SUPER Science Experiments: Build It (Super Science, #2)

by Elizabeth Snoke Harris

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

SUPER Science Experiments: Build It: Build rockets and racers and test energy forces! is a new STEAM activity guide for young readers (and their resource adults/caregivers) by Elizabeth Snoke Harris. Released 14th April 2020 by Quarto on their MoonDance Press imprint, it's 64 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is one volume of a series of simple and practical science experiments aimed at middle school aged learners (ages 8+). This one contains over 75 tutorials (I didn't count carefully) covering concepts in mechanics, fluid dynamics, engineering, and more. This is full of fun maker activities for things that fly, go, zoom, and whiz.

Everyone needs fun learning ideas for youngsters (and adults) in these bizarre days. Science and learning have always been my go-to stress and boredom busters whenever I have to stay home and can't go out. This collection is simple, full of easy to follow experiments and activities, and uses easy to find ingredients which most readers already have available around the house.

There are a number of activities which can be done by kids themselves without supervision. All safety information and tips are clearly delineated in the text. The tutorials themselves are accessible and written simply in easy to understand language.

The illustrations are simple and well done. They support and enhance the experiments. Each of the exercises has a list of ingredients, step by step instructions, and a "What's Happening" explanation of the relevant concepts at the end of each one. The tutorial measurements are given in American standard measures (pounds, cups, and so forth). There is also a very abbreviated index at the back of the book. It should be noted that these are *simple* experiments, and that some of the explanations might be somewhat oversimplified and not very complete (in my opinion). It would be a good additional exercise to research a little deeper about the concepts covered in the chapters to get more complete understanding and deeper learning.

This would make a super book for science homeschooling units, makers groups (when we can go out again), or even online school instruction sessions.

Four stars.

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