Mad Professor [Spiral-bound]

Mark Frauenfelder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2002

Within these tantalizing pages lie the keys to the mysteries of science. For here, in strange and delectable detail, are dozens of hitherto secret experiments for concocting slimes and putties, inventing miniature robots and transport devices, growing crystal gardens, and many other useful creations-all crafted from widely available household products. ***Warning: countertop volcanoes also included.*** Where did these wondrous projects originate? Apparently in a shadowy toy research laboratory that once operated out of a tiny island in the South Pacific. The Zoober Laboratory has since vanished, but we recovered its crown jewel-a secret notebook: spiralbound, fabulously illustrated, a source of astounding information. Lets just be thankful the pages are wipe-clean.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From super-secret Zoober Labs, hidden on the island of Kia Ora in the South Pacific, comes this book of experiments that the "budding mad professor can easily complete using materials around the house." Each of these 25 projects is wonderfully illustrated--on laminated, spiral-bound pages--by author Mark Frauenfelder, a former editor of Wired magazine. Broken into four sections, the book provides a basic science lesson before getting down to the experiments, including bits on the scientific method and Asimov's four rules of robotics. Explicit directions and safety tips follow, and each project ends with a How It Works nugget that unravels the mystery behind the science. The experiments include a bunch of old standbys that no budding mad professor should be without--rock candy, vinegar and baking soda volcanoes, returning tin cans-- as well as a host of unfamiliar slimes and putties that should spark interest in how molecules work. (The description of how polymers work will undoubtedly serve double duty as a refresher for most parents.) Many of the experiments require supervision for younger children, and a few use somewhat less common home materials, but instructions are given in each case on where to find them. (Ages 9 to 12) --D.J. Morel

Review

"...a great way to introduce younger kids to science projects on a smaller scale." -- The Dallas Morning News, January 31, 2003

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 80 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811835545
• ISBN-13: 978-0811835541
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,739,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a writer and illustrator living in Los Angeles. I am the editor-in-chief of MAKE magazine (http://makezine.com) I co-founded bOING bOING magazine, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Wired Online. I write a monthly column for Playboy called 'Living Online,' and was the co-editor of The Happy Mutant Handbook (Putnam-Berkley, 1995). Find out more about me at http://boingboing.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids love this book!!, September 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Mad Professor (Spiral-bound)

I bought this book for my daughter's friend, and my kids liked it so much I bought another for them. The experiments are at the right level for my seven and nine year old, and they are a lot of fun. The instructions are very clear and the drawings are cute and add a lot to the book. I highly recommend this to parents of all children.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book! Kids love it!, March 10, 2003

By 

"joe17368" (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mad Professor (Spiral-bound)

This book had even my non-science-interested niece enthralled. We made two types of goo and the volcano. Terrific!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Philo T. Funsworth!, November 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Mad Professor (Spiral-bound)

Very Cool! The book is a great collection of science experiments for kids, written in a witty and imaginative manner. "Mad Professor", like all of Frauenfelder's work, is worth purchasing for the exquisite graphic design alone.