In term 1 at school kids are learning important writing skills. Its all about the procedure: Materials and Method. You could write a procedure about anything, recipes, craft or science. We love science so, science experiments for us.
If you check the non-fiction section at Brisbane libraries around #507, you will find cool science books exploding with colourful and messy investigations!
These three books are loaded with fun stuff to try and to challenge the brain, with varying levels of difficulty and mess alert. If you are ready to explore the principles of science with your little one, get some food colouring and you are set, because its the ones that require the messy colour that capture their attention first.
Prepare to get Stained, Splashed and Sticky!
Rueben Meerman is the Surfing Scientist, and don’t be deceived by this small book which is not colourful inside. There are 40 cool science tricks and each experiment is over two pages. First, the method is explained over 4 black and white, but clear photos. The next page has an easy to understand scientific explanation, followed by some science words and facts. Find really cool demonstrations of air pressure, density, swelling wood and friction, just to name a few. Learn some and use them as cool party tricks to impress!
At the end of the book, Ruben has added pages of very interesting Wave, Beach & Ocean Animal Facts – The world’s largest eyes are the size of a beach ball and guess who they belong to? There are pointers on how to keep your experiments safe and a list of equipment needed for tricks in this book. Finally, a page of Cool Websites to check out. This is my favourite book out of all three.
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Speedy Science, edited by Angela Royston, has around 70 scientific experiments. The foreward encourages budding minds to think and work like a scientist. Lots of hands-on science work here, like charting seed growth, checking bone strength, observing light and making electricity. The projects are guaranteed to keep a serious STEM enthusiast occupied for hours.
Each activity has a What happened tab with questions and explanations designed to challenge the creative mind to find answers and think of more questions, which is exactly what science is all about. At the back, find a two-page glossary of scientific terms and an index. This book would be the perfect gift for an upper primary child.
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Steam Play & Learn by Ana Dziengel is the book that primary schoolers would find most attractive. Three words – Frozen coloured goop! Involves food colouring, cornstarch and ice cube trays!! Find instructions on page 8. At the beginning there is a letter to parents and teachers, explaining how best to use this book. The 20 projects are divided into easy, medium & difficult, and are wonderful activities for toddlers and lower primary kids to build confidence around science.
I love the model of Newton’s Cradle made out of paddle pop sticks, string and marbles. We tried the Citrus Volcano, which is simple yet satisfyingly colourful, explosive and messy. A great book to instil creativity and innovation in your tiny tot.
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The added benefit of getting non-fiction books in the area of your child’s interest is not only that they will be engaged in the pictures, facts and activities, but also they will be reading, and anything that has them reading is great!
?What is your favourite science experiment you have done with your child??
Suggested age: Suitable for Toddler-Lower primary-Upper primary. Recommended for a confident reader.a
Try dancing sultanas in fizzy lemonade. That’s a great one for little ones!