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Category: Science Books (Page 56 of 87)

Chemistry Books For Kids: Make It Change!

September 8, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Let’s get back to our science roots this week with an exciting new chemistry experiment book for young kids. Make It Change! (Whiz Kid Science) by Anna Claybourne, and illustrated by Kimberly Scott and Venetia Dean introduces some easy-to-do hands-on chemistry activities that are sure to intrigue and inspire kids.

make-it-change-book

Rather than coming right out and saying, “This is a chemistry book!” Claybourne instead uses the theme of change to tie the activities together. It works very well, and for those who are ready, the underlying science is there to find.

Are these unique, groundbreaking experiments? No, you will recognize the twelve activities, such as plastic bag ice cream and exploding soda. The difference is the instructions are clear, there are suggestions for troubleshooting, the science behind the activity is revealed and suggestions for extending the activities are included. For example, the exploding soda activity emphasizes that there are gases dissolved in the soda that are released when the candy is added, and asks the question whether crushing the candy before adding it would make it work better. The activities are all clearly presented and consistent.

The illustrations add an element of fun as well as help illuminate the instructions. Colorful photographs draw attention to the related scientific facts included in sidebars.

All in all Make it Change! is a wonderful book to have on hand for a unit on chemistry for elementary-aged kids or to have some weekend science fun. It is just what an educator or parent would want to inspire kids to get excited about science.

Want more?

Visit our Growing With Science experiment archive and scroll down to chemistry for links to activities

Zoom Science has chemistry activities for kids

popular-chemistry-books-for-kidsDon’t forget our growing list of popular chemistry books for kids.

Grade Level: 2 – 4
Series: Whiz Kid Science
Publisher: Raintree (July 1, 2014)
ISBN-10: 1410967468
ISBN-13: 978-1410967466

 

Our review today is being shared for Nonfiction Monday on the new Nonfiction Monday FaceBook page. Edit: Nonfiction Monday is experiencing some difficulties, but try the Nonfiction Monday blog.

nonfictionmonday

Disclosure:  This books was provided by the publisher for review purposes. I am an affiliate with Amazon so I can provide you with cover images and links to more information about books and products. As you probably are aware, if you click through the highlighted title link and purchase a product, I will receive a very small commission, at not extra cost to you. Any proceeds help defray the costs of hosting and maintaining this website.

 

A New List of Chemistry Books for Kids

June 27, 2014 / / 1 Comment

Does it seen like this blog has been a little quiet lately? Wondering why?

Well, for the summer I have some obligations that will keep me otherwise occupied. These obligations involve teaching a high school chemistry class, among other things. In preparing for the class, I’ve found some chemistry books that might appeal to chemists and non-chemists alike. Some of them are for kids and some are for young adults. Let’s start with one for kids this week.

Why Is Milk White?: & 200 Other Curious Chemistry Questions by Alexa Coelho and Simon Quellen Field

In this unique project, 11-year-old Alexa Coelho came up with the questions and science writer Simon Field answered them. What better way to ensure that the information included is age appropriate than have it originate with a child?

Coelho asks questions like, “Why do onions make you cry?” “Why does sugar cause cavities?” and “What causes bad breath?” To his credit, Field takes every question seriously and fully answers each one as clearly as possible. He also includes some age-appropriate experiments to try at home, from lifting latent fingerprints from a “crime scene” using super glue (for smooth surfaces) or iodine (for paper) to hollowing out the zinc interior of a penny using muriatic acid. 

Not everyone will need to read this book cover to cover. Readers can skim and skip to questions that intrigue them. Those fascinated by chemistry and how the world works, however, won’t be able to put Why is Milk White? down.

Age Range: 9 and up
Publisher: Chicago Review Press; 1 edition (January 1, 2013)
ISBN-10: 1613744528
ISBN-13: 978-1613744529

Related

Budding chemists might want to try two fast and fizzy chemical reactions: Easy endothermic and exothermic reactions

popular-chemistry-books-for-kidsSee our entire list of popular chemistry books for kids

Do you have any favorite chemistry books? We’d love to hear about them!

Disclosures: I am an affiliate for Amazon, and if you click through the linked titles or ads and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Proceeds will be used to maintain this self-hosted blog.

 

Come visit the STEM Friday blog each week to find more great Science, Technology, Engineering and Math books.

Bug of the Week: Tumbling Flower Beetles

June 25, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Have you ever spotted a beetle and haven’t been able to figure out what kind it is?

Tumbling flower beetle-11Take these black insects, for example. You might not even be sure that they are beetles.

tumbling-flower-beetles-22Fortunately, I was able to key them out using a new book (see below for details). These are tumbling flower beetles, in the Family Mordellidae.

flower-beetle-closeTumbling flower beetles are distinguished by their wedge shape and the fact their elytra (hard wings) do not cover the abdomen.The abdomen is pointed at the end, as well.

They are called “tumbling” because the adults have an odd behavior of awkwardly jumping away from predators that leads them to tumble. The “flower'” part comes from the fact the adults are often seen at flowers feeding on nectar.

Have you ever seen tumbling flower beetles tumble? How would you describe it?

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The book I used to identify the insects is Beetles of Eastern North America by Arthur V. Evans, just published this month.

This book is an extensive desk-top reference for those interested in beetles. Along with the illustrated key to common beetle families, it contains detailed descriptions of 1,406 different species of beetles, each accompanied by a good sized full-color photograph.

In addition to helping with identification, Beetles of Eastern North America is also a fabulous place to start learning about beetles in general. There is an extensive introduction covering anatomy, natural history, where to look for beetles, how to observe and collect them, etc. It is filled with information, even the end paper in the back has a ruler and illustrations of beetles with their parts labelled.

Are you interested in working with beetles? On page 52, Evans discusses how to become involved in beetle research, encouraging students and amateur naturalists to participate in citizen science.

Examples of beetle-related citizen science projects:

Beetles of Eastern North America definitely is worth consideration if you have ever wondered, “What is that beetle?”

Paperback: 560 pages
Publisher: Princeton University Press (June 8, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0691133042
ISBN-13: 978-0691133041

Disclosures:  This book was supplied by the publisher for review purposes. Also, I am an affiliate for Amazon, and if you click through the linked titles or ads and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. Proceeds will be used to maintain this self-hosted blog.

 

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