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The Magic School Bus #11
The Magic School Bus and the Science Fair Expedition
It's the 20th Anniversary of The Magic School Bus! Celebrate this groundbreaking series with the Friz's class as they meet some of history's greatest minds and learn what it takes to be a scientist.
What do Galileo, Isaac Newton, Louis Pasteur, and Albert Einstein have in common? They've all ridden on the Magic School Bus, of course!
Ms. Frizzle is back in action and she has a mission: her students need science fair projects - and fast. What better way to get ideas than to learn from some of the all-time greats? The class heads to the Walkerville Science Museum to see the exhibit on GREAT SCIENTISTS THROUGH THE AGES, where, suddenly, Galileo comes to life! He is about to make a great discovery, but he needs a ride home. Thank goodness Ms. Frizzle knows the way! (cont.)
What do Galileo, Isaac Newton, Louis Pasteur, and Albert Einstein have in common? They've all ridden on the Magic School Bus, of course!
Ms. Frizzle is back in action and she has a mission: her students need science fair projects - and fast. What better way to get ideas than to learn from some of the all-time greats? The class heads to the Walkerville Science Museum to see the exhibit on GREAT SCIENTISTS THROUGH THE AGES, where, suddenly, Galileo comes to life! He is about to make a great discovery, but he needs a ride home. Thank goodness Ms. Frizzle knows the way! (cont.)
56 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2006
3 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Cole
487 books204 followersJoanna Cole, who also wrote under the pseudonym B. J. Barnet, was an author of children’s books who teaches science.
She is most famous as the author of The Magic School Bus series of children's books. Joanna Cole wrote over 250 books ranging from her first book Cockroach to her famous series Magic School Bus.
Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby East Orange. She loved science as a child, and had a teacher she says was a little like Ms. Frizzle. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University before graduating from the City College of New York with a B.A. in psychology. After some graduate education courses, she spent a year as a librarian in a Brooklyn elementary school. Cole subsequently became a letters correspondent at Newsweek, and then a senior editor for Doubleday Books for Young Readers.
She is most famous as the author of The Magic School Bus series of children's books. Joanna Cole wrote over 250 books ranging from her first book Cockroach to her famous series Magic School Bus.
Cole was born in Newark, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby East Orange. She loved science as a child, and had a teacher she says was a little like Ms. Frizzle. She attended the University of Massachusetts and Indiana University before graduating from the City College of New York with a B.A. in psychology. After some graduate education courses, she spent a year as a librarian in a Brooklyn elementary school. Cole subsequently became a letters correspondent at Newsweek, and then a senior editor for Doubleday Books for Young Readers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 29, 2015
I love these books. They are packed with so much information. My son brought this home from the school library today. We read it together, but he is still examining the pictures and cool facts.
January 25, 2018
So, yeah, I read a lot of children's books.
How cool that they used the Magic School Bus to introduce kids to a bunch of different scientists and their work? This story was a short history of science in western civilization. There were a number of fields represented in fun and interesting ways. I bet it would get kids interested in search for more about scientists and science subjects.
From a kid point of view, though, my 8 year old daughter claims she doesn't like this one as much because Ms. Frizzle's class uses a cardboard bus instead of the real one. I can't win.
How cool that they used the Magic School Bus to introduce kids to a bunch of different scientists and their work? This story was a short history of science in western civilization. There were a number of fields represented in fun and interesting ways. I bet it would get kids interested in search for more about scientists and science subjects.
From a kid point of view, though, my 8 year old daughter claims she doesn't like this one as much because Ms. Frizzle's class uses a cardboard bus instead of the real one. I can't win.
June 22, 2017
This book is a story about a class with students that are getting ready to have a science fair. They can't decide what to do for their projects so they walk to the science museum. They look at some of the different exhibits and then get on a cardboard bus which takes them to a place that has scientists from all different times. The bus takes them on a tour of all the different scientists. They were able to talk to the scientists and hear their stories. Important facts are written on every page.
This book is good but busy. I think it would be a good book to read to a class that is learning about different scientists or getting ready to do science projects of their choice. The facts are written in ways that are fun to read and easy to find. The pages are busy so to read this aloud to a class, it may take a little extra time to walk through everything. It is a cute and informative story, though
This book is good but busy. I think it would be a good book to read to a class that is learning about different scientists or getting ready to do science projects of their choice. The facts are written in ways that are fun to read and easy to find. The pages are busy so to read this aloud to a class, it may take a little extra time to walk through everything. It is a cute and informative story, though
August 26, 2023
In this book, the Magic School Bus kids go to the science museum to learn about things for their science fair projects. Then they go on a cardboard version of the Magic School Bus, which probably has the same powers as the regular one. They go back in time and meet a bunch of scientists. It’s pretty cool.
I like this one very much. It feels like a legacy celebration of the values the Magic School Bus series stands for. Curiosity, the scientific method, a sense of wonder. I hope to still have these values today as an adult. This book is a little preachy, especially the part about female scientists, but the book is still great. Especially when a lot of the kids’ science fair projects are based on the trip back in time.
I like this one very much. It feels like a legacy celebration of the values the Magic School Bus series stands for. Curiosity, the scientific method, a sense of wonder. I hope to still have these values today as an adult. This book is a little preachy, especially the part about female scientists, but the book is still great. Especially when a lot of the kids’ science fair projects are based on the trip back in time.
October 22, 2017
I love this one! Ms. Frizzle introduces the concept of science and how scientists work to answer questions with evidence. The general explanation flows into an explanation of how scientists have built on knowledge in different fields of physics, biology, and chemistry. I will have this as an interesting read for even my middle schoolers when we are studying the contributions of scientists.
March 13, 2021
This was amazing! I loved these as a kid and was glad to find out they are just as enjoyable as an adult. There is so much information, humor, diversity, color and fun discoveries on every page. This book in particular explores famous scientists and their work/scientific methods, from “big” (planets) to “small” (bacteria). A classic.
January 16, 2023
Initially I misread the title and thought this would be about science fair experiments which my kids are currently doing, but this book is about the process and history of science, told through the accomplishments of various scientists.
This is a very well done explanation of how science works alongside a cursory history of science.
This is a very well done explanation of how science works alongside a cursory history of science.
September 20, 2018
This book covers many different topics, so it is really just a brief overview of many things, but i enjoy that it covers the history of everything as well as the science of it. This alone makes this a very well rounded book, and overall very informative and fun.
January 31, 2021
The penultimate book in the original Magic School Bus series sees the bus travel through time to see a number of different scientists in history.
Some great historical and scientific information are included in this fine addition to the series.
Some great historical and scientific information are included in this fine addition to the series.
January 13, 2019
I read this to my 5 year old. It walks you through famous scientists and their discoveries. Very informative and fun!
August 19, 2020
We love the Magic School Bus series. These books are so informative and visually appealing for readers of all ages.
September 22, 2021
Read this to my brothers a surprisingly I discovered new scientists and facts I never heard about. It was fun and very important information to read
May 31, 2025
Ms. Frizzle and her class visit a science museum on the magic school bus and meet various scientists throughout history. Another great installment in the Magic School Bus series teaching science.
September 20, 2025
I know it's a kids' books, but it was very detailed and had a lot of interesting information in it. You always learn when you're with Miss Frizzle.
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November 6, 2019Hi everyone! I'm working for a Russian website Papmambook.ru dedicated to children's books and children's reading. We've been building the English version of the website and recently published an article on The Magic School Bus series. The author talks about how the books grabs the attention even of those children that are generally not interested in science. Here's the link if you want to check it out.
December 12, 2011
(Informational books)
The Magic School Bus book series are the best picture books for children to obtain information on just about anything! There are Magic School Bus books about everything from Dinosaurs to water molecules but this particular book focuses on a field trip Ms. Frizzle and the class takes to a local science fair expedition! The children are working on a project in Ms. Frizzle's class but some of the children are stumped on what exactly to do their project on. So Arnold suggests that the class take a field trip to the local museum, and that's exactly what they do! Instead of taking the bus like usual they walk to the museum. But once they get to the museum they see a bus just like theirs except it cardboard! But what do you know this bus is magic too! the bus takes them on a journey through the museum where many of the exhibits came to life! While on the bus the children learn about many famous very important scientists, their inventions and discoveries. This book would pair great with a science lesson or history lesson! The illustrations in this book are very animated which works perfectly for this series of books since majority of them are based on the classic animated series on television! Key features that will be very useful in the classroom include timelines, graphs, charts and experiments that children can obtain a great deal of information from. I would recommend that each classroom have atleast 3-5 different Magic School Books in the classroom for children to use as informational references. These aren't the normal informational books but are much more adventurous and exciting to read. These books are appropriate for any elementary school grade child,K-5!
The Magic School Bus book series are the best picture books for children to obtain information on just about anything! There are Magic School Bus books about everything from Dinosaurs to water molecules but this particular book focuses on a field trip Ms. Frizzle and the class takes to a local science fair expedition! The children are working on a project in Ms. Frizzle's class but some of the children are stumped on what exactly to do their project on. So Arnold suggests that the class take a field trip to the local museum, and that's exactly what they do! Instead of taking the bus like usual they walk to the museum. But once they get to the museum they see a bus just like theirs except it cardboard! But what do you know this bus is magic too! the bus takes them on a journey through the museum where many of the exhibits came to life! While on the bus the children learn about many famous very important scientists, their inventions and discoveries. This book would pair great with a science lesson or history lesson! The illustrations in this book are very animated which works perfectly for this series of books since majority of them are based on the classic animated series on television! Key features that will be very useful in the classroom include timelines, graphs, charts and experiments that children can obtain a great deal of information from. I would recommend that each classroom have atleast 3-5 different Magic School Books in the classroom for children to use as informational references. These aren't the normal informational books but are much more adventurous and exciting to read. These books are appropriate for any elementary school grade child,K-5!
April 16, 2012
I love the creativeness and excitement for students in this book! I think it was wonderful how the author incorporates historic figures in science to teach students and give the students in the story ideas about a science project. This book would be very helpful as well to science students who are stuck in thinking of a science project to do. I know when I was in middle school, I was lost on what science project to do (including finding something that seemed interesting). This book would be perfect to give students ideas, and maybe students could even use the ideas in this book for a science project for their actual project due. This book can also be tied into a science class as there are many pages in the science textbooks that discuss the scientists who really made an impact on history. Plus, students can continue to learn about experimentation, the scientific method, and inquiry in science through this book. I think this book can be an excellent addition to a classroom library.
February 23, 2008
The winning Magic School Bus team of Cole and Degen has created this new title to celebrate the series’ 20th anniversary. Ms. Frizzle’s class visits the new science museum, where they enjoy an interactive ride featuring famous scientists through time. When the models come to life and interact with class members, the kids are able to gather primary source information about great scientific discoveries from interviews with Copernicus, Galileo, Pasteur, Curie, Einstein, and more. There’s lots of information crammed into this little book, and although the multiple word bubbles that define the series’ signature busy pages make it too compllicated for reading aloud, fans of the series will keep it circulating. Teachers should include this title on the reading list for classrooms about to dive into a science fair.
February 5, 2009
Our most recent MSB aquisition (I think). We have SOOOOO many .... This one is fairly new (2006), and covers the scientific method, inquiry, and how scientists test their ideas. Not as tedious as some (the computer one is just a yawn), but not as good as others. My son was really curious about why the Curie's journals are still radioactive. My favorite MSB's are The Magic School Bus Inside the Human Body, The Magic School Bus On The Ocean Floor.
August 31, 2016
These first Magic School Bus books are my favorite. They’re longer, the stories are more extensive, and they're packed full of information. I like the sidebars with interesting facts disguised as homework. The illustrations are also more detailed, and the faces have more character.
My kids love the Magic School Bus series. They were Legomeister’s favorites a few years ago, he still checks them out occasionally; and now Little Miss is starting to request them. They enjoy the stories and think they're so funny!
This one was talking about famous past scientists and how they learned by questioning and testing theories, and about how their knowledge built on other's scientist's discoveries. Cute and interesting story.
My kids love the Magic School Bus series. They were Legomeister’s favorites a few years ago, he still checks them out occasionally; and now Little Miss is starting to request them. They enjoy the stories and think they're so funny!
This one was talking about famous past scientists and how they learned by questioning and testing theories, and about how their knowledge built on other's scientist's discoveries. Cute and interesting story.
May 2, 2014
K picked this book up from his school library. I have always loved The Magic School Bus and K has just started enjoying the books.
With this one there was so much information written within the bubbles that is seemed to deter K from actually listening to the story.
The Magic School Bus series is just an awesome series of books because you learn so much information on certain subjects that it makes you want to learn in a fun way. When the kids of Mrs. Fizzle's class go to a trip to the museum well what do you expect it will be an adventure that scientists from the past come to life and give a bit of information on their selves and what they have discovered.
Perfect read for all but especially good to have in the classroom!
With this one there was so much information written within the bubbles that is seemed to deter K from actually listening to the story.
The Magic School Bus series is just an awesome series of books because you learn so much information on certain subjects that it makes you want to learn in a fun way. When the kids of Mrs. Fizzle's class go to a trip to the museum well what do you expect it will be an adventure that scientists from the past come to life and give a bit of information on their selves and what they have discovered.
Perfect read for all but especially good to have in the classroom!
April 12, 2016
I always loved science, it has always been my favorite subject. Books like the magic school bus explain how fun science can be while still keeping the subject interesting. It is extremely impressive to see just how much information is packed into these books, this one included. The pictures show how each student is different; just like in a regular classroom, you have the ones who are excited about learning to the ones who do not want to be there and just wish it was over. It was genius to have the students meet the actual scientists, even though the book is way to short to talk about all of their accomplishments. Reading this book makes me realize how I wish I had a science teacher like Ms. Frizzle so I could go on adventures like her class did.
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November 12, 2016Joanna Cole is able to emphasize the joy of science and shows that complex information can be conveyed with humor and enthusiasm! I think all teachers should be like Ms. Frizzle! If you are starting to talk about famous scientists, or famous people in general, this book would be good for students to read.
What do Galileo, Isaac Newton, Louis Pasteur, and Albert Einstein have in common? They've all ridden on the Magic School Bus, of course!
Ms. Frizzle is back in action and she has a mission: her students need science fair projects - and fast. What better way to get ideas than to learn from some of the all-time greats? The class heads to the Walkerville Science Museum to see the exhibit on GREAT SCIENTISTS THROUGH THE AGES, where, suddenly, Galileo comes to life!
What will happen???
What do Galileo, Isaac Newton, Louis Pasteur, and Albert Einstein have in common? They've all ridden on the Magic School Bus, of course!
Ms. Frizzle is back in action and she has a mission: her students need science fair projects - and fast. What better way to get ideas than to learn from some of the all-time greats? The class heads to the Walkerville Science Museum to see the exhibit on GREAT SCIENTISTS THROUGH THE AGES, where, suddenly, Galileo comes to life!
What will happen???
March 6, 2012
The magic school bus is a timeless series that has multiple books of interest! This book is applicable for grades k-3. All of the magic school bus books have fantastic illustrations to help the children better understand what they are learning! In this book the children are working on a project but some children do not know what would be best for the children to work on for the science fair, because of this they decide to take a field trip! This woudl be a great lesson on teaching children who are about to go through entering themselves into a science fair! It's interesting and gives great ideas.
February 9, 2010
A whimsical look at a few scientists throughout the ages and how one scientist built upon the discoveries and knowledge of those who have gone before. The class goes on a typical field trip and meet the scientists along the way; there's a lot more side notes and dialog in this book and it makes it hard for me to read the book aloud. But our girls love these Magic School Bus books and we all learn a little something along the way.
July 23, 2014
There are always some parts of Magic School bus stories that make me hesitate or feel nervous or just cross. This book still contained a few moments but they were buried behind a vast array of beautiful artwork illustrating some of the greatest scientific discoveries of all time in a very enjoyable and readable format for my 4 year old daughter and me to enjoy at an extended bedtime storytime. I was really glad to see some lady scientists in there and my daughter loved learning all about the different aspects of science on offer. Some clever linking methods too!!
June 7, 2011
Amira & I have been working our way through this book in sections together over the last week... and she's been reading it on her own. Any book that is engaging and fun for a 6 1/2 year old to read that also effectively teaches her about scientific methods, key outstanding minds in science through the ages, and sparks her curiosity, earns it a 5 star rating from me.
November 14, 2018
I have always loved Magic School Bus books, but I haven't yet read this one. Students are lacking in science education, so I think it is important that we can supplement science as much as we can. This book could be a good entry way into a science fair project for grader 1st-3rd. I also love how this book has little random facts within, that make the book super engaging.
March 11, 2008
a history of great scientists and what their main question/focus of study was. thought this would be over Caleb's head at age 4, but was surprised that he listened, asked questions, and remembers what Copernicus did and many others... a great intro to science and the magic school bus :)
June 25, 2011
This book is about the magic schoolbus. It takes us to the science museum. I learned about important scientists who made discoveries. Important discoveries. My favorite part was the scientists coming alive because it was cool.
Rated and reviewed by Dylan, age 8.
Rated and reviewed by Dylan, age 8.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews