Bibliographic Information
Rosner, Marc. (2000). Scientific American: Great Science Fair Projects. Hoboken: Jossey-Bass.
Descriptive Summary
Aimed at youth ages 12 and up, this book is full of ideas for young people looking to do a science fair project. Most of the ideas here, gathered by science teacher and writer Marc Rosner, are both creative and challenging, but also realistic projects for the targeted age group. Included are detailed instructions on how to do the project, lists of materials needed (which consist of things mostly found around the house), and images to assist the young scientist in visualizing their project at certain steps along the way.
Ideas presented include how to track a caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly, how to make it rain, how to use hydroponics, how to create putty, and much more.
Evaluative Comments
I have only good things to say about this book. It is creative, contains ideas on a wide variety of topics such as household science, climate, ecology, aquatics, and botany, includes projects that have varying degrees of difficulty, and the descriptions and images included are useful and thorough. Lastly, I like that the author always encourages the young people undertaking these projects to have fun and do it for the love of science!
Written by someone who is experienced with scientific writing, as well as working with youth, the author was able to bring the scientific language included down to a teen level. The colourful language and clever metaphors used by Marc Rosner also make this book an enjoyable read.
I feel that this book has the potential to be both appreciated by a parent, and well-utilized by a student. If I am ever to be parent, teacher, or youth services librarian I will be sure to suggest this book for all science fair project seekers. I give this book a 10/10.
Suggested Audience
Ages 12 and up.
Readers’ Advisory Notes
non-fiction, science-related, how-to, detailed
If you found this book useful you may also enjoy So You Have to Do a Science Fair Project by Joyce Henderson. For those young adults not specifically looking for a how-to book, Ig Nobel Prizes by Marc Abrahams is a fun look at past Nobel-nominated projects that didn't win.
Booktalking Hook
Have you ever wanted to build your own sundial, be able to capture a picture of the lunar eclipse, grow your own crystal, or participate in an archeological dig? Well now you can! In this book, Scientific American: Great Science Fair Projects, science teacher Marc Rosner shows you how to become a real scientist today!
Reason for Inclusion
This is a book that I have seen in numerous school classrooms in recent years while dropping off my young cousins at school, visiting my mom at her workplace in a school, etc.
Category
Nonfiction, Homework
No comments:
Post a Comment