Yikes! Wow! Yuck! Fun Experiments for Your First Science Fair (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–6—The experiments in this collection are based on everyday things in students' lives, such as Jell-O, potatoes, cereal, foggy mirrors, and exploding soda. Each one has clear, step-by-step directions and culminating questions. Ways to expand and change the projects are also included. Jokes are interspersed to add a bit of fun, and safety tips are included in the introduction and experiments designated "Adult Supervision Required." The illustrations offer a glimpse of what the experiment will include. There are many science-fair books available, but this one clearly introduces the steps necessary to prepare an entry for such an event.—Christine Markley, Washington Elementary School, Barto, PA
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From Booklist

This colorfully illustrated book offers practical advice on preparing and presenting experiments and instructions for two dozen science projects. Each two-page project opens with a line designed to reel kids. For instance, the project involving eggs dropped from a second-story window (after packing them in boxes with Styrofoam peanuts, starch peanuts, or zip-top bags of air) begins with “Want an excuse to break some eggs? Do it for science!” The introductory section on designing experiments and presenting conclusions is sound and the projects, illustrated with two pictures per double-page spread, provide enough detail to guide students through the steps and help them understand what is happening. A glossary is appended. As the title suggests, dramatic effect seems a high priority here, but students will find the book an appealing, useful guide to some uncomplicated science projects. Grades 4-7. --Carolyn Phelan

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579909302
• ISBN-13: 978-1579909307
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #468,249 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yikes, the Exploding Soda experiment is in here! Mentos and Diet Coke ~ Wow! Yuck!, May 9, 2009

By	D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Science fair experiments can be a lot of fun, but if you've never actually done an experiment, except for perhaps a classroom one with your friends, this book might be a great help to you. There are several steps you need to be aware of even before you set up your experiment at a fair. This book tells you what a science fair experiment is, how to choose an experiment, how to research it and how to develop a hypothesis. Warning, warning, warning! Even before you begin you will have to take a look at the safety instructions you will need to follow for each and every experiment you try.

For the actual experiment in this book you need to first learn about the construction, or experiment design (the independent variable, the dependent variable and the controls), the procedure, how to record your data and how to draw a conclusion. This book has a very comprehensive section on preparing for the fair and discusses everything from writing the report, making graphs, putting your display together and talking to the judges. There are twenty-four spectacular experiments in this book. Have you ever seen the YouTube video where the guys make an awesome Diet Coke and Mentos fountain? The Exploding Soda experiment is in here!

This science experiment book wasn't just slapped together. It is very thorough and each experiment has step by step instructions. There is a listed of needed ingredients and a conclusion. Then the author then asks the student to think more about the experiment by asking more questions and suggesting reasons for varying results. This book is illustrated, but the individual steps are not visual (the student will need to read carefully). In the back of the book there are a glossary and an index. This is a very popular book and I'm sure once kids see the Exploding Soda experiment in the table of contents . . . well, let's just say that even if you're not going to have a science fair, you can still have a yikes, wow, yuk experience experimenting at home!