introduce 'academic vocabulary' (that) kids need to understand the topic, build background for further study and reinforce literacy skills."

For example, do your kids want to study birds? The book "Birdology: 30 Activities and Observations for Exploring the World of Birds" (Chicago Review Press, 2015) shows them how to spot birds almost anywhere and gets them to analyze, write about and draw what they see. It teaches essential vocabulary such as "migration," "nesting," "territories" and "preservation."

"Read science books with your children to check for understanding and prompt conversations that lead to questions about the book's topic," suggests Duarte.

Ask your kids' teachers or a children's librarian to recommend titles. Or choose from recommended science books for grades K-12 published annually by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and the Children's Book Council: nsta.org/publications/ostb/.

Second, conduct experiments that help them develop the skills to carry out scientific investigations independently. "Guide them through the scientific process: question, hypothesis, materials, procedure, results and conclusion," advises Duarte. "Have them keep a science journal to reinforce observation and recording skills. At the conclusion of each experiment, ask children to share their results and suggest a follow-up experiment."

To find experiments, Duarte recommends two books that yield quality results, offering clear protocols with illustrations and using everyday materials: "Kitchen Science Lab for Kids: 52 Family-Friendly Experiments From Around the House" (Quarry Books, 2014) and "The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book" (Adams Media Corporation, 2001).

Third, plan field trips. "Exploring museums and nature centers is a valuable economical way to share science with kids," says Duarte. "Many museums offer free classes or drop-in experiences with scientists. Check the museum's website for suggestions on how to make the most of the experience before, during and after the visit."

She also encourages getting kids "off the grid" and into natural settings. "This encourages environmental stewardship and scientific inquiry about the natural world," says Duarte. For example, hike the same trail several times. Have children record close observations about trees, animals, sounds and weather. How does one habitat differ from another? What's the same and what's different?

By providing summer science activities, "you invest in your children's continued growth as scientists and scholars," says Duarte. "As a bonus, not only will kids love the special time together, you may learn something new!"

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: My daughter, a rising college senior, finds volunteer tutoring very satisfying. She will graduate in January and wants to apply for a two-year stint at Teach For America. I think she should start her real career upon graduation. How can I convince her?

A: What if her real career turns out to be teaching? Or a position inspired by her Teach For America (TFA) experience? Teaching is still an appealing career choice and a great foundation for other professions. Many of the 40,000 TFA alumni now work in related fields, many in leadership positions.

Take Eddy Hernandez Perez, for instance. His assignment was teaching fifth grade in San Antonio. Through his teaching success he got to advise then-Mayor Julian Castro on education policy and helped start Leadership SAISD, a nonprofit program that works on behalf of students in the San Antonio school district. He eventually got his master's degree in education at Harvard and is set to graduate law school at the University of Texas next May. Hard to argue with that career path!

Laura Smith, a high school math teacher in Dayton, Ohio, is completing her two-year TFA commitment and weighing a third. "My degree is in accounting, and I love to teach math," she says. "One day I'd like to combine those skills in a way that uses data to help narrow the opportunity gap, one of our nation's toughest problems."

They have some advice for your daughter: Apply to TFA because of your passion. Are you doing this for students and to learn the skill of teaching? If not, then rethink your priorities.

"Don't use TFA as a break between college and grad school," says Smith. "The work is hard. You'll struggle to focus on your students if you're only passionate about studying for the LSAT."

Assess your adaptability. TFA doesn't put you where you want to go. If accepted, TFA sends you where you're needed.

Prep well to apply: While applications have dipped from the 2013 high of more than 57,000, getting in remains competitive. Prepare yourself by talking with alumni and principals in schools with TFA teachers.

"If you can't stay excited throughout the application process, decide on a different route," says Smith.

Expect tough challenges. If accepted, you'll need to prove yourself to students and colleagues. You'll get good support from TFA, but you need large stores of resilience and stamina.

And now here's some advice for you, Mom. Some form of service to the country helps young people get to know themselves and what they're made of. It helps define their professional personalities, and they learn what motivates them. They also develop insight and leadership skills. If your daughter decides to apply, be thrilled you've raised such a mature young woman.

Find TFA application deadlines at teachforamerica.org.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: Our elementary school is quashing creativity. A group of us parents thinks the lack of arts education, field trips and the like squeezes the joy out of learning. We aren't opposed to tests, and we don't want to home-school our kids; we just want a better elementary experience. How hard is it to start a charter school?

A: It's hard. That doesn't mean your group shouldn't pursue it. Just don't plan for it to open this fall. Charters are places to try out new methods. Some will succeed; others won't.

When Mary Mitchell, the late co-founder of New York City's successful Girls Prep, was asked about starting a charter, she'd advise: "Prepare for more homework than you can imagine, and be ready to jump myriad hurdles. Study the data on what makes a charter school successful long-term. Build in accountability from the start. Fill your planning group with people who will go the distance. It's a marathon."

The planning group's job is to articulate a clear vision and identify people and resources to bring your school into being. That vision should spell out the school's core beliefs and its instructional and management processes. Show the mission, costs and timeline to key parent, educator and civic constituencies. This helps refine the application and anticipate potential funders' questions. Know your state's rules, process and timeline for charter applications.

Be able to clearly define the educational need you're meeting. Florida parent Richard Busto helped lead a team that founded the successful charter Renaissance Learning Center for elementary-age students with autism spectrum disorders. They also founded the Renaissance Learning Academy, a nonprofit high school, as a transition from the Learning Center. The Learning Academy's mission was clear from the start: Help prepare students ages 14 to 21 with autism spectrum disorders for life after school.

You may not have to start a charter to get more of what you're looking for. Teachers also regret the loss of time for the arts, project-based learning and other activities that make school fun. "Most educators will welcome a parent initiative that can help add programs that motivate students and add richness to the offerings," says Tim Sullivan, the president and founder of PTOToday.com. These may be after school, on weekends or during school vacations.

"Family engagement covers a lot of ground," says Sullivan. "From helping create a new playground and ensuring a budget for field trips to working with educators to tweak a curriculum to offer more arts, STEM or other content a community wants."

Ken Robinson, Ph.D., the co-author of "Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That's Transforming Education" (Viking, 2015) encourages parents to engage with educators.

Robinson is famous for his TED Talk, "Do Schools Kill Creativity?" He notes that recent efforts such as the U.S. Department of Education's 2013 family engagement report, "A Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family–School Partnerships," and the PTA's "National Standards for Family-School Partnerships" spell out principles that foster win-win collaborations.

Clarify your group's goals and approach the principal and other key educators in your elementary school (including the PTO or PTA leadership). What you're seeking may be within easier reach than starting a charter school from scratch.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)