The Ben Franklin Book of Easy and Incredible Experiments: A Franklin Institute Science Museum Book

Features

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Cover Type: Paperback with 144 pages
• Published by: Jossey-Bass; New Ed edition June 30, 1995
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0471076384
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0471076384
• Book Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Weighs: 12.8 ounces

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6?An appealing collection of easy science projects complete with results and explanations. Divided by scientific field, all of the activities included are either actual experiments tried by Franklin himself or inspired variations on his research. One particularly well-presented section, "Using Your Head," stresses the importance of observation and inquiry in research. Citing Franklin's puzzlement over why mail to America from England took weeks longer than mail to England from America, it succinctly describes each step of the process that led him to discover the role of the Gulf Stream and its effect on ocean crossings. Many of the ideas in this book are bound to lure even reluctant students into action. Easily constructed musical instruments, magic tricks, weather stations, and printing presses can be assembled with minimal materials and effort. Informative black-and-white ink drawings and diagrams appear throughout. Each chapter concludes with a suggested list of sources for students to consult on the next stage of their scientific journeys.?Anita Palladino, Finkelstein Memorial Library, Spring Valley, NY
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 4^-6. From the Franklin Institute Museum, a hands-on science museum in Philadelphia, comes a book with a somewhat unusual concept. Following an introduction to Benjamin Franklin, come "Using Your Head," a chapter concerning observation, innovation, and invention, as well as five other chapters on activities and experiments related to some of his major interests: weather, electricity, music, paper and printing, light, and sound. Clear, simple directions guide readers through each experiment. The ink drawings that illustrate the book show occasional awkwardness in representing the human form but serve well in illustrating experiments and activities. Each chapter ends with a subject bibliography. Teachers may find this a useful resource for science and social studies units or for a thematic unit that extends across the curriculum. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.