Exploratopia: More than 400 kid-friendly experiments and explorations for curious minds [Hardcover]

The Exploratorium (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: 3 and up

From physics to forensics, from the largest clouds to the tiniest ants, from Issac Newton to elephant dung, "Exploratopia" overflows with things readers can explore using the simplest, everyday items, such as eggs, paper clips, soda bottles, vinegar, and plastic cups. Kids will love these innovative activities and will have fun learning all at the same time.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—Practiced young experimenters ready to strike out on their own will find enticing science demonstrations on nearly every page of this inviting collection. Each of the 21 sections contains a half dozen or more entries that feature easily gathered ingredients, clear directions, and color photos or diagrams that are not only informative but often arresting as well. Areas of inquiry range from explorations of one's own ears to bathroom studies of surface tension and bubbles, from creating a mummy (in this case a hot dog, dubbed "King Oscar" in the directions) to making a rocket launched by "100 percent stomp power." Murphy and company also include many experiments specifically designed to sharpen observation, logic, and measurement skills, along with other intangible, but essential, "Tools for Exploration." A closing section of hints and shortcuts, plus a useful directory of links on an associated Web site, rounds out an above-average addition to science-project shelves.—John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

The Exploratorium, the "museum of science, art and human perception" in San Francisco, presents a lively compendium of science information, activities, and experiments. Divided into three broad sections, this large-format book supports a hands-on approach to learning. "Exploring Yourself" includes sections on the eyes, the ears, the nose and tongue, the hands, and the brain. "Exploring Interesting Places" offers things to learn in kitchens, bathrooms, backyards, playgrounds, amusement parks, and beaches. "Exploring Interesting Stuff" looks into language, music, math, money, paper, optical illusions, light, color, electricity, magnetism, and sound. With many color photos, cartoon-style drawings, and well-labeled diagrams, the book is brightly illustrated and visually appealing, from its eye-catching endpapers right through to the appended (and sure-to-be-consulted) "Hints, Tips, & Answers." Better written and more engaging than most science experiment books, this book encourages children to learn through reading, observations, and experimentation. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (October 4, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316612812
• ISBN-13: 978-0316612814
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 1.2 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,921 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > How Things Work
  • #68 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Experiments & Projects

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another good book from the Exporatorium, February 12, 2007

By 

science rocks! (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exploratopia: More than 400 kid-friendly experiments and explorations for curious minds (Hardcover)

Most of the Exploratorium books that I have purchased have been activity-based, so they're great for grown-ups (teachers, parents, etc.) who want to lead kids in discovery as well as for the kids who want to try things out for themselves. As a science instructor for elementary-aged students (pre-K through 5th grade), there are several of the activities in this book that I am going to use for my kids, but it seems well suited for the kids themselves because it also gives a lot of basic background information on everything from static to DNA. This particular book from Exploratorium is a bit different from the others because of its extra background information and would be a great book for an elementary-aged child who loves science and wants more information, as well as hands-on activities to explore.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've been voted "Coolest Grandad"!, January 9, 2007

By 

Bill Murphy (Waterford, Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exploratopia: More than 400 kid-friendly experiments and explorations for curious minds (Hardcover)

I am well over 13 years of age! -- I am approaching my 75th birthday. I bought Exploratopia for one of my grandsons and all grandchildren (who have reached the 'use of reason' thought Grandad's present to Aaron the best of all.
Not only is it a book of discovery -- every discovery gives you an experiment that you can to to illustrate what you have just read.
Thank ytou very much!
Bill M<urphy

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exploratopia, January 12, 2009

By 

Denise Dehnbostel - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exploratopia: More than 400 kid-friendly experiments and explorations for curious minds (Hardcover)

This is a great book. I am using it as the science curriculum for my 11 year old homeschooled daughter this year. So far my daughter's favorite projects from Exploratopia are guessing smells and determining the touch sensitivity of different parts of the body. She is eagerly awaiting the naked egg experiment. The book begins with tools for exploration, better known as the scientific method, that can be referred back to as needed. Each chapter is illustrated with photographs that demonstrate specific concepts. The activities and experiments are systematically explained with color drawings and text. The explorations encourage the reader to make observations about themselves and the world around them. The book contains a nice selection of activities that use easily found items and is based on current scientific understanding of the many included subjects. The activities can lead to further exploration of the topic. Each chapter has links to the internet, unfortunately many of the internet links have a significant cost in order to be used.