The Ben Franklin Book of Easy and Incredible Experiments: A Franklin Institute Science Museum Book
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, NYCopyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.