Temperate Forest Experiments: 8 Science Experiments in One Hour or Less

Last Minute Science Projects with Biomes

by Robert Gardner

Have you waited until the last minute to start your science project? Don’t worry, award-winning author Robert Gardner has you covered! Each experiment in TEMPERATE FOREST 8 SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS IN ONE HOUR OR LESS follows the scientific method, and can be completed in an hour or less. Explore leaf anatomy, use a tree’s shadow to measure its height, and find out how old that tree is. Most experiments also include ideas for science fair projects, in case you have more time than you originally thought.

48 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert Gardner is a retired high school science teacher (physics, chemistry, physical sciences). In 2010, he received the lifetime Achievement Award in Hands-On Science Writing from AAAS/Subaru Science Books and Films. He is familiar with students who wait to the last minute to start their science projects. While this book is particularly appealing to last-minute scientists, other readers will also find eight experiments, which focus on the temperate forest biome and that can be done in an hour or less, intriguing. Included is an explanation of the scientific method, and how it can be applied to use a tree’s shadow to determine its height, how to discover the age of a tree, and an exploration of leaf anatomy. Seven additional experiments which take two or more hours to complete are also included. These explore the density of hardwood versus softwood, how trees lose water in warm weather, and the chromatography of leaf pigments.

The table of contents breaks the experiments down by the amount of time (30 minutes or less, one hour or less, two hours or more) it takes to complete the projects. Last-minute readers will find the glossary, lists for further reading, and safety and science fair helpful if they are running late. Most projects include ideas for more science fair projects springboarding from the original experiment, clear directions and lists of materials and equipment needed to carry out the plans.