Synergy: Exploring Hands-on Science

HANDS-ON SCIENCE is an approach to learning that actively involves children in inquiry-based learning and problem-solving. Using real-world contexts, children apply critical and creative thinking to investigate questions, conduct experiments, and draw conclusions.

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:

HANDS-ON SCIENCE is a new nonfiction series for young readers focusing on a wide range of popular science themes. Written by Lola M. Schaefer and illustrated by Druscilla Santiago, each book uses simple illustrations, engaging text, and creative interactive elements to explain key scientific concepts. Along the way, children are encouraged to have fun conducting their own experiments. Whether tilting the book, blowing on the page, or pressing an image, readers are actively involved in learning. Each title immerses children in a different STEM science laboratory where they use the book along with step-by-step instructions to conduct experiments.

GEOLOGY examines concepts connected with rocks, minerals, and Earth science. From earthquakes to volcanoes, children will enjoy connecting science to exciting, real-world situations.

MATTER introduces young scientists to solids, liquids, and gases. From molding clay and making cherry juice to experimenting with bubbles, readers immerse themselves in an engaging chemistry laboratory.

MOTION explores topics such as gravity and wind to explain force and motion. Young scientists will enjoy actively learning in the physic laboratory.

ARC courtesy of Charlesbridge, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Synergy: Experiments

 

Experiments are procedures designed to support or refute a hypothesis. They demonstrate what outcome occurs when a particular variable is manipulated. To children, hands-on, scientific experiments can seem like magic.

Read the recently published nonfiction book, then learn more at the website:

THE SCIENCE SPELL BOOK: MAGICAL EXPERIMENTS FOR KIDS by Cara Florance provides a fun way for children to learn about physics, biology, and chemistry through common household items. From using electricity to draw pictures to creating a fluorescent feast, readers explore the science behind magical experiments. Chapter titles such as illumination, sorcery, and alchemy enhance the magic theme, while the individual experiments keeping the focus on real-world science concepts. ARC courtesy of Sourcebooks Explore.

YOUTUBE features video channels that connect the science with the fun of magic tricks. For instance, 5-MINUTE MAGIC provides short videos on a wide range of topics. The playlists includes topics such as science experiments, magic tricks, and top experiments.

To watch videos, go to https://www.youtube.com/c/5MINUTEMAGIC.

Website: ChemCollective

CHEMCOLLECTIVE is an online resource for teaching and learning chemistry.

The website contains virtual labs, scenario-based learning activities, tutorials, and concept tests. The materials are organized by topic and resource type. A Teachers section provides ideas for modifying and creating activities.

Librarians will find that teachers and students enjoy the varied, hands-on activities. Some of the activities would work well in a learning station to draw interest in STEM activities.

To visit the website, go to http://chemcollective.org.

Website: Middle School Chemistry

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHEMISTRY from the American Chemical Society contains lessons and multimedia for educators and their students.

The Lesson Plans section is divided into six chapters. Each chapter contains a series of lessons that include a video and multimedia, lesson plan, activity sheets, readings, standards alignment, and teaching resources.

The Multimedia section takes students step-by-step through the lesson with embedded interactives, illustrations, and videos.

Librarians will find that the lessons and multimedia resources align well with the science curriculum. Of particular note are the Spanish language versions and hands-on activities and animations.

To visit the website, go to http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/.

Book Review: The Disappearing Spoon

THE DISAPPEARING SPOON by Sam Kean is the young reader’s edition of the popular science book.

After a brief introduction, the work of nonfiction is divided into five parts exploring different aspects of the periodic table and its history. Within each section are a series of chapters exploring specific topics associated with the section’s theme. The book concludes with the periodic table of elements, a glossary, bibliography, and index.

Librarians will find this to be an excellent addition to the nonfiction collection. While it will be a useful resource for students writing reports connected with the periodic table, it will be most popular among children who enjoy reading nonfiction for fun. Use the book as part of a nonfiction literature circle focusing on science. The text would also be helpful for high school students who find the adult version of the book too difficult.

Published on April 3, 2018 by Little, Brown, an imprint of Hachette. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Learn Chemistry

LEARNCHEMISTRY is a teaching and learning resource from the Royal Society of Chemistry.

This educational resource provides access to thousands of online, educational resources for chemistry. It also connects chemistry to other disciplines such as art, health, and history. Resources can be accessed using key words. Users can also browse by audience, resource type, age group, or subject.

The website contains sections geared toward teachers, students, and higher education. The teacher section provides access to a chemistry education journal and forum for discussing teaching in the chemical sciences. The student section contains resources related to chemistry careers, a magazine geared to young adults, and an online network for those teens interested in studying chemistry.

Featured areas include chemistry guides, practical chemistry resources, math for chemists, and sub disciplines such as materials chemistry and space chemistry. Of particular note is a section providing science idea webs. These amazing visuals help connect primary science topics such as World War II, Vikings, or Ancient Egypt to chemistry concepts.

Projects within the website include an interactive Periodic Table, This Day in Chemistry page, an Experimentation Hub focusing on investigation, Faces of Chemistry page featuring chemists, and chemistry wiki.

Librarians will find this website to be filled with useful information, data, articles, lessons, and other resources. Work with science teachers to mine the best resources and weave them into the science curriculum.

To visit the website, go to http://www.rsc.org/learn-chemistry.

App Review: Chemcrafter

CHEMCRAFTER is a science game app from the Chemical Heritage Foundation.

This creative app lets users build a chemistry lab and try out fun experiments. Users drag and drop combinations of chemicals to create amazing reactions. The Chem-o-convertor measures energy released and unlocks new levels. Users collect tools and chemicals to expand their experiments. Characters help guide users through different types of chemical reactions.

Although designed as a game, the app is a great way to spur interest in science. Involve students in logging their results and learning more about the chemicals and reactions used in the game. Create a display of nonfiction books that students can use as resources to learn more about the chemicals and experiments experienced in the games.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chemcrafter/id839552862.

Website Review: Stinks, Bangs & Booms: The Rise & Fall of the American Chemistry Set

STINKS, BANGS & BOOMS: THE RISE & FALL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMISTRY SET is a website that provides a fascinating look at the history of this beloved resource.

Sponsored by the Chemical Heritage Foundation, this award winning website uses an interactive timeline to explore the inception, heyday, decline, and resurgence of the American Chemistry Set.

The amazing story is told through the use of historical drawings, photographs, text, narration, and music. Interactive elements and mini-games keep readers interested. Users have the opportunity to learn more or move on to the next section.

A particularly interesting activity involves exploring chemistry sets from different time periods.

Users can listen to the stories of people who grew up with a chemistry set and participants can even record their own stories.

Librarians will find lots of uses for this amazing website. It’s an exciting way to discuss timelines and the idea of change over time. Involve youth in analyzing their favorite toy such as the history of LEGO. It’s also a fun way to bring historical photos and other primary sources to life. Consider creating a display that shows a chemistry set and labels the variety parts. Also include books of science experiments that youth can try at home.

To explore the website, go to http://chemistryset.chemheritage.org.

Book Review: Love is the Drug

LOVE IS THE DRUG by Alaya Dawn Johnson is a fast-paced mystery-suspense set in near-future Washington DC. 

Set against the backdrop of a global pandemic, prep-school teen Emily Bird becomes involved in a mysterious homeland security scandal made worse by her memory loss after an elite Washington DC party. This young adult novel involves a wide range of topics that will attract youth including romance, friendships, conspiracy, drugs, and disaster.

The plot moves quickly as the world dives deeper into chaos and our heroine tries to piece together the mystery of her memory loss. The author does a masterful job dealing with social problems, public policy, and contemporary issues facing teens such as drug use and college preparation.

The authentic, conversational writing style is likely to appeal to a young adult audience. Like many works of mystery/suspense, movement between the present and flashbacks can be temporarily disorienting. In addition, the story breaks down near the end as the author attempts to tie up all the loose ends. However, the overall plot is fast-paced and engaging.

The diverse cast of characters were skillfully developed and realistically portrayed. Teens will enjoy the strong female lead. Rarely do teen readers have the opportunity to see a realistically portrayed, independent, intelligent young black woman in a leading role.

Each chapter begins with a chemical compound. Careful readers will easily connect the chemicals to the chapter’s focus and students will be thrilled to apply their Chemistry class to the real-world.

With so many series books to choose from, librarians will be happy to see a stand-alone mystery-suspense.

Those readers who enjoy this type of mystery/suspense would also enjoy adult suspense novels by Michael Crichton and John Grisham.

With the Ebola scare making headlines and conspiracy theories everywhere, this book is likely to fly off the shelf.

Publisher ARC used for review