The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry

Summary:

“From Sean Connolly, the master of messy and dangerous (and therefore extra-fun) science, a collection of more than 20 hands-on experiments that are like an interactive journey through the periodic table of elements.

In this  introduction to chemistry for STEM-curious kids ages 9 and up, each chapter of The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistryfocuses on a single element—its properties, how it was discovered, and even its potential danger level. Easy-to-follow experiments help readers put their newfound knowledge into action. All that’s needed is a sense of adventure and some items from around the house. 

Make your own fossil with silicon. Use a pinhead and measure 166 feet of string for a mind-boggling insight into how a hydrogen atom is built. Discover oxygen and oxygenation by slicing an apple and seeing what happens an hour later. Harness the power of zinc with a potato clock. And enjoy a special hands-off feature about the “Dirty Dozen”—those nasty elements, from arsenic to plutonium, that can wreak havoc wherever they appear (there are no experiments using these chemicals). Matter really matters, and now you’ll really understand why. (Taken from the publisher’s website)

Review:

This is such an interesting book – so much more than just information or experiments! You get a little bit of both! Each chapter focuses on a different element. Telling readers what it looks like, how and when it was discovered, and how it’s used. Then it follows with an experiment with items that you can easily find at home or the grocery store. Some experiments take just a few minutes while others take a day or two depending on the element. At the end of the book is a page spread of some of the more dangerous elements that kids shouldn’t be experimenting with.

What I really liked about this book is the clear, easy to follow instructions on the experiments and each experiment includes a “What’s Going On?” section to explain how the element reacts and why. This book would definitely be helpful to kids looking for a science fair experiment or for kids interested in chemistry and experimenting for fun!

Final Thoughts:

A great introduction to the periodic table of elements with 24 hands-on experiments for young scientists to try!

Important Info:

Title: The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry
Author: Sean Connolly
Publisher: Workman Publishing
Publication Date: October 30, 2018
Page Count: 241 pgs.