Science Is...: A source book of fascinating facts, projects and activities [Paperback]

Susan V. Bosak (Author)

Book Description

This guide for teachers is the answer to all questions children ask and all the wonders they want to investigate -- from the marvel of a raindrop on a leaf, to the power of a volcano, to the mysteries of the universe.

This award-winning bestseller is the biggest and best collection of science activities for children 6 to 14 years old. There are projects, experiments, games, puzzles, and stories. They cover all areas of science, including matter and energy, the human body, the environment, rocks, plants, animals, insects, weather, stars and planets, and technology.

Activities range in length from the popular 'Quickies' to projects that can be done over several days or weeks. They've all been tested and use simple materials. Easy-to-follow explanations, engaging illustrations, and fun facts (did you know that a cockroach can live for nine days without its head?). Many thousands of copies of Science Is... have been used by student teachers to get started in science class. Make this a book you'll turn to again and again.

"An innovative book ... Youngsters will be intrigued by the exciting activities crammed into this book." (Today's Parent)

"An excellent reference source for parents and teachers!" (School Library Journal)

"A powerful and practical resource... Will enrich any school science curriculum. Highly recommended!" (Appraisal, School of Education, Boston University)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-- An encyclopedic collection of demonstrations, puzzles, facts, and charts. There are even several short science-related plays. Many of the experiments are old standards, but there are some new gems such as trying to bat half a ball or imitating animal stances as if they were yoga positions. All of the demonstrations use common materials and include appropriate safety warnings. Activities are organized in a unique manner--by the amount of time and effort involved (quick, make time, and sequential experiments), and then further subdivided by subject area. A thorough listing of books, magazines, and videotapes is also included. As a result, this title is an excellent reference source for teachers and parents. Moreover, Bosak has done a wonderful job of connecting science to other topics, such as including a relevant Sioux fable in the environment section or viewing rubbings of tree barks and leaves as art. The only problem is with the design of the book, which is a mishmash of text-laden pages, black-ink illustrations (often featuring cutesy animals), and pages splattered with different styles of boxes and type fonts. The result is hard on the eyes. --Alan Newman, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"...belongs in every home, every classroom. The definitive motherlode book to turn children on to the adventure of science." -- Childsplay Magazine

"A gold mine of activities. Highly recommended!" -- California Classroom Science

"An innovative book . . . Youngsters will be intrigued by the exciting activities crammed into this book." -- Todays Parent

"Once in a while, a book comes along which everyone should have. Consider this a treasure whose time has come." -- Science Education International ICASE

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 515 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Canada (May 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590740709
• ISBN-13: 978-0590740708
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > How Things Work
  • #16 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Experiments & Projects
  • #17 in Books > Science & Math > Reference

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Leagues above most activity books, July 12, 2000

By 

Susan K. Perry "Susan K. Perry" (Los Angeles, author of LOVING IN FLOW (BunnyApe.com)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Science Is...: A source book of fascinating facts, projects and activities (Paperback)

I am so glad to discover this book is still available. It's far more comprehensive and intelligent than so many other activity books. Laid out clearly, with activities in various realms of knowledge that offer numerous variations so a parent could conceivably use this one book throughout a child's school years. I can't imagine a child not discovering the joys of science (broadly defined) when a parent introduces him or her to some of these delightful activities. The best thing about the book is that so many of the ideas don't require vast preparation, but can be done spur-of-the-moment.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best for quick, fun hands on science, May 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Science Is...: A source book of fascinating facts, projects and activities (Paperback)

I have used this book a thousand times!! It spans ages, learning styles, and settings. Chances are, you will see that science is fun. As an educator, I HIGHLY recommend it to other educators, especially those who would like stronger science component.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Comprehensive and Creative: Includes Unusual Activities, May 23, 2009

By 

Jan Peczkis "Scholar and Thinker" (Chicago IL, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Science Is...: A source book of fascinating facts, projects and activities (Paperback)

Unlike most other reviewers, I focus on the content of this book. There are several activities in this book which are unusual in that they are seldom mentioned in other books of this type. This includes backwards tic-tac-toe (where you try to prevent your opponent from getting three in a row), a demonstration of why astrology is not science, measuring the drying of a sponge by attaching it to a meter-as-lever, the construction of dinosaur-skeleton models out of pipe cleaners, and the development of estimation skills by having children estimate the number of chocolate bits in a chocolate-chip cookie and the number of dots on a page. There is a section on science-art that includes the use of squares to help children draw accurate sketches of the major anatomical parts of insects and birds.

More familiar experiments include those on magnets, batteries, sundials, soap bubbles, yeast feasts, marbles sunk into liquids of different viscosities, etc. Ready-to-use tabulated information is provided on such things as minerals, the constellations, the solar system, and the animal kingdom. World-search puzzles are also included. A page contains sketches of many types of animal tracks. Still another gives advice on attracting birds to a feeder. There is a whole section on activities related to recycling and the environment.

As if all the foregoing, and much more (literally hundreds of different activities), were not enough, there is also an extensive bibliography provided for further reading. I love creative teaching, and this book certainly fits the bill. As an experienced science teacher, I found this book to be one of the most comprehensive sources of information for science teachers.