Show me, and I remember. Let me do, and I understand. Children are born scientists.
Nothing is too small as to be insignificant to their exploring fingers and eyes.
It must be the way that we teach science, as if it is something to be lectured about and memorized and tested. I realize that this is easier said than done. It's easier and less expensive, which is probably another reason that many teachers have opted out of hands-on activities. Discovery science, where students are encouraged to make observations based on what they see or are doing, is harder to prepare for and harder to supervise. It's harder to grade.