Product Description

The perfect science fair idea books . Spectacular Science Projects Janice VanCleave's Weather
* Why does it rain?
* What causes thunder and lightning?
* How does a cloud form?
Janice VanCleave's Weather includes 20 fun and simple experiments that allow you to discover the answers to these and other fascinating questions about weather, plus dozens of additional suggestions for developing your own science fair projects. Learn what causes lightning with a simple experiment using a roll of tape in a darkened room. Make a barometer from a soda bottle, straws, modeling clay, and colored water. Use a shoe box, plastic wrap, and some soil to understand the greenhouse effect. All experiments use inexpensive household materials and involve a minimum of preparation and cleanup. Children ages 8-12 Also available in the Spectacular Science Projects Series Janice VanCleave's Animals Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes Janice VanCleave's Electricity Janice VanCleave's Gravity Janice VanCleave's Machines Janice VanCleave's Magnets Janice VanCleave's Molecules Janice VanCleave's Microscopes and Magnifying Lenses Janice VanCleave's Volcanoes Kids.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #324188 in Books
• Published on: 1995-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6-Twenty experiments about weather designed to guide children toward developing their own science-fair projects. Each chapter includes a "recipe," which states the problem in the form of a question, e.g., "What is the shape of a tornado?" or "How does frost form?," a list of materials, and a step-by-step procedure. The expected results are stated in a brief sentence or two, followed by a lengthier "Why?" section. "Let's Explore" contains recommendations for modifying the experiment slightly and additional questions related to the problem. "Show Time!" includes advice on setting up a science-fair display, and "Check It Out!" has suggestions for further study of the topic and ideas that might be developed into science-fair projects. Some of the line drawings show procedural steps, diagram results, and provide explanations; others are space fillers. Terms defined in the glossary appear in bold type. There is no bibliography, a disappointing omission in a book purporting to encourage research. The activities are standard fare, and the "cookbook" approach is attractive to science-shy students and teachers. However, young people seriously interested in developing original projects should be directed to other titles about weather for background information and inspiration.
Carolyn Angus, The Claremont Graduate School, CA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Midwest Book Review
Weather takes many fierce and beautiful forms and just about all of them can be reproduced in the home or classroom. Janice VanCleave whisks kids right into the eye of the story with easy-to-perform experiments that help them to understand how weather works and how meteorologists make sense of it. Why does it rain? What causes lightning and thunder? How do warm and cold fronts affect the weather? How do hurricanes form? What kids discover is sure to start their brains storming with great ideas for the best science projects ever! Janice VanCleave's Weather features 20 easy experiments, pus dozens of tips and tricks for developing original science fair projects. Activities include making a working barometer, building a hailstone, creating a cloud in a jar, and even performing the classic tornado experiment.

The publisher, John Wiley & Sons
Contains twenty activities, including the classic tornado experiment, for teaching kids about weather. Also provides many ideas for science fair projects. Answers such questions as: Why does it rain? How do warm and cold fronts affect the weather? What causes thunder and lightning?