Tops: Building and Experimenting with Spinning Toys (Boston Children's Museum Activity Book) by Bernie Zubrowski (1989-05-03)

Instructions for designing and building tops and yo-yos in different shapes and with various materials.

Grade 5-9-- The main purpose of this book is to promote fun--the enjoyment of constructing toys and then experimenting with them. Directions are given for building these toys in such a way that one characteristic of them can be changed, allowing experimenters to compare the behavior of two objects. As well as learning some physics about rotating bodies and optics, students will find ideas for science research investigations. Construction materials may be found in the home or purchased from hardware or craft shops. Directions and diagrams for assembly are clear, although using a knife to make a hole in wood seems more difficult than using a drill. Some activities requiring adult supervision and/or safety glasses are clearly noted. Books for this age group seldom have experiments this well designed with care for scientific rigor. Public and school libraries needing materials on science experiments, recreation, or handicrafts will want to make this book a first purchase. --Margaret M. Hagel, Norfolk Public Library System, Va. Junior High Up
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.