Science Project Ideas About Trees

School Library Journal

Gr 5-8These workmanlike guides present a good deal of basic information about animal behavior and tree biology respectively, and suggest a range of learning-centered activities, most of which would be suitable for science fairs. The projects in Animal Behavior range from determining the direction of sound using only one's ears to investigating the "language" of honeybees. The experiments involving Trees range from identifying shapes and structures of leaves to measuring tree growth by analyzing twigs and buds. Directions in both books are easy to understand, and the vocabulary is fairly accessible. The accompanying diagrams are particularly sharp and clear, though not every experiment has one. The background information is fairly detailed. Oddly, both titles include a list of materials that is not keyed to the experiments. The materials list for each experiment is adequate. In comparison, Nancy Woodward Cain's Animal Behavior Science Projects (Wiley, 1995) is written for slightly older students, so it contains considerably more background information on the scientific method in addition to more sophisticated experiments. Janice VanCleave's Plants (1997) and David Suzuki's Looking at Plants (1992, both Wiley) are for slightly younger students, discuss more basic questions (why leaves are green), and do not focus on trees. Gardner's offerings are engagingly written and will be useful for most collections.Jonathan Betz-Zall, Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Edmonds, WA