Real Science-4-Kids Chemistry Pre-Level I introduces young students to college level chemistry subjects, such as atoms, molecules, chemical reactions, acids and bases, mixtures and large molecules such as proteins and DNA. This book is written for young elementary students in grades K-3.
Rebecca W. Keller incorporated Gravitas Publications Inc. (www.gravitaspublications) in 2003 to develop and publish core sciences curricula under the Real Science-4-Kids imprint. She has authored and published Real Science-4-Kids student texts, teacher manuals, and student laboratory workbooks in chemistry, biology and physics for the home school, private, and public school markets. Her 26 textbooks serve kindergarten through eighth grade.
In 2008, Keller wrote and directed the development of a series of interdisciplinary companion texts called Kogs-4-Kids(tm), which show how science is connected closely to all other areas of study and how it affects everyday life. The categories for the Kogs series are: history, language, philosophy, arts, technology, and critical thinking.
An advocate of "open inquiry" in science, Keller has often spoken about and provided testimony on the positive effects of allowing students to "critically evaluate" all scientific data that support and/or oppose scientific conclusions. Her textbooks present students with up-to-date scientific facts and the steps of the scientific method, together with the critical thinking tools needed to help students evaluate scientific conclusions. Dr. Keller's books are as philosophically neutral as possible and do not impose any single overall philosophical interpretation such as Darwinism, Intelligent Design, or Creationism. Instead, they allow students to make up their own minds about what the data show.
Her view has been summarized in her Gravitas Geeks blog as: "In the sciences, let's teach what we know and admit what we do not actually know. Let's train children to explore authentic inquiry, evaluate the evidence, and decide for themselves what conclusions they might draw. There is nothing more important for children studying science than to learn to ask 'What if?' and then to be free to follow the data wherever it leads."
Keller didn't set out to be an author. A former research assistant professor at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, she worked in the molecular biology field. As a home-school mom, her background in biophysics, molecular biology and neuroscience coupled with her love of the dramatic and led her to prepare interesting "labs" for her children and those of her neighbors. In 2001, this success in engaging kids in science prompted her to launch a formalized training program to equip non-science teachers (usually other moms) to feel comfortable teaching science.
Real Science-4-Kids and Kogs-4-Kids offer solid science concepts in a manner understandable for youngsters. Today Real Science-4-Kids is taught in 50 states as well as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, Japan and Korea. Keller's team continues to develop and test products.
