Science Crafts for Kids: 50 Fantastic Things to Invent & Create

The authors of the popular Nature Crafts for Kids present a new book with 50 hands-on science projects for kids. All in full-color, the book brilliantly shows an entire year's worth of things to bring out the artist and the scientist in the 8-to-12 set. Accompanying many projects are easy-to-understand sidebars that explain the scientific principles and facts the projects are demonstrating.

Grade 5-7-This colorful, hands-on guide introduces a number of different branches of science. The projects range from the fairly simple (clay pot wind chimes, pinwheel helicopter) to the complex (model grist mill, powered model boats, xylophone). The detailed instructions include a list of materials needed and explanatory line drawings. The activities are divided into four sections: air, water, earth, and fire. Extensive informational sidebars explain the principles involved. Attractive, full-color photographs show a variety of actively involved, enthusiastic kids. However, only 8 of the 50 projects listed in the contents have a "needs adult help" symbol, yet many of them require the use of a saw, razor knife, and/or drill and could be dangerous without adult supervision. Judith Hahn's How Science Works (Readers Digest, 1991) is another excellent source with sound scientific information and more adequate adult supervision advisories.
Eunice Weech, M.L. King Elementary School, Urbana, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.