The Mad Scientist's Notebook: Warning! Dangerously Wacky Experiments Inside by Elizabeth Snoke Harris

by Elizabeth Snoke Harris

Plastic humanoids, dancing spaghetti, and rubber something wacky’s going on here—and kids will love it! After all, what could be more fun than peeking into a mad scientist’s notebook and finding 50 fizzing, popping projects that will light up their own laboratories…and minds? Young Einsteins (and Dr. Frankensteins) will discover really cool things to do, including building a hovercraft and rocket, boiling ice without melting it, and making their fingers smoke. Notes from the mad scientist himself on richly illustrated and lined pages make the projects even more entertaining! But don’t be these irresistible experiments demonstrate important principles of physics, biology, and chemistry. So kids will safely learn all about science…even if they’re too busy making a mess to realize it.

Hardcover

First published June 3, 2008

About the author

Beth has been involved in science education for over 20 years in the classroom, research facilities and museums. She loves sharing fun experiments with anyone who will listen and with whatever is handy. When she's not working on science curriculum projects or leading STEM field trips at the local roller rink, she serves as web master for science education organizations. Her other hobbies include playing with her kids, gardening, and beekeeping in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Natalie {I'd So Rather Be Reading} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original Review HERE

I have one future scientist. I am constantly scouring Pinterest for quick & easy little experiments for him to do on the weekends. I have even had to use these as bribes and rewards for good behavior at school.

My mom found this little nugget of wacky experiments and it has been a lot of fun not just for my science minded guy but for the whole family! We started off with Bendable Bones (pg 66).

Both my husband and myself have science-based degrees but it is often hard to explain certain principles regarding the properties of science. This book poses a question and then follows with the experiment. Then gives a simple concise explanation that is in terms kids can understand (explanations also have vocabulary words in red) and sometimes has a quirky thought based on the principals learned taught. For our experiment, it read this:

Now if I soaked my bones in vinegar, I could finally win a limbo contest. And I could sneak into places through the air ducts to steal stuff. Pardon me while I go fill my bathtub with vinegar...

[Ralph Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book of experiments all children can do and it follows up with a great, funny explaination of what is actually happening during the experiment. Overall, this is a great book that teachers can use to get their students into the fun of science.