Cosmic Science: Over 40 Gravity-Defying, Earth-Orbiting, Space-Cruising Activities for Kids (Paperback)

~ (Author) "All trips start at the beginning..." (more)
Key Phrases: lunar walker, wider straw, cardboard arm, Big Dipper, Hubble Space Telescope, North Star (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5. These demonstrations and activities won't propel young scientists off the planet, but they do, simply and often artfully, explore our universe's structure and underlying physical principles, as well as some of the challenges facing space travelers. Using such materials as toothpicks, rubber bands, and drinking straws, Wiese puts gravity, Newton's first law (inertia), the gyroscopic effect, the Doppler effect, and other phenomena through their paces. He explores the effects of zero-g on astronauts' bones and eating habits and provides directions for making a balloon rocket, a cardboard robot arm, a vinegar-and-baking-soda launcher, and even a very small comet, all with helpful line drawings and, where appropriate, boldface cautionary advice. Some projects, such as one that involves growing seedlings on a revolving turntable for three weeks, do veer toward the impractical, or, like "Postcards from Another Planet," are more spin than substance, but they are balanced by a fair number of winners: unroll an entire roll of toilet tissue, call each square a tenth of an astronomical unit, place markers where each planet would go, and voila "Toilet Paper Planets." A low-tech companion to books like David McKay's Space Science Projects for Young Scientists (Watts, 1986).?John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 4^-6. In an engaging style, this book introduces astronomy and space technology through a series of down-to-earth projects. Wiese demonstrates that it doesn't take high-tech equipment to play around with the principles of gravity, orbits, living in space, travel to the moon and the planets, and observation of the stars. Each activity includes a list of materials, a procedure to follow, and an explanation of what's happening and how it applies to space science. Line drawings illustrate the text. A good resource for elementary school science teachers and for middle-grade students seeking simple science fair projects. Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (April 10, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471158526
• ISBN-13: 978-0471158523
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,141,113 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Educators, March 26, 2000

By A Customer

As a new teacher, I am a firm believer of hands-on activities; as the saying goes, "I do, and I understand." While beginning a unit on space, I wanted to make it as concrete as I could, and my kids are now able to understand some very abstract concepts - thanks to the activities in this book. Most of these activities can be modified for students of all levels; for higher-level students, teachers could get into inertia, air pressure,... My kids really loved the activity that proves how rockets work. All of the activites use materials that you already have at home.