Science on the Loose: Amazing Activities and Science Facts You'll Never Believe

by Helaine Becker, Claudia Davila (Illustrator)

Infused with Helaine Becker’s trademark wit and irrepressible energy, Science on the Loose encourages young readers to release their inner scientist so that they can think, do, and learn in the most entertaining way possible. Whether it’s to test density in fruit, determine dominant genes, or make slimy goo, each experiment follows accepted scientific procedure, is easy to conduct, can be safely performed using ordinary household materials, and makes for a satisfying, surprising adventure in science. Each experiment features a “What’s Going On?” component that explains the science behind the results in a clear and concise way, so even when an experiment just feels like silly fun, children are learning about chemistry, climate change, genes, the senses, photosynthesis, the scientific method — even Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. From fooling our senses to discovering whether Jell-o can have brain waves to creating ice cream by kicking a can, Science on the Loose feeds into children’s natural curiosity about the world around them. A helpful listing outlines all the scientific principles covered in the book — an indispensable tool for teachers and a mark of a serious science book for parents. Claudia Dávila’s amusing illustrations strike the perfect note.

Genres: Nonfiction

64 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2008

About the author

Helaine Becker has written over 70 books, including the #1 National bestseller, A Porcupine in a Pine Tree,and its sequel, Dashing through the Snow, Sloth at the Zoom, Dirk Daring, Secret Agent, the Looney Bay All-Stars chapter book series, non-fiction including Counting on Katherine, Worms for Breakfast and Zoobots (all Junior Library Guild Selections), Monster Science, You Can Read, Lines Bars and Circles, and Boredom Blasters, plus many picture books and young adult novels. She also writes for children’s magazines and for children's television. Her show Dr. Greenie's Mad Lab was a finalist at MIP.com Junior in Cannes.
She has won the Lane Anderson Award for Science Writing for Children twice,once for The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea and once for The Insecto-Files, and the Picture Book of the Year Award from the Canadian Booksellers Association for A Porcupine in a Pine Tree. She has also won three Silver Birch awards and a Red Cedar award.

Helaine Becker holds U.S. and Canadian citizenship. She attended high school in New York, university in North Carolina (Go Blue Devils!!!!) and now lives in Toronto with her husband and dog, Ella. She has two really handsome sons.

Reviews

[Canadian Children's Book Centre]

Do you know a student who is constantly questioning the world around them? Helaine Becker, the award-winning author of more than a dozen children’s books, will grab the attention of those curious kids with her scientific adventure Science on the Loose. Like Becker’s previous non-fiction books, Science on the Loose is colourfully illustrated and organized with experiments, along with intriguing facts – on everything from burps to black holes – which are thoughtfully sprinkled throughout the pages. Becker’s scientific queries focus on the unknowns of the human body, animals, matter and space that seem to preoccupy today’s budding scientist. Brief, wellorganized experiments can be executed simply by using everyday items found in the cupboards at home. With the Scientific Method detailed at the start of the book and with topics, scientific concepts and experimenting located in the indexes, this book will also appeal to educators. After devouring Science on the Loose, kids, and even adults, will have many of their burning questions answered and not realize that they have just started exploring the scientific world.

Reviewed by Sara Spencer in Canadian Children's Book News
Fall 2008 VOL.31 NO.4

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

So hilarious! My co-worker and I were trying out some of the expermiments today and laughing.