Experiment with Kitchen Science: Fun projects to try at home (Steam Ahead)

by Nick Arnold

Giulia Zoavo (Illustrator)

Science isn’t limited to the classroom – it can be cooked up in the kitchen! This photographic book of experiments and projects covers covers chemical reactions, states of matter, microbiology and much more – all with ingredients and equipment that can be found in the kitchen.

The STEAM Ahead series shows readers that science isn’t limited to the classroom – it can be found out in the garden, cooked up in the kitchen and brought to life with paper and paints! Each book features clear, step-by-step instructions and has a fresh, contemporary design, with an emphasis on fun, achievable experiments to give kids hands-on experiences. The science behind each experiment is explained, giving readers the theory behind the practical activities. 

Titles in the series include:
STEAM Ahead: Experiment with Kitchen Science
STEAM Ahead: Experiment with Outdoor Science
​STEAM Ahead: Experiment with Art
STEAM Ahead: Experiment with Engineering

• ISBN13: 9780711243385
• Publish Date: 17 September 2019
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 3 October 2023
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Aurum Press
• Imprint: words & pictures
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 80
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Experiment with Kitchen Science is one of those cool STEAM based books I really wish I'd had as a science obsessed kid when I was growing up. Released 17th Sept 2019 from Quarto on their QEB imprint, it's 80 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats.

Author Nick Arnold (the guy behind the Horrible Science and Wild Lives series) writes humorously and appealingly for younger readers. The physics and chemistry lessons he presents are wonderfully gooey, cool, sticky, and grounded in real science. The messy bits are highlighted with sidebar warnings (food colouring stains!, get an adult's help!, etc).

The book has a graphically appealing layout, with experiments grouped together in chapters: mad mixtures, floating and forces, colourful chemistry, heating and eating, easy freezy!, ending with a short glossary and index. The experiments themselves include a materials sidebar, step by step instructions, a short description of the concept(s) involved and bright colorful graphics and inset photography.

As an aside, the spelling, terminology, and slang in the book are British. There's no problem in context, but readers from other areas (the USA) should be aware of some differences (torch, washing up liquid, sticky tack, fizzy lemonade). The book is well worth the negligible potential hassle of remembering that torch means flashlight and not a flaming firebrand (which could be quite spectacular in this context).

Well written and appealing. This would be a great book to use for primary to middle grade kids in a classroom context. It would also make a great weekend activity book for parents and kids to do together. I could see some of these being great library workshop or camp type activities.

Five stars. Good stuff here.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.