Category: Chemistry (Page 4 of 9)

Sylvia Earle: Ocean Explorer

What better way to launch our week of ocean science books and activities than with a new children’s biography of marine botanist and ocean conservationist Sylvia Earle, Sylvia Earle: Ocean Explorer (Women in Conservation) by Dennis Fertig?

sylvia-earle-ocean-explorer

Most of us go to the beach and marvel at the the beauty of the ocean, but we rarely get even the smallest glimpse of what is happening under the waves. Sylvia Earle has had a different experience because she is an explorer. Over her lifetime she has delved deeply into the oceans and learned as much as she can about what is happening under the sea, logging in more than 7,000 hours underwater. Now she shares her passion and knowledge with others.

As appropriate for a children’s book, the book starts with Earle’s childhood. Sylvia Earle spent her early years on a farm in New Jersey, where she remembers visiting the Jersey Shore at the age of three and discovering the power of the ocean. When she was twelve, Sylvia and her family moved to Dunedin, Florida. Suddenly, she had a beautiful ocean to investigate right in her own backyard. She jumped in and her life was changed forever.

Dr. Earle learned to scuba dive as a teenager, and then began studying marine botany. She earned her doctorate in 1966. Since that time, she has been pushing the boundaries of marine science, diving, and more recently, ocean conservation. Her passion has been rewarded, as she has been given over 100 awards and recognitions for her work, including Time magazine’s recognition as the first “Hero for the Planet” in 1998. She has also been in the news in the last few months because she is the subject of a new documentary, Mission Blue (official trailer).

In addition to being packed full of information about Sylvia Earle’s life, this book is illustrated with numerous color photographs. The back matter includes an extensive timeline and glossary, as well as suggestions for places to visit to learn more about oceans. It also has a list of three things people can do to help oceans starting today.

Sylvia Earle: Ocean Explorer is will be a hit with children who are interested in oceans, in science, in women’s history, and/or in conservation. The incredible story of Sylvia Earle’s life is sure to inspire future explorers and conservationists alike.

Related:

2009 TED Talk

Age Range: 8 – 11 years
Grade Level: 3 – 6
Publisher: Heinemann InfoSearch (July 1, 2014)
ISBN-10: 148460475X
ISBN-13: 978-1484604755

 

_____________________________________________

This post is part of our ocean science series. Visit the landing page for links to all the related posts.

ocean-science-week-badge

Disclosure:  This book 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.

nonfictionmonday

Looking for more children’s nonfiction books? Try the Nonfiction Monday blog.

Chemistry Books For Kids: Make It Change!

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

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.

« Older posts Newer posts »