Simple Earth Science Experiments With Everyday Materials

Gr. 6^-8, younger with supervision. Loeschnig's vivid language, rich in wordplay, and his clear, informative presentation may inspire children interested in science to turn off the TV and try some hands-on experimentation. Although the presentations do not reflect true scientific methodology and analysis, the material is well organized, with each activity divided into sections: "You need," "What to do," "What happens," and "Why." A wealth of activities and demonstrations, with many classic classroom ones, are presented, touching on everything from earthquakes and glaciers to time, soil, gravity, and conservation. The headings for chapters and activities are appealing (though not particularly informative), and illustrations, which are sometimes humorous, are plentiful. A good resource for parents and teachers, and children in the target age group will be able to perform most of the tasks safely without direct adult supervision. Ilana Steinhorn