Fun Experiments with Light

November 1, 2017

Gr 3-6-Clear diagrams guide readers through the nine to 12 projects found in each of these books. A good mix of old favorites (cornstarch slime and a homopolar motor) are featured along with some neat new tricks (a lens made of ice and coffee filter chromatography). Occasional inconsistent language use (joss stick vs. incense stick in Forces and thumbtack vs. drawing pin in Electricity) reflects the series's British origin and could lead to confusion. The series is better for the simpler experiments, as the instructions sometimes miss a beat-the origami airplane in Forces is extremely complicated to make, so much so that even the photo of the finished plane looks bunchy and uneven. Best for classroom or club use, as students will need to tinker and adjust to achieve success with some of these projects. VERDICT For schools and libraries with a large budget for STEM activity book series.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2017
Grades 3-6 After a brief introduction about safety, adult assistance, and materials, this entry in the Amazing Science Experiments series offers a range of experiments dealing with light. The projects vary from very easy, such as producing a rainbow with a garden hose, to much more complicated, like a camera obscura constructed from cardboard boxes, a mirror, a lens made from cheap reading glasses, and a piece of tracing paper. Inset boxes offer insight into the science behind each project and the effect readers might observe, and although the directions occasionally lack specificity (which side of the reading-glasses lens goes up?), the detailed diagrams in the illustrations make measurements and construction tips quite clear. Kids who learn best with hands-on science demonstrations will get a kick out of this slim, engaging volume.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)