Describes experiments that can be performed using rocks to demonstrate their properties, including how they are formed, how to test their hardness, and whether rock layers can be changed by events such as earthquakes.
A valuable, one-stop guide to collection development and finding ideal subject-specific activities and projects for children and teens. For busy librarians and educators, finding instructions for projects, activities, sports, and games that children and teens will find interesting is a constant challenge. This guide is a time-saving, one-stop resource for locating this type of information—one that also serves as a valuable collection development tool that identifies the best among thousands of choices, and can be used for program planning, reference and readers' advisory, and curriculum support. Build It, Make It, Do It, Play It! identifies hundreds of books that provide step-by-step instructions for creating arts and crafts, building objects, finding ways to help the disadvantaged, or engaging in other activities ranging from gardening to playing games and sports. Organized by broad subject areas—arts and crafts, recreation and sports (including indoor activities and games), and so forth—the entries are further logically organized by specific subject, ensuring quick and easy use.
From the everyday phenomena of wind and clouds to the awesome, destructive power of lightning, tornados, and hurricanes, children can explore weather in detail with this fascinating science activity book. Throughout the text instructions for building weather-measuring tools—barometers, psychrometers, anemometers, wind vanes, rain gauges, and thermometers—allow the reader to assemble them into a working weather station. More than 40 weather projects are included, such as building a model of the water cycle, creating a tornado in a bottle, calculating dew point, and reading a weather map. Most of the experiments also include ideas for expanding them into full-fledged science fair projects. Weather-related environmental issues are also addressed, such as global climate change, ozone depletion, and acid rain, as well as profiles of scientists working in the field of meteorology.
Dig in and learn about the Earth under your feet. Geology Lab for Kids features 52 simple, inexpensive, and fun experiments that explore the Earth’s surface, structure, and processes. This family-friendly guide explores the wonders of geology, such as the formation of crystals and fossils, the layers of the Earth’s crust, and how water shapes mountains, valleys, and canyons. There is no excuse for boredom with a year’s worth of captivating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) activities. In this book, you will learn: How to identify the most common rocks and minerals How to maintain and display your rock collection How insects are trapped and preserved in amber How geysers and volcanoes form and erupt How layers of rock reveal a record of time How to pan for gold like a real prospector Geology is an exciting science that helps us understand the world we live in, and Geology Lab for Kids actively engages readers in simple, creative activities that reveal the larger world at work. The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, bugs, math, and even how to create your own circus—all authored by established experts in their fields. Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels. Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.
Here comes the future! The world’s coolest technology comes to life with fun, hands-on experiments for kids. • Test solar power with milk jugs and balloons • Understand genome technology with food coloring • Launch your own “microsatellites” into orbit These 27 terrific experiments use basic stuff from around the house and will help you understand the fascinating and potentially scary world of driverless cars, artificial intelligence, robots and androids, 3-D printing, test-tube meat, smart clothing, and more. Through cool illustrations, photos, and Sean Connolly’s clear and always-lively writing, you’ll learn what each breakthrough means, how it can improve our lives, and what its downside might be. An elevator leading into outer space? A robot that learns to think for itself? What could possibly go wrong? Attention, parents: It’s time to put the “T” in STEM! You’ve probably heard that acronym, which stands for the core subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. And though technology can get pretty scary in our imaginations, these experiments give your kids a hands-on understanding of the principles behind the innovations—so no, they won’t be performing laser surgery on their siblings or reprogramming the GPS in your car. (But they’ll still have fun!)
From Sean Connolly, the master of messy and dangerous (and therefore extra-fun) science, a collection of more than 20 hands-on experiments that are like an interactive journey through the periodic table of elements. In this introduction to chemistry for STEM-curious kids ages 9 and up, each chapter of The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry focuses on a single element—its properties, how it was discovered, and even its potential danger level. Easy-to-follow experiments help readers put their newfound knowledge into action. All that’s needed is a sense of adventure and some items from around the house. Make your own fossil with silicon. Use a pinhead and measure 166 feet of string for a mind-boggling insight into how a hydrogen atom is built. Discover oxygen and oxygenation by slicing an apple and seeing what happens an hour later. Harness the power of zinc with a potato clock. And enjoy a special hands-off feature about the “Dirty Dozen”—those nasty elements, from arsenic to plutonium, that can wreak havoc wherever they appear (there are no experiments using these chemicals). Matter really matters, and now you’ll really understand why.
Drip—Drop—Splash! Water is essential to all forms of life. Explore Water! 25 Great Projects, Activities, Experiments, captures a child’s imagination with an intriguing look at the world of water. Combining hands-on activities with history and science, kids will have fun learning about the water cycle, water resources, drinking water and sanitation, water pollution and conservation, water use, water folklore and festivals, and the latest in water technology. Entertaining illustrations and fascinating sidebars illuminate the topic and bring it to life, while Words to Know highlighted and defined within the text reinforce new vocabulary. Projects include a nilometer, a rain harvester made out of plastic containers, a transpiration experiment, and a mini water wheel. Auxiliary materials include a glossary, and a list of current reference works, websites, museums, and science centers.
Experiments with food demonstrate various scientific principles and produce eatable results. Includes beef jerky, cottage cheese, synthetic cola, and pudding.
How do planes fly? What makes bubbles in a bubble bath? Why don't eggs break under a chicken? Come and find out! How? By choosing one of the 50 simple experiments in Janice VanCleave's Play and Find Out about Science. Your child will discover the answers to lots of fun questions as you team up to play together and explore the wonder of our world. Each experiment includes illustrations, a list of easy-to-find materials, and simple, step-by-step instructions. Coming soon . . . Janice VanCleave's Play and Find Out about Nature Janice VanCleave's Play and Find Out about Math Janice VanCleave's Play and Find Out about the Human Body Praise for Janice VanCleave's books: "Stunningly clear, direct, and informative projects." —School Library Journal "[They] not only teach children the basics of science, but also entertain along the way. . . . great for kids." —Parentguide
Stand back! Genius at work! Encase your little bother in a giant soap bubble. Drop mentos into a bottle of diet soda and stand back as a geyser erupts. Launch a rocket made from a film canister. Here are 64 amazing experiments that snap, crackle, pop, ooze, crash, boom, and stink. Giant air cannons. Home-made lightning. Marshmallows on steroids. Matchbox microphones. There’s even an introduction to alchemy. (Not sure what that is? Think “medieval wizard.”) None of the experiments requires special training, and all use stuff found in the kitchen or in the garden shed. You’d be irresponsible not to try them. ATTENTION, PARENTS: Yes, your kids may need your help with a few experiments. And yes, sometimes it may get a tad messy. But it’s not pure mayhem. The balloon rocket whizzing through the garden? It demonstrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion. That chunk of potato launched across the kitchen from a tube? Welcome to Boyle’s Law. Every experiment demonstrated real science, at its most memorable.