Product Description

Includes instructions for ninety-nine simple experiments that demonstrate basic scientific principles.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3348048 in Books
• Published on: 1989-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-- Appealing frog and lizard cartoon characters move from the cover through the pages of this collection which is arranged by the materials used in the experiments rather than by the scientific principles demonstrated. The introduction assures readers that these experiments all work and are safe; warnings are included about such things as a hot stove and that iodine and ammonia are poisonous. A brief history of the materials and some facts about them introduce the series of experiments. "Clutching at straws," for example, explains straws, shows how to make one, and then demonstrates such principles as air pressure, water refraction, and center of gravity. Included in the chapter on soap and detergent is a recipe for a bubble mix along with the expected making of bubbles and rainbows. --Sylvia S. Marantz, Wellington School, Columbus, OH
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Simple & safe, scientifically sound, OUTSTANDING!
Simply fabulous, Simple Science Experiments with Everyday Materials provides a generous number of experiments meant to involve children in easy science activities. Although the book does not include the questions needed in the inquiry-approach, all other aspects of the book are tremendous. Experiments are simple and safe, scientific explanations in normal language are provided, materials are readily available, and the experiments excite children to learn more each time. (From The Science Spiders(TM) Newsletter).

Simple is right, could be better
I would have given this 2.5 stars if possible. This review applies to all the books in this series, not just this particular one. The book's strengths: (1) Truly simple experiments that make science fun and give it a "Wow" factor for children. Everybody can follow the simple instructions in this book. (2) Seeing science done with ordinary objects takes science out of the elite laboratory and puts it into context of everyday life. (3) Even adults can learn so much about how everyday items and phenomena are related to science.

The book's weaknesses: (1) Explanations of the science behind the experiments are too brief and vague. (2) For too many of the experiments the directions are incomplete at best, and sometimes just not adequate at all. The big majority of the experiments will work, but for the several that don't, the teacher/parent is left saying, 'What went wrong?" You can follow all the directions perfectly, but poor directions don't make an experiment work. Sometimes it's an issue of needing more detail, but sometimes it's an issue of the directions themselves not working, no matter how much detail would have been given. For example, the directions for making Rock Candy (to see the shape of sugar crystal growth) are ludicrous. They wouldn't work no matter how hard you tried. But, the directions for making salt crystals are just fine, and we have some beautiful cubic salt crystals to see now.

Overall, I like these books. I'm very glad to have such easy-to-put-together and fun experiments for us to do at home. But...I'm always prepared for something to backfire, I read with a discriminating eye and the benefit of an extensive science background, and if an experiment promises to deliver something "too cool" with simple instructions, I always search the net first.