Voice of Youth Advocates

These two choices are quite similar in format yet very different in theme. The books each contain twenty workshops that can be used as science fair projects. Each investigation is a scientific inquiry that answers a basic question. The workshops in Crime Scene Science focus on forensics. They include observing footprints, examining fingerprints, mapping crime scenes, and analyzing blood splatters. Bug Science is a collection of workshops that focus on some type of bug. Projects include training a cricket to recognize smells, building a catapult to study a jumping insect, comparing the eating habits of different bugs, and determining the reproduction rate of compost worms. Instructions include the required materials and procedures, time involved, and suggestions for additional resources. Adult direction may be required. In spite of the subtitles, I think they are also excellent resources for science teachers who are looking for activities that promote the development of a variety of skills and concepts utilizing cooperative learning groups. The activities are particularly valuable for upper elementary and middle school youth. These inexpensive resources are valuable for students and teachers as classroom activities or individual enrichment activities.ùMarilyn Brien.

ALA Booklist (Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Overachievers take note: this collection of 20 science fair show-stoppers "will make your teachers and judges love you," and that's no mere boast. Significantly deeper than most science-fair tutorials, this entry in the Science Fair Winners series capitalizes on the popularity of CSI-style entertainment and brings it comfortably onto the middle- or high-school stage (and without a single human cadaver!). High-interest topics abound: footprint casting, crime scene mapping, lie detection, and even compelling tricks like decoding those weird little bars the postal service stamps onto letters. With boxes inciting readers to "Go the Extra Mile!," this is geared toward the motivated, but procrastinators aren't left in the cold, thanks to a sidebar that breaks down each activity in terms of the concepts covered, the adult supervision required, and the time needed (no sense trying a three-day experiment if the fair is in three hours). The biggest drawback here is the almost total lack of photos, but that doesn't take away from the text's often astounding specificity. Go forth and claim your blue ribbons!

School Library Journal (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

YOUNG, Karen Romano . Crime Scene Science: 20 Projects and Experiments About Clues, Crimes, Criminals, and Other Mysterious Things . ISBN 978-1-4263-0522-1 ; ISBN 978-1-4263-0521-4 . LC 2009020387. ea vol: 80p. (Science Fair Winners Series). further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. National Geographic . 2009. PLB $24.90; pap. $12.95. Gr 4-8 These books provide a variety of "workshops" that encourage readers to experiment, observe, and survey two popular topics. The projects clearly define the time required, type of science, concepts, and amount of adult involvement needed. A question to consider; a plan to follow, including detailed steps; a list of required materials; and basic science facts that guide the workshop are also included. The last chapters discuss a variety of ways to present the projects. Series such as Robert Gardner's "Ace Your Science Project" and "Score! Sports Science Projects" (both Enslow, 2009) include more background information on the topic, but these books give additional opportunities for extending the basic projects along with detailed suggestions for presenting them. The cartoon illustrations will appeal to middle-grade scientists. Welcome additions to science-fair collections. Christine Markley, Washington Elementary School, Barto, PA

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

Each of these books presents twenty "workshops" along with general guidelines about the amount of time, various materials, scientific concepts and terminology, and safety issues required to complete a science-fair-worthy project. Readers need a good grasp of experimental design (or a helpful adult) to move from idea to completed project. Cartoon illustrations accompany the texts. Crime includes a reading list. Websites. Ind.