The Big Book of Nature Projects [Paperback]

Children's School of Science (Author), Ellen Doris (Author), Len Rubenstein (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

The best way for kids to learn about nature is to discover it for themselves. Here are more than fifty activities, projects, experiments, and field trips that children can do at home, in the countryside, and at the seashore to discover the natural world around them. Written in a clear, accessible style for children eight to fourteen and older, and vividly illustrated with more than 400 color photos, these exciting investigations will show kids how to:

* Dissect a live sponge and watch it reassemble itself under a microscope. (You can order living sponges by mail!) * Build a bird-feeding and observation station. * Explore a seashore ecology by setting up a transect line and doing a species survey. * Collect crickets and keep them in a home terrarium. * Analyze the diet and habits of owls by dissecting an owl pellet. * Witness the complete metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a monarch butterfly at home.

These projects are drawn from the highly acclaimed real kids/real science series of books and have all been thoroughly "kid-tested." They are adapted from the programs of the Children's School of Science in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, where kids, science teachers, and scientists gather every summer to study the natural world together. Organized into six subject areas, these unique explorations of nature show kids how, when, and where to observe all kinds of plants and animals, how to be safe when going out and collecting in the wild, and how to build appropriate home environments to help them study what they find. In the process, kids will learn to think like scientists themselves, coming up with their own "what if?" hypotheses and designing experiments to test them. A comprehensive Glossary defines all scientific terms, and a special Supplies page is provided to explain quick and easy ways to order any specimens and equipment that kids can't find in their own area. In addition, a new Contacts page offers listings of many museums and national organizations that encourage and assist natural science studies. With The Big Book of Nature Projects, naturalists of all ages will have a powerful new tool to unlock the scientific wonders of the living world around them. Produced in association with the renowned Children's School of Science in Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Developed at the Children's School of Science at Woods Hole, Massachusetts, this collection of fifty-some projects provides a wonderful hands-on introduction to the workings of natural systems. Children who live near the sea will revel in following the step-by-step instructions for setting up a saltwater aquarium; children who live near woodlands can learn how to raise caterpillars and--perhaps to the horror of their parents--even wood lice. Educationally minded thought has gone into the preparation of this book, and the care shows on every page.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-6?A collection of over 50 projects that guide children toward making their own discoveries about nature. Adapted from programs given at the Children's School of Science at Woods Hole, MA, these fascinating and practical activities include the familiar (making leaf prints, identifying birds and insects) to the more unusual (regenerating a living sponge, raising milkweed bugs and dragonflies). Selections have been carefully chosen to suit both country and city dwellers. Users are encouraged to seek out life in ponds and fields, at the seashore, even in their local grocery stores. A mail order source is listed for those who have difficulty locating materials. Equipment and specimens are organized under chapter headings and include item numbers and prices. For the content, organization, presentation, clarity, and usability, this is a hard book to beat. Instructions and explanations are clear and complete. Bright, colorful, informative photographs, along with an introduction to classification and a useful glossary, make this a first choice for anyone wishing to observe, collect, identify, or just explore the natural world.?Lisa Wu Stowe, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500017735
• ISBN-13: 978-0500017739
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #897,599 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything You Need in a Nature Book, May 17, 2006

By 

Booklover (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Big Book of Nature Projects (Paperback)

This is by far the best nature project book I have seen. Visually, it is very appealing--beautifully organized, with full color photos. The lessons are clearly presented, and differences between geographic regions are noted, making this book relevant for any part of the country. It is a very hands-on approach to learning about nature, which is so often absent these days. While it is geared toward activities for younger children, I found it to be a very inspiring book--made me want to walk out the door and start exploring NOW.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great For Homeschoolers, April 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Big Book of Nature Projects (Paperback)

This is the best hands on science book I have seen yet. Great for kids to go out on their own or for parents to do with their kids as family outings and such. Has field trip ideas for each topic. Very highly recommended.