Yikes! Wow! Yuck! Fun Experiments for Your First Science Fair

by Elizabeth Snoke Harris, Nora Thompson (Illustrations)

Kids are participating in science fairs earlier than ever—and what better way to get them started than with this exciting new guide designed especially for younger children? It’s part of Lark’s successful Science Fair program, and it makes fairs fun, accessible, and educational for early primary grade students. In addition to a super “Official All You Need to Know to Do a Great Science Fair Project” section, this fully-illustrated collection features 25 curriculum-appropriate activities to choose from, plus guidance on how to perform experiments, analyze the data, and draw conclusions. And kids will love the projects, which include preserving jack-o-lanterns, studying the domino effect, making fruit and vegetable dyes, spinning eggs, and doing some rubber-band bungee.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Beth has been involved in science education for over 20 years in the classroom, research facilities and museums. She loves sharing fun experiments with anyone who will listen and with whatever is handy. When she's not working on science curriculum projects or leading STEM field trips at the local roller rink, she serves as web master for science education organizations. Her other hobbies include playing with her kids, gardening, and beekeeping in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid book for older elementary school and middle school students for applying the scientific method. As advertised, it's set up for science fair projects. This is a little different than Maker books or 'at home experiment' type books. It really focuses on the Scientific Method - asking a question, researching the science involved, testing a hypothesis, controlling variables, analyzing results. There's a great introduction actually breaking all these things down. This book focuses on actually applying science, not just observing or tinkering. Not that the other books are bad - there's just a slightly different focus in how the experiments and projects are set-up.

The experiments themselves cover a range of science fields. There are physics problems, anatomy and biology, chemistry, engineering... Lots to play with and test. Some of the experiments are classics - the egg drop and growing crystals, for example. Some were ones I hadn't seen as often, so that's a plus too. Overall, a fun assortment to play with. And I love how each project has sections on looking closer at what happened, and on further questions to ask. I love seeing extension projects - keep kids asking questions!

Overall, a great addition to school libraries and to public libraries with a busy school-age population.

[Hoang Shin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most young children are naturally fascinated with all things yucky and gross, so this book of experiments is perfect for the classroom. I enjoy finding books that show how we can make science more of a fun and hands on experience. I think I could use this book in my classroom to inspire my students to get into science. I may even let them vote on one experiment at a time to do as a class, and maybe try to do as many as we can throughout the year. When students have more of a say in what they learn, they are more likely to become more active participants in their own learning.

Literacy is incorporated through the use of descriptive words to describe experiments and observations. Students can practice writing in a more scientific style, and incorporate new science vocabulary learned from researching and conducting experiments.