Books in First Science Experiments series

Even young children can understand the science of sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste, thanks to these simple explanations and safe, easy experiments. “Super book. Each of the five senses is explained using correct terminology...followed by a series of experiments. Colorful cartoons clarify the instructions. This book is sure to be a hit with teachers and children who love ‘to do science’ at home.”—School Library Journal.

Presents new, tested experiments related to the intriguing field of forensic science. Forensic science is an applied science that uses scientific principles to meet specific goals. Students will be required to collect evidence, perform research, develop hypotheses, think analytically, conduct interviews, analyze data, employ deductive reasoning, draw conclusions, and finally share their results with others. The experiments are designed to promote interest in science in and out of the classroom, and to improve critical-thinking skills.

"Super book... sure to be a hit with teachers and children who love 'to do science' at home."--School Library JournalEven young children can understand the science behind the five senses, thanks to these simple explanations and safe experiments. Do people with big ears hear better than people with small ones? Test it out by making paper "ear trumpets" that amplify sound. Or, using everyday items, create an optical device that magnifies objects. Kids will learn what makes things feel hot and cold, how scratch and sniff cards work, why salt is salty and sugar sweet, and how all the senses work together.

Magnets irresistibly draw kids to science--turning the learning process into a magical experience. This entertaining collection of experiments helps parents and teachers make the most of that natural, youthful curiosity. These activities answer all the most basic questions in a hands-on way, always with an eye to safety: What do the "N" and the "S" on a magnet mean? What can a magnet pick up--and can I make something magnetic? Where is the largest magnet in the world? There's even a way to make a magnet float in the air and a great "art project" using a magnet to decorate a silly drawing!

How do machines work? Kids will have a blast constructing a mini-seesaw to illustrate the way a lever operates or creating their very own pulley from an empty spool, string, ribbon, pails, pennies, a broom, and two chairs. They’ll find out why they can’t put in a screw using only their fingers and examine the different parts of compound machines. In another experiment, a child’s bicycle becomes a laboratory for understanding whether wheels have to be smooth to run. A good time will be had by all.

Why is my hair straight when my friend's is curly, does my tummy growl when I am hungry, do things start to look all fuzzy when they get close to my eyes? Nothing fascinates kids more than their own bodies and how they work. The youngest budding scientists can find out some of the head-to-toe basics through these extremely simple activities. Using tea bags, children can test their sense of smell--and find out why they stop noticing even the most delicious aromas after a little while. With a pillow, a helpful adult, and a supported headstand, they'll discover why they become dizzy when they spin. Who knew learning could be such fun?

Wind, rain, soft drifting snowflakes and burning sunshine: all kids wonder what makes the weather what it is. How can we predict whether there will be blue skies or rain tomorrow? Where do clouds come from? Why do we have thunder and lightning? Answer all these questions and more with entertaining experiments geared to youngsters in the second and third grades. Using blown-up balloons and the refrigerator, test the difference between cool and hot air. Wrap a thermometer in a wet paper towel, wait a little bit, and then compare it to one that's left unwrapped: it will reveal the secrets of humidity. (And explain why two days with exactly the same temperature can feel completely different.) Make some morning dew to understand why the grass is wet when you wake up--even if it didn't rain. Create a hailstorm from blueberries, start a mini-tornado, keep a weather diary, and more!

"Excellent...[A] strength of the volume is the accuracy and sophistication of the science that is presented, without losing simple sentence structure and the clear presentation of ideas."--Science Books & FilmsWind and rain, snowflakes and sunshine: all kids wonder how the weather works. How can we forecast whether there will be blue skies or rain? Why do we have thunder and lightning? Answer these questions and more with entertaining experiments and other smart science activities geared towards youngsters in the second and third grades.

How do machines work? Kids will have a blast constructing a mini-seesaw to illustrate the way a lever operates or creating their very own pulley from an empty spool, string, ribbon, pails, pennies, a broom, and two chairs. They’ll find out why they can’t put in a screw using only their fingers and examine the different parts of compound machines. In another experiment, a child’s bicycle becomes a laboratory for understanding whether wheels have to be smooth to run. A good time will be had by all.