Sean Connolly (1) (1956–)

I had originally requested this book in the hope that it would have great ideas for easy, quick experiments I could do at the library. That didn't turn out to be the case BUT I did discover that it was a fun, interesting book that sparked ideas for me in other ways.

The book has a unique and interesting arrangement; it's set up around the periodic table. So readers learn about the properties of, say, nitrogen, its history and uses, and then there's a section of experiments based around the show more element. 20 elements are discussed, from sodium to oxygen, and a final chapter tackles the more dangerous elements - radium, arsenic, etc.

The experiments are all fairly simple - using vinegar and fluoride rinse to test the enamel on an egg, growing crystals, or making a potato clock. They're things that a typical middle-class household could do in their kitchen. However, most of them aren't things that would work well in a library setting; they are messy, take multiple hours or days to complete, or don't translate well to multiple kids. So, using it in a STEM program at the library is out.

However, it's a great book for at-home experiments; full of humor, history, cartoons, and science. It also sparked a lot of great ideas for me to have science demonstrations at the library! I'm going to combine this with another book I've looked at, Mason Jar Science, collect jars, and periodically set up experiments on a display! The kids can come in and see how they are progressing and we'll post updates on Facebook. That's the plan anyways.

Verdict: A great addition to your science experiment books and full of fun ideas to inspire experimentation.

ISBN: 9780761180104; Published October 2018 by Workman; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library show less

Unique and interesting collection of science experiments that can be performed with household (or very easily obtainable) items. The book consists of 64 articles each comprised of a sensational blurb, ingredient list, "Take care!" safety or mess warnings, step-by-step method and finally The Scientific Excuse (the scientific explanation of the principles involved).

While the obligatory vinegar/baking soda volcano is included, several variations of this experiment are also inside as well as a show more number of very cool, fairly simple experiments including the infamous Mentos and diet soda geyser (I wondered about the science involved since I saw it on YouTube), setting crepe paper alight with a lens made of ice, static electricity lightning, several curious experiments with cornstarch colloids, various tricks with air pressure, etc.

My 8-year-old son picked out the book and we've been having fun carrying out the experiments. I started skimming it to find suitable candidates to perform together but the style and presentation are interesting enough that I ended up reading it cover to cover. This is a wonderful book for any budding mad scientists and their parents. show less

This book is written by Sean Connolly and is a must have if you're a teacher! The book has a comic feel to it, with a certain "wickedness" and edge that would get younger kids super excited to learn about sconce. The book includes categorized experiments, with the materials a person may need. Additionally, the book goes into details about why the experiments work the way they do and what concepts we can cover based on them. The scientific explanation and rationale provided would help deepen show more student understanding about the concept being covered, while students are enabled to engage in meaningful play and interaction. show less

What causes an avalanche? Find out when you make one. What’s happening during a lunar eclipse? Find out when you recreate it in your living room. How is rocket fuel different from regular fuel? Find out when you build your rocket out of a soda bottle. How long will it take a pizza to be delivered? It doesn’t matter once you’ve built a solar pizza cooker.

Easy booktalk on the title alone, though the book itself is maybe a little dense to read through for all but the most intrepid of show more young scientists. I suspect most middle-schoolers will skip over the history and the explanation of the science to get to the good parts: the experiments in which they blow stuff up, launch objects, or build machines. show less