Microbes: Discover an Unseen World

Build it Yourself

by Christine Burillo-Kirch, Tom Casteel (Illustrations)

If our vision improved one million times, we would be able to see microbes in the air, on our skin, in the soil, in water, and on food! In Discover an Unseen World , readers journey through microscopic worlds that collide with our own on a daily basis to encounter bacteria, viruses, fungi, protists, and archaea.

There are some microbes we can’t live without, such as those that help us digest our food, while others can harm or even kill us, such as influenza and ebola. Microbes looks at some of the ways the body protects itself from diseases and infections through critical thinking exercises that explore the differences between harmful and beneficial microbes. Follow in the footsteps of the scientists who had both the genius and the imagination to research and discover microbes.

Hands-on experiments such as building a mini incubator, making bacterial growth plates, and growing fungi allow children to explore their microbiological surroundings safely while employing the scientific method to discover details about microbes. Fun facts and primary sources make learning fun and integrative, while cartoon illustrations engage kids' imaginations and prod their natural curiosity about this weird and fascinating topic.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2015

Reviews

[Merrilyn Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ideal book for students who want to know more about microbes than they are learning in the classroom. Part textbook, part experiment project book, colorful, fun, and animated Microbes is easy to follow and goes in depth into various parts of the science: the scientists behind discoveries of microbes, illnesses and disease, and cures and antibodies. Each chapter has an essential question that is written both at the beginning and the end. Students are encouraged to reflect on what they have learned by keeping scientific journals (the scientific method is spelled out as well). At the end of each chapter are three different experiments that children can perform on their own (if there is any potential danger, the author notes that parental help is advised). Several QR codes are available so the reader can take a closer look at a microbe, pathogen, etc. Table of contents, index, resources used to write this book, recommended web sites and books, metric equivalent chart, and QR code index (in case the scanner does not work) all serve to round out the amazing science book!