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Overview
Can you train goldfish? What body parts do all insects have? Easy-to-do experiments, using the scientific method, are paired with scientific explanations. Ideas for further exploration and science fair projects make this book a perfect resource for budding scientists.
Synopsis
Can you train goldfish? What body parts do all insects have? Easy-to-do experiments, using the scientific method, are paired with scientific explanations. Ideas for further exploration and science fair projects make this book a perfect resource for budding scientists.
Children's Literature
Part of the "Real Life Experiments" series. Benbow and Mably invite us to observe birds, earthworms, ants, and many other animals. Observation is the key. At no point do the questions or investigations endanger the animals. Rather the reader is asked to determine which bird likes which kind of seed and what food goldfish prefer. My favorite is watching bugs run across clear clipboards. By watching from the bottom, young scientists (and their parents) can see all the moving parts of the animal and compare those parts to machines we use in the modern world. Looking at the bottom of a caterpillar might help explain why some tractors have what are called caterpillar treads. Explanations are provided on the pages after the experiment, followed by "Ideas for Science fairs," which entails a list of questions. These questions offer solid leads for students needing to work on their project. However, since these are questions about animals, most of them cannot be answered with a last-minute experiment. Illustrations are engaging drawings of animals and young readers. Backmatter includes glossary, list of websites, and index. Reviewer: Amy S. Hansen