Pranklab: 25 Hilarious Scientific Practical Jokes for Kids (Fun STEM Activities, Prank Book for Kids) - Softcover

Ferrie, Chris; LaGinestra, Byrne; Fairclough, Wade David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1728223741 ISBN 13: 9781728223742

Publisher: Sourcebooks Explore, 2021

Synopsis

Explosive soda. Cheating dice. Mind control. Pranklab delivers science-powered pranks that make learning wildly fun for kids!

Created by a quantum physicist and two science educators, Pranklab is a STEM prank book like no other. Designed for kids ages 8–12, it turns everyday materials into laugh-out-loud experiments―blending hands-on fun with real science. With activities like Fountain Dew, Hunger Explosion, and Mind Control Elevator, kids explore pressure, chemical reactions, statistics, and more.

Inside the book, you'll find:

• 25 science-based pranks using household items
• Step-by-step guides and colorful illustrations
• Easy-to-understand science explanations
• Bonus trivia and fun facts to keep kids engaged

For curious minds, prank lovers, and future scientists, Pranklab is where science gets seriously silly.

About this title

About the Authors

Chris Ferrie is an award-winning physicist and Senior Lecturer for Quantum Software and Information at the University of Technology Sydney. He has a Masters in applied mathematics, BMath in mathematical physics and a PhD in applied mathematics. He lives in Australia with his wife and children.

Byrne LaGinestra is a science communicator known for his unique approach to education. He has a diverse body of work from textbooks, children’s books and adult non-fiction to public presentations and podcasts. Based in Australia, his work has received widespread recognition both nationally and internationally. He has helped teachers, students, and enthusiasts alike learn to love science.

Wade David Fairclough is an Australian author and educator. His work has been nominated for multiple awards, such as the Australian Podcast of the Year―Science and Technology and has also charted on iTunes Comedy Podcast in Australia, Europe, and North America. He is the coauthor of Pranklab: 25 Hilarious Scientific Practical Jokes for Kids and 42 Reasons to Hate the Universe (And One Reason Not To).

Reviews

Gr 6 Up—This book by Fairclough, Chris Ferrie, and Byrne LaGinestra blends lessons on science with instructions on how to play practical jokes on friends and family. Guidelines about pranking others (don't ruin their clothes; make it fun; clean up your mess) are shared in the introduction. The 25 pranks are organized into four sections: "Making a Mess," "Wanna Bet?," "Clean Classics," and "Messing with a Mind." Some experiments are silly, some are messy, and others might be a little tricky. Each prank is covered in four spreads. The first page rates the prank according to who would make the perfect victim; there's also a rating scale that determines how much of a mess is involved, the danger level, funniness, and science. Some include a difficulty rating. Readers will appreciate a shopping list (most items can be found in the household pantry) and a section for notes to a "future self" on what worked and what didn't. The authors then guide pranksters through several steps, from start to finish. The third spread provides an explanation of how or why it worked. The last spread offers "Next Level" ideas, additional science information, and a "prank review." "Did you know?" comments are sprinkled throughout. The illustrations are digitally rendered. Some pranks are easily explained; others require math calculations to show how the probabilities worked. A lengthy glossary defines in-depth science and math vocabulary. This title is best used with adult guidance. VERDICT The book's concept is encouraging and playful, but it is not a text that most kids will seek out at a library. Purchase if additional funds are available to upgrade science experiment collections.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elem. Sch., San Antonio

Edition details

• Publisher: Sourcebooks Explore
• Publication date: 2021
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1728223741
• ISBN 13: 9781728223742
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224