Super Science Projects About Earth's Soil And Water (Rockin' Earth Science Experiments)

Grade 4–6—Each of these titles includes an introduction, information about science fairs, safety precautions, and 10 experiments. Some activities are followed with ideas for science fair projects; they are prefaced with a medal symbol. Each experiment is enhanced by a topical fact box and includes a supply list and step-by-step explanation. Some activities in Soil and Water are: "Does Water Ever Disappear?"; "Making Water Rise"; and "Moving Soil with Water." Weather includes "Temperature in Sun and Shade"; "Air and Air Pressure"; and "What Makes It Rain?" John Farndon's Life in the Soil (Gale, 2004) covers similar material for the same age group. Mark Eubank's The Weather Detectives (Gibbs Smith, 2004) is written for slightly older students and includes more background information on the weather. Gardner's books are appropriate for libraries that need more books on earth-science experiments.—Ann Joslin, Fort LeBoef School District, Waterford, PA
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"Water is always on the move," writes Gardner in his introduction to this strong selection of earth-science projects, all focused on soil and water concepts, such as evaporation, the water cycle, and the components of soil. Each experiment is clearly explained in step-by-step instructions, illustrated with Labaff's clean-lined diagrams and formatted on uncluttered pages. Immediately following each experiment is a spread that further explains the scientific principles involved and notes examples of real-world applications. Environmentally focused projects, such as a demonstration of how groundwater becomes polluted, offer students great Earth Day ideas. A ribbon symbol indicates projects that lend themselves well to science fairs, but Gardner cautions students to use the projects as springboards rather than copy them directly. Safety tips and a solid resource section complete this accessible, nicely presented title in the Rockin' Earth Science Experiments series. Gillian Engberg
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