SCIENCE
Notes from April 2001
Books
Books
REFERENCE
Animals of the World, Dempsey-Parr Publishers, 1999. (Debora)
This oversize encyclopedia presents the animals by progressing from the simplest to the most complex. Excellent pictures and accompanying text make it beautiful and readable. Available at Sam's Club for \$8-10.
Science Encyclopedia, Dempsey-Parr Publishers (Debora)
A nice companion to the above listing, this encyclopedia also includes science activities and projects for kids. Sam's Club.
Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science, Dorling-Kindersley. (Joanne)
Like all of DK's books, this one is notable for its gorgeous photographs that seduce the reader into reading more and more of the accompanying explanatory text.
EXPERIMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
The Kids' Nature Book: 365 Indoor/Outdoor Activities and Experiments, Susan Milord, Williamson Publishing. (Joanne)
A good source for seasonal ideas to get kids looking at nature. Williamson also publishes a gardening book for kids, and one called "Science Play."
Science Experiments You Can Eat, by Vicki Cobb. (Debora)
The title says it all.
AIMS Education Foundation. (Diane)
AIMS stands for Activities Integrating Math and Science, and these people mean what they say. Among their many books, these were recommended: Brick Layers: Engineering with LEGO Constructions, grades 4-9; Floaters and Sinkers: Mass, Volume, Density, grades 5-9; and Magnificent Microworld Adventures, microscope topics, grades 4-9. Contact AIMS Education Foundation, P.O. Box 8120, Fresno, CA 93747-8120,
GEMS: Great Explorations in Math and Science (Julie)
The GEMS program comes out of the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley. They publish many books on all sorts of topics, and they usually have exciting, creative ways to approach the subject. To get their catalog, call 510-642-7771.
TEXTBOOKS
Singapore Math, Inc. (Debora)
Singapore Math puts out Start-up Science for grades 1-2, Primary Science for grades 3-6, and Secondary Science, grades 7-8. These straightforward and inexpensive textbooks for primary grades cover all the usual science topics, but in a way that isn't overwhelming or dull. Along with the slim textbooks, there are accompanying workbooks and teachers' guides. Check out their website for sample pages and tables of contents: www.singaporemath.com
FICTION
Diane Duane has published a series of books about wizardry that include lots of science without kids even knowing they're learning it. Titles are How to Be a Wizard, Deep Wizardry, High Wizardry, and WizardAbroad. They are also available on Books on Tape. (Debora)
Magazines
The National Wildlife Federation puts out Your Big Backyard for pre-readers to beginning readers, and Ranger Rick for grades 1-3. These are monthly magazines that feature colorful photographs and stories about animals.
Ladybug magazines produces Click and Muse, but I don't know what age ranges each one targets. If you know more, please contact me and I'll update this site.
Games
LEGO Mindstorms and LEGO's Dacta (Diane)
LEGO products are great for kids who like to build things. Mindstorms features robotics, with step by step instructions for making the vehicles and then programming them to move; a PC is required. Dacta, LEGO's educational line, offers simple machines and engineering, with activity cards that kids can follow, with no reading required. One warning: they're not cheap!
Other
Science Experiment of the Week. (Joanne)
Instead of having to go to a website each week to find an experiment, this one sends a new experiment right to your e-mail address once a week. Robert Krampf says he looks for "experiments that are unusual, safe, dramatic, cheap, and fun." And it's free! To subscribe, send an e-mail to krampf-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Or check out his website at www.krampf.com.
Science Kit and Boreal Laboratories Catalog (Debora)
This extensive catalog contains games, CD-ROMs, models, videos, microscopes, lab supplies, and more. They have material suited to older ages, but there's stuff for everyone. Call 800-828-7777 or go to www.sciencekit.com to request a catalog.
NASCO Catalog (Diane)
This is another huge catalog company that offers science and health education products as well as arts and craft supplies. Check them out at www.nascofa.com.
Math and Science Links
Kids website from NASA
Virtual frog disection
The Magic School Bus
Ancient Egypt for kids
The Nine Planets
Ancient Egypt at the British Museum
Interactive Periodic Table of elements/click an element
Virtual Body
Brain Pop-Short tutorials
Math/Science Nucleus
The Globe Program
Canon 3D Papercrafts-Science
BBC Science and Nature site
Absurd Math
Murderous Maths
Ask Dr. Math
Frank Potter's Science Gems
Interactive Physics and Math
My Physics Lab
Science U