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The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science: 64 Daring Experiments for Young Scientists [Hardcover]

Sean Connolly
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)

List Price: $12.95
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Book Description

September 24, 2008 9 and up
What could be more fun for kids than to have the kind of rip-roaring good time that harkens back to pre-video game, pre-computer days? Introducing 64 valuable science experiments that snap, crackle, pop, ooze, crash, boom, and stink! From Marshmallows on Steroids to Home-Made Lightning, the Sandwich Bag Bomb to Giant Air Cannon, The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science awakens kids' curiosity while demonstrating scientific principles like osmosis, air pressure, and Newton's Third Law of Motion.

Kids will love performing these experiments, which use common household ingredients and equipment, in front of an audience or for themselves (though many require adult supervision). Entries are categorized into seven chapters according to scientific theme and are written in a simple-to-follow recipe format. each includes a detailed explanation of the scientific principle involved and a "Take Care!" section with special tips. The book's design and illustrations recall the pulp fiction look of science magazines from the days when space travel was still considered sci-fi, while the author's voice is wry and a bit conspiratorial. He assumes his readers are clever and never coddles them. Drop Mentos into a bottle of diet soda and stand back as a geyser erupts! Launch a rocket made from a film canister! Encase your little brother in a giant soap bubble! For young scientists—and the young at heart—this book is a blast. Literally.

Frequently Bought Together

The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science: 64 Daring Experiments for Young Scientists + The Book of Potentially Catastrophic Science: 50 Experiments for Daring Young Scientists + The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math: 24 Death-Defying Challenges for Young Mathematicians
Price for all three: $32.48

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sean Connolly has written more than 50 books for children and adults. A father of three, he's ideally suited to explain the nuts and bolts of these fantastic experiments.

Product Details

  • Age Range: 9 and up
  • Hardcover: 205 pages
  • Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (September 24, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9780761150206
  • ISBN-13: 978-0761150206
  • ASIN: 076115020X
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,151 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

This is a great book for kids to do science experiments. David Wright  |  7 reviewers made a similar statement
A great addition to my science classroom library. Bob Nicholson  |  4 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
53 of 54 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars fool the kids January 6, 2009
Format:Hardcover
I am a science teacher, and I'm always looking for ideas for demonstrations which will appeal do different levels of students. Totally irresponsible science is light-hearted and breezy, with a good variety of activities. Fortunately the definition of irresponsible is pretty generous; a ten year old with microwave privileges can do most of these activities without too much adult intervention, so the kid will get to do the activity her/himself (which is a lot better than watching your dad/teacher do all the fun/tricky parts). The yuk factor is there for the showman, and the explanations are aimed towards the interested 10 year old. It kept my cub scout troop entertained and I think they tried a bunch of the activities at home as well. Worth the investment.
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26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun science experiments February 28, 2009
By Mama C
Format:Hardcover
The experiments were simple and fun. It was also great in that the author tells you how long the experiment will take and whether there are any risks or danger. At the end of each experiment he describes the scientific reason for the results.
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun experiences with science February 17, 2009
Format:Hardcover
My cub scouts and my grandson are having fun with these experiments. They are short and use common household items so the cost is minimal.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars It's OK. June 13, 2012
By Jimbo
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is a well written and illustrated book. However, I thought the experiments were a bit beneath my 8 year old. Mento's and Coke together make a geyser, soak a chicken bone in vinegar and it becomes flexible, fill a balloon with water and you can pass it over a flame. Most of these things are something you can spend a short time preparing, but even less time observing the results. I was expecting something that would be a "toy" or something you could spend a bit more time on. I thought many of these things were passive experiments that you create and then walk away from for a bit. Perhaps I should have looked at the description closer, but I wouldn't necessarily call these 64 experiments daring as the book does. I guess it's just not what I expected.

Whatever the case, there are some good nuggets in the book and I do think a budding scientist may enjoy several of these experiments.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By T
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Always at a loss what to give our nephew for a Christmas present, came across this book at a local hobby store and found a better price on Amazon. I thought it'd be really fun as the science experiments require stuff usually found around the house! I also thought it'd get a kid away from computer games,nurture some science exploration, and avoid the "gift card" commercialization of Christmas giving! Well...not. The kid sorta threw it to the side like..."another loser gift for Christmas" attitude. I don't know if it's because he's 11 and already passed this, or just a Playstation/Wii guy, but this was definitely not a good gift for him. (As a MOM I would buy this for MY kids if I was still at that stage in the game. I'm a Gram already though so would consider it for my own grandkids now and do the experiments with them myself). I WISH parents would nurture this kind of hands on learning more often versus letting kids sit at pc/tv games, but...oh well.

As for the book itself, I think it was nicely written, fun and silly drawings to keep kids interested and amused, short and sweet directions, easy to find materials, real science theories... and I pictured it being a real hit. Can't figure it out : /
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Sensational Science Stuff January 6, 2011
Format:Hardcover
I like to do quick, easy, and fun experiments with my preschool through first grade aged kids. This book is AMAZING. Don't leave Amazon without having it in your shopping cart!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful surprise. July 2, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this for my nephew, though it was with reservation. I love books but he doesn't, and I've wasted a lot of money on books he's never bothered to open.

Saw him yesterday, and the first thing he and his father (also not a reader) wanted to tell me about was this book! I had even forgotten I'd sent it, and they didn't want to talk about all the other cool toys and gadgets I've sent since then, they wanted to talk about this. Apparently, they've been working their way through the book and have enjoyed it more than they thought they'd ever enjoy "just a book".

I did manage to sneak a look through it and it does a very good job of making science feel like fun and not a learning experience. They've certainly learned a lot without realizing it. A common problem with books like these is that the dramatic experiments tend to be too dangerous for a book like this and the experiments that get selected don't seem to do much. They've done a fantastic job of picking experiments with a high payoff. Either you feel like you accomplished something, you ended up with something very cool at the end of it, or it does something exciting. All this and none of the ingredients are terribly difficult to find even in a small town. I can remember books like this from my youth that had impossible experiments because you couldn't get the chemicals you needed.

Overall, it's just a complete win and in a very tough category to boot!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book! February 13, 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I picked this up because I found the layout and design of the book enticing...and discovered that it's a really fun book for kids (and adults)! My 8 year old paged through the whole thing, earmarking experiments he wanted to try. Most can be done with things already around the house and if something does need to be purchased, can be picked up at the grocery store. I think it would make a great gift with a few of the required "ingredients."
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun!
My 8 year old and I have done a few of these and its good fun to see the magic of science through a kids eyes. Read more
Published 7 days ago by JK
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!!!
This is a great book for kids to do science experiments. Can't wait to do these with the kids! Thanks
Published 20 days ago by David Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun for the whole family.
There are tons of awesome experiments in this book. Daddy and son, Mommy and daughter... any combo or all together. Read more
Published 1 month ago by SAHM of 2
4.0 out of 5 stars Great for Science Fairs
This book has so many great ideas and easy to follow instructions, it took all the stress out of finding a project for the science fair. Read more
Published 2 months ago by PepsiJedi
2.0 out of 5 stars Not for the classroom teacher
I am a elementary classroom teacher, and I was looking for some relatively easy, no brainer experiments that could highlight the scientific method. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Laurie
4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not Great
I purchased this book to conduct experiments with my nieces and nephews. It is laid out in a manner where it is simple and a kid can follow the instructions. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Dan Loftus
4.0 out of 5 stars Epicness in all ways
my son loves it! 4 stars because some of the items are hard to find, but lots of great experiments!
Published 5 months ago by Liberty 2
4.0 out of 5 stars Good as gold
This will be a lot of fun with the kids! Some experiments are particularly interesting and should grab their attention! Thanks!!!
Published 5 months ago by Daniel Whitaker
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Irresponsible science
A great addition to my science classroom library.
The wilder the idea, the more the kids like it
It helps capture the students imagination and makes science inquiry even... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Bob Nicholson
4.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait to learn with the kids!
I asked for this book as a stocking stuffer for Christmas for myself. I have 3 children (8,6,4) that I know will love doing these experiments with each learning different things... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Charisse Moore
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