Best science experiment books for children according to redditors
We found 37 Reddit comments discussing the best science experiment books for children. We ranked the 18 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Interesting facts:
The hottest recorded temperature on the Earth's surface is 136F (57.8C) in El Azizia, Libya. This happened in 1922.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E2%80%98Aziziya
Supposedly their measurements were performed on an uncalibrated thermometer. Death Valley has the second highest, and possibly more legitimate record at 134F.
Ethiopia has the highest average annual temp at 94F (imagine almost every day being around that temperature).
EDIT: So after a bit of reading and delving into the wiki sources I have to say that a lot of this information came from this book. I cannot say how trustworthy a source this is, mostly because there is no works cited available.
It was also brought to my attention a few times that Texas is hot. Texas' average annual temperature is ~70F. Texas is hot because it is humid, and regardless, during the winter Texas is actually one of the nicest places I've ever lived (Austin).
If you mean near the anode of the battery between the two humps of wire, I don't think so. Looks like the reflection on the hump whizzing by the camera real fast. However, in an inductive load like a motor, if not handled, you can expect to see sparks when the circuit is broken.
See:
As for material for your son, I have a couple things I always recommend to people when they ask. (I volunteered at a local science museum where I live. Got this question a lot.)
An accessible medium is video. There are many, many fantastic shows around for kids interested in science:
Most of those can be found on YouTube!
Then there are more books than you could possible imagine. Even just on Amazon's top selling lists! Here are some that I remember growing up with (maybe I'm biased towards electromagnetism as a studying electrical engineer):
And, just because I'm on a roll here, I'm subscribed to a bunch of channels on YouTube centred on science:
Anyway, hopefully you'll have some fun with your son and maybe even learn something.
Actually, from what I understand, you can pretty much mail any object as long as it has enough postage on it for the weight and has a clearly written address on it. I used to have this wacky book when I was a kid that had all kinds of weird facts and projects in it. I think the front cover had a picture of the astronaut in the self propelling pack. It also had a packet of agar in it for some reason.
Edit: This is it http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1878257145
Board books :
Picture books:
Early readers:
Chapter books to read together in early elementary:
Chapter books for later elementary or middle school:
Am posting on phone so will be submitting and editing. This will be a long post.
The current definition only has one citation: The art of the catapult: build Greek ballista, Roman onagers, English trebuchets, and more ancient artillery by William Gurstelle (2004). If you find a different definition from another reliable source, I would strongly suggest that you go on the article's talk page and start a new discussion. Consensus can change, especially when backed by good references.
I had a quick look at various online dictionaries and found many different definitions, some of which are mentioning tension/torsion, others only talking about throwing stuff. The book cited also doesn't appear to be terribly authoritative to me, so I don't think it would require extraordinary efforts to change the definition.
You can of course be bold and edit the Catapult article directly, change the definition and include your (reliable) references. However, you'll need an account that is at least 4 days old and has more than 10 edits. Both the catapult and trebuchet articles are currently semi-protected because of frequent vandalism.
I would however recommend against this kind of unilateral change since this definition has been in use in the article for about 10 years. It doesn't mean that it is correct, but you will face resistance.
You should never hesitate to use an article's talk page to ask questions or propose changes, as long as you remember that they are not forums and should only be used to discuss the article's content.
Naw, was a decade ago. I took a diffraction grating from this and a regular digital camera, old telescope tube, and some razor blades to make a slit, and wrote some code. Pretty sure it was C# because that's what I was learning at the time. I think the code is gone -- I didn't bother to set up a github account or anything.
To do it right, I'd need a better difraction grating and a camera without an IR filter -- preferably without a bayer filter on it either. Or at least some sort of response curve for the bayer filter. When I figured out it'd be expensive to get something that gives quality results, I kind of drifted off to other projects.
Is this the [book] (https://www.amazon.com/Whoosh-Lonnie-Johnsons-Super-Soaking-Inventions/dp/1580892981/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1541503157&sr=8-1)? Would it be suitable for an 10 year old reader?
I think it's the Klutz Press Explorabook (one of my absolute favorite books as a kid!)
> Exploratorium
This is no help, really, but I remember having a Klutz book when I was younger that was the Exploratorium in book form and it just made me fall in love with the place, even though I would never get to go to the place no matter how much begging I did. I would do it if only for that childlike sense of wonder that a good science center can instill in you.
That is, if you like science and stuff.
This book might be of interest for you. I picked it up at Costco for my daughter, she's not old enough for it yet (16mo) but it looks like it will be a lot of fun.
I highly recommend the book!
I'd recommend two books, The art of the Catapult and The Big Book of Catapult and Trebuchet Plans.
That should at least get you started.
I think you're looking for Earthsearch or perhaps for Explorabook by the same author/publisher. They were both very popular in the '90s, and they're still great! I have them in my classroom for my students.
Was it the Explorabook? My friend had a copy of that growing up.
My daughter is only two so I haven't done anything with this book yet, but I had to grab it when I saw it at Costco.
I have flipped through it and it looks like there is a lots of good ideas, it also emphasizes the importance of taking notes and recording findings and all that good science stuff.
Was it perhaps from this book which I treasured as a child? http://www.amazon.com/Explorabook-Kids-Science-Museum-Klutz/dp/1878257145
Some of the target ages of those books are higher than what you're potentially looking for, but hopefully something in there could be what you need!
Go to the library and get some kids books on gardening. They'll probably have lots of ideas for projects and crafts to make it more interesting. She can learn all about seasonal crops, pests, soil, etc. and if she's directing the activities she'll be more interested.
I have [this book] (https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Nature-Book-Activities-Experiences/dp/1885593074?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0) in my classroom somewhere. I'll look tomorrow to see if there are any good ideas. Like others said, a worm composting bin would be fun. "Diary of a Worm" is a fun book to go along with that.
Building robots makes him decent at mechanics. Not smart, he never ever showed smarts, nobody ever talked about him being exceptionally intelligent etc.
I am a programmer by trade, I have built "robots" in my spare time ;-)
There are books on amazon for building robots with your kids after all: http://www.amazon.com/Robotics-DISCOVER-TECHNOLOGY-PROJECTS-Yourself/dp/1936749750/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1449828961&sr=8-14&keywords=build+robot#customerReviews
Admittedly not protocol droids, but we are not at the same level of technology either. So there.
He didn't survive his lava bath due to his strong will, he survived it, because the emperor hopped onto his shuttle with a medical team and assembled the best medical professionals he could find.
Vader and Anakin are not what you would call disciplined individuals.
Even Vader loses a couple of Star Destroyers because he follows the Millenium Falcon like an idiot into an Asteroid Belt. Why does he follow them? Becuase he stomps foot doesn't want them to get away. Which counts against his smarts as well.
He is being constantly manipulated and strung along by the emperor. People never get him. Vader is a boy, who was very talented in the force and fought way too young in a war. He turned dark side out of fear and he stays dark side out of fear and anger.
My son was (still is) certifiably obsessed with cars, like the makes and models you see driving down the road. He wasn't as into these two engines as I expected but they were still cute high quality toys:
Theo Klein Service Car Station
Build Your Own Engine Kit
Not engines, but we also got a lot of miles out those take apart type toys that come with their own drills as well as Auotomoblox.
These books are for much older kids, but they're awesome:
How Cars Work: The Interactive Guide
Car Science
Any books in the Dorling Kindersley series are great.
http://www.amazon.ca/Science-Encyclopedia-Dorling-JOANNA-Kindersley/dp/0756642965/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332634566&sr=1-2
www.amazon.ca/Dorling-Kindersley-Science-Encyclopedia/dp/0751356417/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332634566&sr=1-4
http://www.amazon.ca/Cool-Stuff-Exploded-Dorling-Kindersley/dp/0756673267/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332634605&sr=1-1
Any other books with exploded views are great.
More for when they're older but these books were amazing when I was a kid:
http://www.amazon.ca/Handy-Science-Answer-Book/dp/1578593212/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332634709&sr=1-2
Horrible science books are great too:
http://www.amazon.ca/Horrible-Science-Blood-Bones-Body/dp/0545993245/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332634757&sr=1-4
Big book of experiments are fun because you can read about them together at night and do them the next day. Definitely gets kids excited to do science and puts it in their head a little longer:
http://www.amazon.ca/Great-Science-Experiments-Dorling-Kindersley/dp/0756619181/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332634816&sr=1-1
There are bunch of other great resources too but I always found the best types of books are ones that are either very pictorial and visual, or ones that break complex subjects down into quick question and answer blocks. It's a great opportunity to learn, and to learn how to read, which I personally believe is the biggest key to being a great learner later in life.
Hi! I'm exclusively homeschooling my eleven year old and supplementing kindergarten with my five year old preschooler because she's ready and really enjoys doing it.
We are working our way through the first box of BOB books. We read them in bed together before breakfast and she keeps a learning journal (like her brothers) where she gets to fill in a shape when she completes a new book. She's doing really well so far and really likes that special alone time with Mom.
We read a new picture book from the library at while everyone has breakfast. Every one (including Dad) loves this. New favorites have been NOW and [MOST PEOPLE] (https://www.amazon.com/Most-People-Michael-Leannah/dp/0884485544/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540497351&sr=8-1&keywords=most+people).
I have been doing the fall science experiments in Janet Van Cleave's SCIENCE AROUND THE YEAR. The pinecone experiment was a ton of fun (though I think I was more into it than my kids).
We all love ART LAB FOR LITTLE KIDS. We've done four projects and I'm going to buy a copy of the book after my library check-out expires.
For Math I'm relying on the Kahn Academy Kids app. It's a treat for her still so I keep 'til after dinner. She picks a game then I pick a game.
We're at the library at least twice a week for either a library sponsored activity (like maker space) or a stem-themed story hour. In past weeks we've built bridges (for Billy Goats Gruff) and catapults (The Marshmallow Incident.)
We just finished Charlotte's Web as our bedtime read and started on Bunnicula for Halloween. It's been great fun to see the places where I can apply the same material to kindergartner and a fifth grader. It's really wonderful to have them have a shared experience of the material and then help them process it in age appropriate ways.
I learned about this stuff from this awesome book way back in the day. Really wish Klutz was still publishing stuff like that, but since they got acquired by scholastic they've let all my favorite childhood nerd books go out of print :(
See if they have a book like this or similar at your local library.
When I was in 4th grade or so I found this in a junk store. Nerddom was probably due that and The Way Things Work... also I had no friends so I needed something to keep occupied
I asked my wife for the Arduino kit with the book that has a bunch of projects THAT YOU CAN COMPLETE WITH JUST WHAT'S IN THE KIT. (I also have a Robots book with home projects, only to find that you need some motors and solar panels. I'm just getting started, I don't have motors and solar panels laying around.)
My birthday is in a few days, so I hope it's cool.
I'd go for the Academy of Sciences. I remember it's huge with lots of great exhibits, like a planetarium. Exploratorium is pretty good too, I even have the book.
I got A Kid's Science Museum in a Book when I was younger. It might be a little old for a 5 year old, but it is a great introduction to many aspects of science including lenses, optical illusions, growing some agar gel (if you buy a new book, it would probably be gone in a used one) and other fun science things for kids. Would recommend.
What sort of science book are you thinking? Animals, space, DIY science experiments?
Here's a great general science book from National Geographic: http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Kids-Why-Everything/dp/1426320965/ They also have a great animal encyclopedia and a "weird but true" series that would definitely appeal to a 9-year-old boy :)
For science experiments, you could try http://www.amazon.com/Great-Science-Experiments-Neil-Ardley/dp/1465428267/ or http://www.amazon.com/TIME-Science-Experiments-step-step/dp/1603208933/
Also, this is probably way more info than you want, but here's the annual recommendations of the National Science Teachers Association: http://www.nsta.org/publications/ostb/
That seems offline familiar, we may have done the same deal and the dog mouth memory, maybe was from a book... Possibly this one: Explorabook: A Kid's Science Museum in a Book
I also had a cool little kit that allowed you to make stuff. Had wheels and a little motor, etc. That was fun to play with.
Here it is: http://www.amazon.com/The-Way-Things-Work-Kit/dp/078946506X
Your book, Big Blast of Science, had a huge influence on me as a kid. Thank you for not talking down to young people and encouraging critical thinking.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0201608642
I liked Bill Nye The Science Guy as a kid...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0201608642
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0786805439
I, too, had a copy of explorabook as a kid.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1878257145?pc_redir=1405396976&robot_redir=1
Dude, I own this book. A catapult is nothing more than a ballistic device that is able to launch projectiles a long distance without the use of explosives. Hence why a trebuchet is a type of catapult. Just look at the title: "The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient Artillery"
So when people say "a trebuchet is better than a catapult" you're effectively saying "a catapult is better than a catapult," which... is odd.