The books in this series follow a similar layout by opening with a general introduction about science and science fairs and explaining that the best science fair ideas are not taken directly from a book but are original. A brief explanation of the scientific method is given along with hints for choosing a project and safety guidelines. Each chapter contains an overview of the science behind the topic at hand. The basic scientific facts involved in each experiment are explained, but the reader is encouraged to adapt and expand the experiments, creating an original project. Additional books and Web sites are offered to help students go beyond the steps described in the book. Ace Your Human Biology Science Project starts with a brief discussion of the human body before launching into the first of six project ideas within that area. Other chapters discuss the various body systems along with human genetics and experiment ideas for measuring things like personality and memory. The projects are explained in full detail, with a list of materials needed as well as relevant safety precautions. In Ace Your Ecology and Environmental Science Project, the reader finds detailed chapters on organisms, cycles, population ecology, and humans and the environment. Each chapter, again, provides an excellent overview and then explains several basic experiments. This series is well organized and precise. The scientific explanations are thorough while still being concise. The directions for each experiment are clear and easy to follow. The strength of this series, however, is perhaps also its weakness. The books explain the fundamentals to readers and then encourage them to discover more. For advanced, self-directed students likely to seek answers themselves, these books are perfect. They offer enough information and direction to get students started on what will ultimately be an original project. By encouraging students to use more than one resource, this series enables the development an

Dozens of life- and physical-science activities are presented with background information, step-by-step instructions, and suggestions for extending to the science fair level. Many of the experiments are quite involved, requiring access to difficult-to-obtain scientific materials, the use of mathematics, and careful data collection (sometimes over extended periods of time). Color illustrations and important safety information are included. Reading list, websites. Ind.