Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes: Unforgettable Experiments That Make Science Fun (Steve Spangler Science) [Paperback]

Steve Spangler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2010 | Age Range: 9 and up | Series: Steve Spangler Science

From the creator of the mentos soda geyser--the viral video sensation--comes a collection of outrageously entertaining science experiments and cool tricks guaranteed to get ooohs and ahhhs!

Author, celebrity teacher and science guy Steve Spangler teaches you how to transform the ordinary into the amazing as you make everyday items ooze, bubble, fizz, and pop! Make people wonder . . . How did you do that?

From flying toilet paper to trash can smoke rings, erupting soda to exploding sandwich bags, the experiments in Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes will spark your imagination and totally impress your friends. Learn how to astound kids and kids-at-heart with easy and inexpensive experiments like:

Bubbling Lava Bottle
• The Incredible Can Crusher
• Nails for Breakfast
• The Folding Egg
• Quicksand Goo
• Screaming Balloon
• Burning Money

This is not your ordinary book of science experiments. Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes is a geek-chic look at Spangler's latest collection of tricks and try-it-at-home activities that reveal the secrets of science in unexpected ways. Over 200 color photographs accompany the step-by-step instructions, and simple explanations uncover the how-to and why for each activity.

Make potatoes fly, bowling balls float, and soda explode on command. But don't try these experiments at home . . . try them at a friend's home!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-9–Messy, daredevil, tongue-in-cheek, and definitely boy-friendly, this collection of science explorations will energize a boring afternoon or a routine science lesson. Grouped loosely under the headings “The Power of Air,” “Kitchen Chemistry,” “Dry Ice,” “Gooey Wonders,” and “Don't Try This at Home...Try It at a Friend's Home!” the experiments emphasize the fun before the facts and are arranged under the headings “Let's Try It,” “Take It Further,” “What's Going on Here?” and “Real-World Applications.” Adult help will be necessary to guide elementary-aged children through the wordy instructions and the use of dry ice, power tools, and stoves. Sharp, full-color photos appear throughout, but they're not always informative. Adults dominate the images with an emphasis on the author's appearances on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Safety warnings are included at the front of the book, within experiments such as “Soup Soufflé” or “Naked Eggs,” and in the introduction to the “Dry Ice” section.–Carol S. Surges, McKinley Elementary School, Wauwatosa, WI. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Former elementary-school teacher Spangler has made a small empire out of finding the hands-on fun in science, with regular appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and his own extensive website, on which he markets educational toys and products. The creator of the Mentos Diet Coke geyser experiment that became a YouTube video sensation, Spangler uses cheap, everyday materials to invent entertaining, highly kid-appealing activities, many of which are collected in this volume. Heavily illustrated with color photos and described in funny, casual prose, the experiments will easily engage a young audience, and each is followed by a succinct explanation of the science concepts at play, from the potato launcher, which encourages kids to shoot spud pellets at close range as they learn about pressure and volume, to bouncing and folding eggs and soda-bottle lava lamps, which demonstrate chemical reactions and density. Serious safety cautions appear throughout the irreverent chapters, while “Take It Further” sections encourage fired-up lab partners to continue the activities. A boon for parents and teachers alike, this should find a large, enthusiastic audience. Grades 3-6. --Gillian Engberg

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Product Details

• Age Range: 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press (September 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160832060X
• ISBN-13: 978-1608320608
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,315 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #6 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Experiments & Projects
  • #9 in Books > Science & Math > Experiments, Instruments & Measurement > Experiments & Projects

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Addition to your Child's Library! September 14, 2010

By Mamacita

Format:Paperback

Dear parents and teachers: Steve Spangler's new book "Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes" is the best book of science experiments and information I've ever seen, and as an educator with over twenty years' experience, I've seen my share. I believe that the fact that Mr. Spangler was himself a classroom teacher for several years gives him an insight that is missing in other books of this type; he KNOWS how it is, with kids and classrooms and limited time and resources.

Shawn Campbell's pictures make this book even more spectacularly awesome. Just to look at the colorful examples and illustrations will make anyone of any age want to try these experiments himself/herself.

Steve Spangler makes sure we will learn the actual science behind each of his experiments, too. This book isn't just about having fun, blowing things up, and making messes, although those things certainly add to the awesomeness. Yes, you and your kids will have fun, blow things up, and make messes, but you will also understand why. Mr. Spangler is a master teacher who knows how to communicate his love of science and kids, and his audiences and readers sense it and respond accordingly, with that same enthusiasm.

"Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes" is the kind of book that belongs on every classroom's library shelf and every kid's bedroom bookcase. However, I seriously doubt that the book will stay on the shelf for long; once word gets out, every kid in the building will want to get his/her hands on it and start experimenting. It might even be a good idea to get a second copy to keep in the kitchen; many of the experiments use simple household ingredients that are found in any pantry.

My liking for and enthusiasm about this book are intense. It's absolutely fantastic!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Science! September 14, 2010

By Ellen Peterson

Format:Paperback

What is most striking about this amazing book is the number and quality of photographs that are included. Sometimes the most difficult thing about performing an experiment or demonstration is not knowing what it looks like as you do it. This book solves that problem!

I wholeheartedly recommend this book for all parents who are looking for a way to engage their children in something other than digital appliances! I unreservedly recommend this book for teachers who want their students to ask them to "do that again!" in class! Above all, I recommend this book for anyone who just wants to have some fun!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Book! September 17, 2010

By VisibilityCoach

Format:Paperback

I've been a fan of Steve Spangler's work for some time. An amazing educator and phenomenal television talent, this Emmy Award-winning, content-rich showman has successfully made the jump from local news to the national scene with numerous appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres show among others. In his new book, Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes, Steve takes on the herculean task of taking the best of his live experiments and demonstrations, and transferring them to the printed page. He has succeeded in a most dramatic and unexpected way. In crafting this terrific book, Steve Spangler as avoided the low-hanging-fruit of simply transcribing his very effective live TV presentations, and has instead, taken a step back and works to truly explain, not only the step-by-step process of creating the experiments yourself, but the lesson behind the magic. The pictures are stunning, and the process in each experiment is just as engaging as is the payoff. This book not only educates and entertains the reader, but has raised the bar for all future science books - both in and out of the classroom. Bravo!