Science Stunts: Fun Feats of Physics - Hardcover

Brown, Jordan D.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 162354064X ISBN 13: 9781623540647

Publisher: Charlesbridge, 2016

Synopsis

DO try this at home!
 
Science Stunts will start a chain reaction of fun and experimentation outside the lab. Readers will be amazed and delighted as they try magic tricks that are based in important physics concepts such as gravity, inertia, magnetism, sound vibrations, and more. Narrated by a humorous science showman, Dr. Dazzleberry (known to his fans as "Dr. Dazz"), readers go on a journey through many amazing scientific discoveries.  Amusing, edifying commentary from cartoon versions of Newton, Galileo, and Einstein inspire student scientist to experiment with glee.
  
An appendix and short bios of the physicists featured provide fascinating facts about the scientists' lives and achievements.


"Magical science that's amazing, astounding, and sure to appeal to middle-grade and middle school readers."
-Kirkus Reviews

About this title

About the Author

Jordan D. Brown has written award-winning books, articles, and websites for children, teachers, and parents. His clients include Scholastic, Sesame Workshop, TIME for Kids, and Thirteen/WNET. His nonfiction work includes Robo World, a biography of a robot designer (Joseph Henry Press); his children's fiction includes Just Kidding! and Animal E.R. Brown has written science articles, games, and humorous songs about astronomy, paleontology, marine biology, and much more for the American Museum of Natural History's kids website, OLogy. Brown has also served as Educational Consultant for a variety of preschool children's shows, including The Mr. Men Show (Cartoon Network), Dinosaur Train (PBS), My Friend Rabbit (NBC), and Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends (Nickelodeon).

Reviews

Gr 3–7—Educational consultant Brown's collection of hands-on science books continues with these 25 experiments on gravity, motion, temperature, magnets, sound, light, and electricity. The book is narrated by Dr. Dazz, a cartoon physicist and magician. He is accompanied by three cartoon sidekicks (Galileo Galilei, Sir Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein), who explain how each of the experiments works. Each activity includes a description, a list of required props, and a numbered list of instructions and ends with an explanation of the history and science behind the stunt. The activities range from a tea bag rocket to a straw oboe. Cartoon drawings of a diverse cast of children demonstrating the experiments liven the text and clearly illustrate concepts and instructions. Readers are presented with safety rules and tips in the introduction and reminded of them of them throughout the book. In addition, experiments requiring adult assistance are noted. VERDICT Brown's humorous and upbeat presentation will appeal to readers and would be a worthwhile resource for classrooms and public libraries.—Maren Ostergard, King County Library System, Issaquah, WA

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The Magic of Science and the Science of Magic
 
“Magic’s just science that we don’t understand yet.”
            —Arthur C. Clarke, writer and inventor.
 
“If you’re scientifically literate, the world looks very different to you.”
            —Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist.
 
            I’ve loved doing science experiments since I was little. When I was about ten, my parents encouraged this passion by taking me to science museums, such as the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto and the Exploratorium in San Francisco. I had a marvelous time pressing buttons, lifting levers, cranking gears, creating sparks, and so much more. Around that age, I also became very interested in magic and loved to perform card tricks, make balls float, and cause coins to vanish. I even performed shows at birthday parties as the Amazing Nadroj (my first name backward) and the Great Jordini (after my hero, Houdini). So, many years later, when I was asked to write a book for kids on physics that featured entertaining “magical” experiments, I jumped at the chance.
            What is physics, anyway? It’s a branch of science that explores topics such as motion, energy, magnetism, electricity, light, and sound. Physicists study itty-bitty things, like atoms, as well as super big objects, like stars, planets, and even galaxies. Physicists ask mind-blowing questions such as, “What if there were no gravity?” “What if you could travel at the speed of light?” and “What would happen if I dropped this watermelon off a tall building?”
            As you play around with physics in this book, you’ll learn some amazing science-based tricks and experiments that you can share with your friends and family. I also hope that you’ll enjoy showing off what you learn in “the Science Behind the Stunts.”
            It’s time to turn things over to the host of this book, a curious and enthusiastic scientist and showman whose enthusiasm for physics is unmatched. I present to you the one, the only . . . Dr. Dazz!

Edition details

• Publisher: Charlesbridge
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 162354064X
• ISBN 13: 9781623540647
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Owsley Anthony
• Number of pages: 80