Three Children’s Environmental Books

Review by Fred Stoss Research Associate, Energy, Environment, and Resources Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6335. USA. TEL: 615-574-0390. FAX: 615-574-2232. VanCleave, Janice. ANIMALS. GRAVITY. MOLECULES. Spectacular Science Projects (Series). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1993. Animals: 88 pp. US$9.95 ISBN: 0-471-55052-3, Gravity: 88 pp. US$9.95 ISBN: 0-471-55050-7, Molecules: 88 pp. US$9.95 ISBN: 0-471-55054-X. Acid-free paper. John Wiley & Sons has published three new books in a SPECTACULAR SCIENCE PROJECTS collection in its SCIENCE FOR EVERY KID Series. The three-book series provides a total of 60 science projects for students from 8 to 12 years old, though some of the older children may find some of the exercises subdued. The three books are simply titled, Animals, Gravity, and Molecules. Each project is based on simple scientific principles and requiring low-cost supplies commonly found around the house or at the grocery store. The books share a common introduction explaining the purpose and design of science fair projects, and serves as a good overview of expectations. These introductions provide brief guidelines for putting a science project together: constructing a three-panel on which to display your project, constructing and maintaining a journal to take notes and record observations, practicing an oral presentation, and what criteria judges will be looking for in competitive fairs. I have served as a judge for a number of regional science fair competitions and I emphasize what I feel is the most important aspect presented in these introductions – time management. The budding scientist must allow enough time for their project. As author VanCleave tells, trying to assemble an overnight project results in frustration, and you cheat yourself out of the fun of being a science detective. Solving a scientific mystery, like solving a detective mystery, requires planning and careful collecting of facts. I add two personal observations: I have seen many otherwise excellent project ideas downgraded out of competitive range for the very apparent lack of adequate preparation in performing and presenting the project. More importantly careful allocation of time instills a discipline that is needed to pursue quality scientific endeavors at any level. Each of the books’ projects are designed in a cookbook-style, including a list of materials, a suggested sequence of actions, and a format for conducting the experiment. Each project also contains a et’s explore section which expands the project by asking additional questions and observations, adjusting the procedures and observing the new results. A Check It Out section provides a list of further readings and resource for the particular project. ANIMALS is a basic introduction to zoology. The book’s projects explore the senses and physiology related to animals and provide a rather good description of many of the general principles underlying the study of biology – measuring reaction times in willing volunteers, determining why animals cool themselves and how they keep warm, making your own fossils – all explained in simple and stimulating hands-on activities. GRAVITY is an introductory lesson in one of the most basic laws of physics. These experiments have been designed to teach the concepts of gravitational force and speed. Topics included in this book are of a unique observational nature – how and why objects hang, how a balance works, how gravity can create energy, and how to measure the G-force in an elevator ride!