Science in Your Own Back Yard

by Elizabeth K. Cooper

Wold you like to be an explorer---without leaving your own neighborhood? You can discover your world from the ground up, as a scientist would, by learning to notice everything around you and by making scientific experiments. This stimulating and unusual book, which has grown from the author's own experience with her son and his friends, will show you how to explore the soil and rocks; insects, snakes, and other animals; flowers and grasses; the weather; and the stars. Numerous simple and fascinating experiments are here for you to try in you own outdoor laboratory, requiring only materials that are easily available. Do you know the different kinds of rocks and how to start a fine rock collection? Do you know how to find the North Star? Would you like to know how flowers make seeds and the different ways to keep a beautiful flower collection? As you explore the answers to these questions, you will learn to work the way a scientist does, you will find many exciting new hobby ideas---and you may even discover what kind of scientist you want to be.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1958

Reviews

[Diane Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 71 years old. This book was first published in 1958. It was my favorite book as a child and I remember it well. I don't have my copy any longer, but maybe I'll buy a new one! I loved being out in my back yard as a child and I still do. I credit this book with my love of all things in nature.
Diane Kramer
Chappell Hill, TX

[Mommalibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weekly Reader Children's Book Club
I actually took this into my backyard and tried as many of the investigations as I could. This was my first introduction to science, especially as something that a person can DO!