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The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science: 64 Daring Experiments for Young Scientists
Stand back! Genius at work!
Encase your little bother in a giant soap bubble. Drop mentos into a bottle of diet soda and stand back as a geyser erupts. Launch a rocket made from a film canister.
Here are 64 amazing experiments that snap, crackle, pop, ooze, crash, boom, and stink. Giant air cannons. Home-made lightning. Marshmallows on steroids. Matchbox microphones. There’s even an introduction to alchemy. (Not sure what that is? Think “medieval wizard.”) None of the experiments requires special training, and all use stuff found in the kitchen or in the garden shed. You’d be irresponsible not to try them.
ATTENTION, Yes, your kids may need your help with a few experiments. And yes, sometimes it may get a tad messy. But it’s not pure mayhem. The balloon rocket whizzing through the garden? It demonstrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion. That chunk of potato launched across the kitchen from a tube? Welcome to Boyle’s Law. Every experiment demonstrated real science, at its most memorable.
Encase your little bother in a giant soap bubble. Drop mentos into a bottle of diet soda and stand back as a geyser erupts. Launch a rocket made from a film canister.
Here are 64 amazing experiments that snap, crackle, pop, ooze, crash, boom, and stink. Giant air cannons. Home-made lightning. Marshmallows on steroids. Matchbox microphones. There’s even an introduction to alchemy. (Not sure what that is? Think “medieval wizard.”) None of the experiments requires special training, and all use stuff found in the kitchen or in the garden shed. You’d be irresponsible not to try them.
ATTENTION, Yes, your kids may need your help with a few experiments. And yes, sometimes it may get a tad messy. But it’s not pure mayhem. The balloon rocket whizzing through the garden? It demonstrates Newton’s Third Law of Motion. That chunk of potato launched across the kitchen from a tube? Welcome to Boyle’s Law. Every experiment demonstrated real science, at its most memorable.
205 pages, Hardcover
First published October 22, 2008
16 people are currently reading
379 people want to read
About the author
Sean Connolly
302 books33 followersSean Connolly will be familiar to listeners of BBC Radio Five Live and Radio Wales. Among his more than 50 books aimed at children and adults are Wholly Irresponsible Experiments and Witness to History: The Industrial Revolution. He has also written for the Kingfisher Science Encyclopedia. His three children are either collaborators or guinea pigs, depending on the project.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 31, 2009
This book is shelved at the library in the juvenile section, yet parts of it seem written for adults, not kids. I suppose adults should be involved when kids are doing irresponsible things, but in this case, "irresponsible" has more to do with learning through play than it does destruction or waste.
Once you get past the intro, the experiments are all laid out in a clear and easy to understand way. Kudos to the author for including experiments that truly can be done with "things around the house." However, a few of the experiments might require a trip to the hardware store (PVC pipe, dowels) or the 1950's (an old fashioned glass milk bottle???).
The book is loaded with entertaining illustrations that will appeal to kids. The experiments are written in recipe style and the same format is used for every single experiment which makes following the directions much easier.
Love the little note at the top of each experiment which gives a time frame for the experiment. (No, you will not be able to make a volcano in 20 minutes...it's going to take several hours!) Also, each experiment has safety warnings and tips for success. So helpful.
Once you get past the intro, the experiments are all laid out in a clear and easy to understand way. Kudos to the author for including experiments that truly can be done with "things around the house." However, a few of the experiments might require a trip to the hardware store (PVC pipe, dowels) or the 1950's (an old fashioned glass milk bottle???).
The book is loaded with entertaining illustrations that will appeal to kids. The experiments are written in recipe style and the same format is used for every single experiment which makes following the directions much easier.
Love the little note at the top of each experiment which gives a time frame for the experiment. (No, you will not be able to make a volcano in 20 minutes...it's going to take several hours!) Also, each experiment has safety warnings and tips for success. So helpful.
October 19, 2008
Am I evil for buying this for a friend's nine-year old?
November 30, 2008
One Sentence Review: In spite of referring to a philosopher's stone as a "sorcerer's stone" (seriously, people) this may be one of the most enjoyable and beautifully designed science experiment books I've had the pleasure to peruse in quite some time.
July 13, 2024
This book has some decent kitchen-science projects in it, and a couple that are kitchen+-science projects. So, I really wanted to give it three (or more) stars. But, in writing my review I realized that I could not. One reason was the irritating part (below), and the larger reason was the really?!? part (below below).
THE IRRITATING PART: WORDS HAVE MEANINGS
>Connolly seems to have failed to realize that words have meanings
-a particularly irritating fact since he, literally, quotes The Oxford Dictionary of English in the very first line of the introduction of the book - these are actually the first five words of the text - so, apparently he had access to a resource to help him understand the meanings of the words that he uses.
>nothing in this book is 'irresponsible'
>nothing in this book is particularly 'daring'
>and the reasons behind the results are scientific EXPLANATIONS rather than "excuses" these two words have entirely different meeting
>I was going to give grief also because it is a "book" rather than a "kit" but apparently, if I had purchased it rather than getting it from the library other pieces would have come with it.
-but I am happy that I didn't spend any money on it and can give it back to the library
THE REALLY?!? PART: EVERYONE CAN DO STEM, and ENFORCING OUTDATED GENDER STEREOTYPES AGAINST WOMEN IS WRONG AND PARTICULARLY PROBLEMATIC IN THIS TYPE OF BOOK
>it was hugely disappointing that Connolly's illustrations only depict white male experimenters
>Often, I might be able to get past this problem, but Connolly took it a step or two worse in how he depicted women/girls in his book
>The three female characters were: screaming in terror; being sexy, and being the literal object of the experiment - so Connolly both figuratively and literally objectified female characters in his book
As a woman in STEM, I can attest that even well into the 21st Century we have enough problems as it is. It is tremendously problematic and offensive that Connolly opted for this type of subtle indoctrination in his book.
I leave my rating at two stars because the kitchen science is not bad, but I won't go higher because Connolly can take his privilege and stuff it. Also, there are way better kitchen science books out there that take a more balanced, objective approach to their projects.
THE IRRITATING PART: WORDS HAVE MEANINGS
>Connolly seems to have failed to realize that words have meanings
-a particularly irritating fact since he, literally, quotes The Oxford Dictionary of English in the very first line of the introduction of the book - these are actually the first five words of the text - so, apparently he had access to a resource to help him understand the meanings of the words that he uses.
>nothing in this book is 'irresponsible'
>nothing in this book is particularly 'daring'
>and the reasons behind the results are scientific EXPLANATIONS rather than "excuses" these two words have entirely different meeting
>I was going to give grief also because it is a "book" rather than a "kit" but apparently, if I had purchased it rather than getting it from the library other pieces would have come with it.
-but I am happy that I didn't spend any money on it and can give it back to the library
THE REALLY?!? PART: EVERYONE CAN DO STEM, and ENFORCING OUTDATED GENDER STEREOTYPES AGAINST WOMEN IS WRONG AND PARTICULARLY PROBLEMATIC IN THIS TYPE OF BOOK
>it was hugely disappointing that Connolly's illustrations only depict white male experimenters
>Often, I might be able to get past this problem, but Connolly took it a step or two worse in how he depicted women/girls in his book
>The three female characters were: screaming in terror; being sexy, and being the literal object of the experiment - so Connolly both figuratively and literally objectified female characters in his book
As a woman in STEM, I can attest that even well into the 21st Century we have enough problems as it is. It is tremendously problematic and offensive that Connolly opted for this type of subtle indoctrination in his book.
I leave my rating at two stars because the kitchen science is not bad, but I won't go higher because Connolly can take his privilege and stuff it. Also, there are way better kitchen science books out there that take a more balanced, objective approach to their projects.
April 26, 2020
While I didn’t get the sudden urge to run outside and try any of these experiments myself, a lot of them seem like they would be quite fun to do with children one day. I’ll be the coolest auntie around once my friends’ kids get old enough for these!
Highly recommend to any parents out there stuck with children at home that need to be entertained while still learning science.
Also, the art and style of this book is excellent!
Highly recommend to any parents out there stuck with children at home that need to be entertained while still learning science.
Also, the art and style of this book is excellent!
January 22, 2018
Oh, we are going to create some havoc this summer!
Easy to follow instructions, quick read, great for a wide range of ages. Looking forward to reading more of these books.
Easy to follow instructions, quick read, great for a wide range of ages. Looking forward to reading more of these books.
January 22, 2018
so fun and educational. im using this for my afterschool program 😎
June 2, 2018
Sou assim: Quando gosto de um autor...Uma divertida coletânea adicional para meus guris (que já haviam explodido a casa diversas vezes com o primeiro livro). Recomendo muito!
December 16, 2020
my kids found this book in a little free library. it’s been a highlight of covid homeschool!
October 16, 2012
This is far and away my favorite science experiment collection for kids - I like it much better than Steve Spangler's books or the Mythbusters science fair book. Spangler and the Mythbusters team are both doing branding to some extent in their books, and I think that element hurts the books; this is pure science fair fun for kids. Many of the experiments found in this book can also be found in the other books I mention, but they stand apart for the tone they take and the way they explain what happens in the experiment - but not TOO much. Kids who want to use the experiments for the science fair will still have to do some independent thinking. The illustrations are casual and silly, but still do a good job of showing how to perform the experiment.
I love to use experiments from this book in my science programming at the library. Most of the experiments are of the instant-gratification variety, making them easy to do on the spot, and none require equipment that can't be scavenged from a recycling bin or brought in from my kitchen cabinets.
I love to use experiments from this book in my science programming at the library. Most of the experiments are of the instant-gratification variety, making them easy to do on the spot, and none require equipment that can't be scavenged from a recycling bin or brought in from my kitchen cabinets.
July 17, 2014
Oh boy, I am really behind on book reviews. I book-talked this during Summer Reading school visits to mostly 4th and 5th graders, and they were SO PSYCHED about it. Probably mostly because part of my book-talk was demonstrating the Frankenstein's Hand experiment.
In all honestly, this is a pretty straightforward science experiment book. The thing that pushes it over the edge to awesome is the visual design of the book. It is SO appealing. There are no large blocks of text, tons of pictures, and drawings for each step of each experiment. I also love that it's a pretty school-y book, but makes all the science stuff really appealing and fun and not lecture-y.
In all honestly, this is a pretty straightforward science experiment book. The thing that pushes it over the edge to awesome is the visual design of the book. It is SO appealing. There are no large blocks of text, tons of pictures, and drawings for each step of each experiment. I also love that it's a pretty school-y book, but makes all the science stuff really appealing and fun and not lecture-y.
July 2, 2014
This book has a collections of fun, easy science experiments that kids can do, along with an explanation of the principle behind them. It is well organized, an easy read and fun! I have done some of the experiments with my kids this summer, and will buy myself a copy.
It's a must-have for summer fun! Science is fun, and this is a great book to help promote that attitude.
The reason it didn't get a 5 is that it needed an editor, there were some annoying typos, and it really wasn't a life-changer. But I think it will be well-worn at our house.
It's a must-have for summer fun! Science is fun, and this is a great book to help promote that attitude.
The reason it didn't get a 5 is that it needed an editor, there were some annoying typos, and it really wasn't a life-changer. But I think it will be well-worn at our house.
November 19, 2011
This one is fun - lots of cool experiments. Grabbed it from the library but will check it out again soon, and it'll also prob go on the kiddos wishlist for Christmas. Big range of experiemtns too, some that we'll wait until the kiddos are older, but lots we could do now. Also pretty much all of them used stuff we already had, or could be obained cheaply from the grocery store. Can't beat that.
Fun way to get them interested in science.
Fun way to get them interested in science.
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June 4, 2009This book has lots of fun experiments that use things you probably have at home. The cover art, size, and layout of the book is appealing. This was picked out of a table full of books twice by middle school boys for me to tell them about, so I've seen it in action! Each experiment is accompanied by a quick and dirty run-down of the science behind what is going on.
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May 24, 2010My 7 year old son got this as a birthday present and fell in love with the cover and the title. We've only read a few of the experiments, but it looks fun so far! They aren't necessarily brand-new projects in the genre, but the presentation is unique and engaging.
February 16, 2009
This is full of really GREAT stuff for my kiddos that stay after school to play with science! I'm so excited for our group tomorrow!
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September 19, 2012For hands-on family fun, try some of the 64 experiments in The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science.
January 5, 2015
These science experiments sound doable, easy, and fun. preteen to middle school interest.
September 4, 2012
Fun stuff.
October 2, 2012
Our family has a good time doing the science experiments in this book!
September 7, 2018
Perfect for kids and anyone who works with kids
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews