Sean Connolly is called “the master of daring STEM books.” We can see (and read) why.
His latest tome, The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry: 24 Experiments for Young Scientists (Workman Publishing, $14.95,) turns questions like “Why does helium make balloons float?” and “How does fluoride protect teeth?” into learning opportunities. It’s a journey through the periodic table of elements with Connolly.
Ingeniously marrying science and fun, it is a perfect introduction to chemistry for curious kids as well as those who might prefer a more engaging approach to science. It’s like having a miniature science lab between two covers.
The book puts knowledge into action using household ingredients to conduct 24 awesome, hands-on experiments, including:
- Sodium: Make “hot ice” by crystallizing vinegar and baking soda into sodium acetate.
- Neon: See how this gas emits light by powering a light bulb with static electricity.
- Iron: Submerge steel wool in vinegar to see how this metal oxidizes.
- Phosphorus: Play cat detective by using ultraviolet light to locate bad cat smells!