Explore Night Science!: With 25 Great Projects

Description

Explore Night Science! encourages 6-9 year olds to safely explore and understand what happens around the world when it is dark outside. Readers are led step by step into integrated, active explorations that uncover the science and technology of the natural and physical world that surrounds them. Kids learn about the rod and cone cells found in their eyes as they test their color vision at night, create a chorus mimicking the sounds of nocturnal animals, and make a personal stardome. Sidebars highlight a real kid who discovered a supernova, how Stonehenge is an ancient almanac, and what elephants and moths have in common. Kids will be amazed at the adaptations used by plants and animals to survive and thrive in the dark of night. Whether they live in the country or in the city, kids will learn to use all of their senses to investigate the night.

Cindy Blobaum is the author of Explore Night Science! for Nomad Press, as well as Geology Rocks and Insectigations. She is a contributor to Highlights, Hopscotch for Girls, and Plays magazines and has designed science-based programs and teacher workshops for nature organizations throughout the United States. Cindy lives in Des Moines, Iowa. Bryan Stone is a cartoonist and the illustrator of several books for Nomad Press including Explore Night Science!, Explore Flight!, Explore Rivers and Ponds!, Explore Rocks and Minerals!, and Explore Electricity!. He lives in Hartland, Vermont.

School Library Journal "Six chapters cover the "when" and "why" of night; seeing, hearing, smelling, and feeling the night; and, finally, night lights. The chapters on the senses are a fine introduction to how human senses work, with experiments that further explore the concepts. It isn't all serious science as there are plenty of silly jokes, such as, "what did the atmosphere say to the Earth? 'I've got you covered!'" and a funny little cartoon owl mascot follows readers through the book... Information on what happens at night, nocturnal animal adaptations, and fun facts such as the reason that pirates wear eye patches will keep kids interested. This one will be worth staying up past bedtime for." Parents & Teachers (US.Kids Magazine) "Explore Night Science! is filled with fun, step-by-step activities that explore what happens in plants, animals, the sky, and our own human bodies after the sun goes down. This book is a great introduction to the investigative process, teaching little scientists how to attract night insects, imitate night sounds, build a stardust trap, and more!" Booklist Online "... activities are well-suited to elementary-age scientists and encourage kids to follow through on observing and recording post-experiment. Relevant, informative text precedes the activities, thereby enriching each one. Nighttime is inherently cool to kids, and this book will undoubtedly make it even cooler." National Science Teachers Association (NSTA Recommends) "... science content is explained in kid--friendly language that sets the stage for the hands--on activities used to investigate the concepts outdoors." Bookloons "Designed for children six and older who wish to learn more about what happens outdoors when the sun goes down, this book encourages the safe exploration of the nighttime changes in the plant and animal kingdoms as well as in the sky above and the human body...Both teachers and parents will find this a valuable book for creating special projects for their students or children. Follow the step-by-step instructions and there shouldn't be any problems with these activities."