SB&F's Science Fair Resources!
2006 - 2007 School Year

The Amateur Naturalist. Nick Baker. (Illus.) National Geographic Society, 2005. 288pp. $30.00. ISBN 0-7922-9348-7. Index; C.I.P.
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With a very appropriate title, this book is meant for those who like to investigate the outdoors and who see themselves as amateur naturalists. The first chapter addresses the types of equipment a naturalist would need. Subsequent chapters are each devoted to a major group of animals, except for one chapter, which is given over to plants. Each chapter is a practical combination of natural-history information about the organisms and the particulars involved in tracking, observing, capturing, or otherwise interacting with those organisms. The text is illustrated with lovely photos and drawings. Preceding the index is a list of conservation organizations, suppliers of specialized equipment, and books for further reading. Teachers who are looking for outdoor investigations would be interested in the projects described in this book, which would be a good addition to any public, college or university, or high school library.

Backyard Science. Shar Levine and Leslie Johnstone. (Illus.) Sterling, 2005. 80pp. $19.95. ISBN 1-4027-1519-6. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.
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Backyard Science, by Shar Levine and Leslie Johnstone, contains a series of 29 life science activities designed to be investigated in outdoor settings. The book opens with a thorough description of the guidelines and safety issues associated with outdoor science. The activities are evenly split between the study of plants and animals; the book closes with three environmental activities and a challenge to become actively involved in improving the local environment. Each activity contains a title with a brief introduction that sets the stage for the ensuing investigation. The hands-on activities provide ample opportunities for observations relative to a key question listed in the introduction. A follow-up section entitled "What Happened" provides an accurate description of the content of the activity. The activities appear practical, yet engaging. The book is versatile in that the activities can easily be conducted in urban settings.

Bicycle Science Projects: Physics on Wheels. Robert Gardner. (Illus.; from the Science Fair Success Series.) Enslow, 2004. 112pp. $19.95. ISBN 0-7660-1630-7. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.
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Bicycle Science Projects is a very good book for the middle school student and a good resource book for high school students as well. The introduction includes basic safety rules, science fair information and a metric conversion table. Reflecting the topics they examine, the five chapters of the book are titled "The Emergence of Bicycles," "Bikes, Gears, and Speed," "Using Your Bicycle to Measure Distance and Speed," "Forces Every Cyclist Must Overcome or Apply," and "Working on Your Bicycle." Each chapter is subdivided into sections called experiments; each lists any formulas and conversion charts that will be needed. Chapters start with some background information that may be practical, historical, or both. A list of materials is then provided, followed by a list of ideas for science projects. The experiment is then presented, in clear and explicit terms. After its presumed completion, a set of follow-up questions is asked.

Cool Chemistry Concoctions: 50 Formulas That Fizz, Foam, Splatter and Ooze. Joe Rhatigan and Veronika Alice Gunter. (Illus.) Sterling, 2005. 80pp. $14.95. ISBN 1-57990-620-6. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.
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This book is a most interesting compilation of generally traditional and well-known, simple, often spectacular chemical reactions. The experiments are selected to produce colorful and frequently startling results that are intended to amaze and create interest in upper elementary and middle school age children. Written with easily followed directions, requiring common household ingredients, and quickly performed, the experiments can readily be carried out by the students themselves. A more informative and detailed explanation of what is being observed occupies each experiment. Numerous technical terms are included in italics and, with suitable definitions for the intended audience, are found in a glossary at the back of the book. Each experiment, together with its explanation, occupies one page, and each is accompanied by a colorful and humorous drawing. The directions and explanations are written for the student and are also lighthearted.

Dazzling Science Projects with Light and Color. Robert Gardner. (Illus.; from the Fantastic Physical Science Experiments Series.) Enslow, 2006. 48pp. $17.95. ISBN 0-7660-2587-X. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.
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This book has an interesting group of elementary-level science projects. The majority are geared to be easily accomplished by students up to grade 5 or 6. Beyond that, some modification must be made, but doing so could lead to interesting projects. All of the projects presented follow the same pattern: an introduction, followed by a list of the materials used, a discussion of the construction of the project, and a description of the expected results. Graphics are given in a colorful cartoonish form that is easy to read and follow. Safety is always stressed. Included are 10 projects, all of which are fun and informative. The book ends with a glossary, a bibliography, and a list of Internet addresses. This is a fun, easy-to-read, and informative book.

Environmental Science Fair Projects Using Water, Feathers, Sunlight, Balloons, and More. Thomas R. Rybolt and Robert C. Mebane. (Illus.; from the Earth Science! Best Science Projects Series.) Enslow, 2005. 128pp. $26.60. ISBN 0-7660-2364-8. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.
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This book is a collection of experiments on environmental topics: air, water, soil, pollution, and energy. It is appropriate for upper elementary and middle school students. There is a general explanation of the topic at the beginning of each chapter, followed by a number of experiments. Each experiment has a complete list of materials and examples of a data table. The procedures are clearly written and controls are included. After each experiment is a set of questions that direct the student to logical conclusions, an explanation of the main concept, and possible extensions of the experiment on the same topic. The expected outcome is often included in this discussion, so it may be worthwhile to let the student see only up until the procedure initially. Environmental Science Fair Projects Using Water, Feathers, Sunlight, Balloons, and More is very good for what it is designed to do: be a guide for science fair projects.

Exploring the Solar System: A History with 22 Activities. Mary Kay Carson. (Illus.) Chicago Review Press, 2006. 176pp. $17.95. ISBN 1556525931. Index.
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Many books for young people have been written about the solar system. Mary Kay Carson's volume is a refreshing approach, in a number of ways. She has organized the material to include not just the history of the discoveries about the solar system, but interesting and personal histories of many of the discoverers. Another feature of Carson's work that is very attractive is the inclusion of 22 experiments and activities, which each demonstrate an aspect of astronomy, engineering, or technology. The scope and varying levels of difficulty of the activities make them appropriate for students over a range of ages and also allow the student to come back to the book to work through it later on. Some of the activities will be largely fun, while others are more difficult, demonstrating a scientific principle or engineering design. Students of different ages will require more or less guidance from an adult for the more difficult demonstrations, which can be carried out on an individual basis with each student participating or, in some cases, by the teachers with the students' assistance.

Prize-Winning Science Fair Projects for Curious Kids. Joe Rhatigan and Rain Newcomb. (Illus.) Sterling, 2004. 112pp. $19.95. ISBN 1-57990-478-5. Index; C.I.P.
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This colorful, eye-catching, and whimsical introduction to science-fair projects is sure to capture the attention of the reader. The book begins with discussions of the scientific method, keeping a notebook, planning and scheduling the project, and presenting the project, including tables, graphs, and charts. Step-by-step instructions highlight both the projects in general at the beginning of the book and each of the 50 biology, physical science, or chemistry experiments. Throughout the book, various sections allow the reader to "take a closer look" or have fun with the material, such as matching nursery rhymes with science-fair projects (e.g., what's the best fertilizer for a beanstalk?). The vibrant photographs, text that speaks to the reader, and experiments that explore the reader's everyday world will provide a great introduction to science exploration for elementary school kids.

Rocket-Powered Science: Invent to Learn! Create, Build and Test Rocket Designs! Ed Sobey. (Illus.) Good Year Books, 2006. 106pp. $14.95. ISBN 1-59647-055-0. Glossary; Index.
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Although its theme is rockets, this book doesn't simply teach kids how to design and build rockets. Author Ed Sobey (a science museum administrator with a Ph.D. in science) uses rocket science as the hook for teaching kids physical science concepts by means of practical demonstrations. The target audience is upper elementary and middle school teachers, or parents home schooling their children ages 9-14. Each of 25 demonstrations and 16 models, with complete step-by-step instructions, illustrates a particular science concept, which the author explains in nonmathematical terminology. The materials are mostly inexpensive, easy-to-find items (straws, balloons, paper clips). Sobey explains how each demonstration fits into specific curriculum objectives, includes appropriate safety notes, and gives advice on how to manage groups of energetic kids actually doing the projects. He encourages teachers to let students test different designs and learn from them, not just do a demonstration once. The book's casual style makes the demonstrations seem like play, but the science is carefully and accurately explained, not glossed over or assumed. This book is appropriate for public library children's collections and for collections of teaching resources for elementary and middle school teachers.

Science Experiments Index for Young People, Fourth Edition. Mary Ann Pilger. Greenwood Press, 2005. xxiii+184pp. $60.00. ISBN 1-59158-237-7. C.I.P.
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In the introduction, the author of this volume states, "The scientific process is inherent in children and their curiosity." The goal of the book is to connect elementary school children with science experiments, activities, and projects. The majority of the book is devoted to a subject index to over 300 science books for children, most published between 1994 and 2004. Locating an experiment is a fairly easy undertaking. The author has created nearly 1,400 subject headings to assist the user. Every experiment is indexed under multiple headings. Once an appropriate subject heading is found, the experiments are listed as entries beneath. The entries include a brief description of the experiment, an identification number of the book that contains the experiment, and a page reference. The books are listed in a section after the subject index by identification number and alphabetically by author; both lists include bibliographic information minus the ISBN.

Scientific American: More Simple Science Fair Projects, Grades 3-5. Salvatore Tocci. (Illus. by Bob Wiacek.) Chelsea House, 2006. 48pp. $27.00. ISBN 0-7910-9055-8. C.I.P.
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Salvatore Tocci’s book Scientific American: More Simple Science Fair Projects, Grades 3-5, on simple science fair projects, is by far the best I have read on the topic. It begins by describing how to exhibit information on a trifold display with the following information: background, the experimental question, materials, procedures, results, and explanations. The author then describes 18 experiments following that format. The language is clear and easy to follow. Simple drawings add a great deal to the explanations and make this a very “user-friendly” book. One of the greatest strengths of the book is its inclusion of a secondary experiment for each topic. This approach helps students understand that they should not generalize on the basis of one experiment, but should test their hypothesis further. This book is an excellent resource for students or teachers of science in the upper elementary grades. It could be used to introduce students to ideas for experiments, as well as to how to record information in a science notebook. The topics are clear and can be correlated with a mandated curriculum or used for science projects.

Weather Science Fair Projects: Using Sunlight, Rainbows, Ice Cubes, and More. Robert Gardner. (Illus.; from the Earth Science! Best Science Projects Series.) Enslow, 2005. 128pp. $26.60. ISBN 0-7660-2361-3. Glossary; Index; C.I.P.
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Weather Science Fair Projects can be put to good use regardless of whether one is or is not entering a science fair. The 128-page book has four main chapters: "Weather Maps and Instruments," "Earth's Atmosphere and the Sky We See," Humidity, Sunshine and Weather," and "Clouds and Stormy Weather." In each chapter, background information alternates with activities. Some activities involve making weather instruments such as an anemometer and a rain gauge. Other activities investigate the principles behind weather phenomena, such as changes in air pressure, the formation of rainbows, lightning, and surface temperature. Each chapter ends with several extensions of ideas presented. The wording is carefully chosen for both clarity and scientific accuracy. An exception is that all activities are call "experiments," regardless of whether any data are to be collected or variables adjusted. The page layout is pleasant and the illustrations are effective. The cover gives the impression that the book is quite elementary, but the graphs, charts, and radiation angles would be quite challenging for most elementary school students.