Awesome Experiments with Living Things

Gr 4–7—Exceptionally clear instructions are laid out in panels, almost like a comic strip—reducing the chance of error in these simple experiments. Readers will make milk turn into a plastic or demonstrate Boyle's law by lifting a stack of books with just their breath. Some projects require patience, as when seeds need to germinate or an eggshell dissolves in vinegar, and many are more easily executed with a buddy or two, making these solid classroom or club choices. No specialty materials are required, and the illustrations show kids following steps. Sidebars provide specific information about the concepts at work, from Bernoulli's principle to osmosis to torque, and offer real-world examples. Perhaps most important: each experiment comes with suggested variations and next steps, inviting readers to predict results and then test their hypotheses.