Magnets (Science Lab Equipment and Safety)

A magnet is a rock or piece of metal that creates a magnetic field. This is an invisible field that lets magnets pull certain types of metal toward themselves. Learn more in Magnets, a title in the Science Lab Equipment and Safety series.

Gr 3–5—These books are packed with information on the development of various types of lab equipment and their uses. A time line shows the history of each tool and one of its early developers. Diagrams and explanations of how the tool works and is used in the lab are accompanied by captioned photographs. A review of the scientific method precedes a discussion of experiments that use the equipment, and there is a suggested activity for readers to try. Lightbox access codes offer audio narration, pop-up definitions for glossary terms, embedded High-Def video clips, and printable PDF activities. Web links within Lightbox take readers to curated, child-safe online resources. A multiple choice quiz with answer key is available within the back matter of each book and as a PDF. VERDICT A class subscription to Lightbox would make it even easier to use, but the individual titles function well as stand-alone purchases.