The Science Spell Book: Magical Experiments for Kids

by Cara Florance

Overview

Use science to create REAL magic with 30 dazzling experiments you can do at home—the perfect science gift for kids!

Written by biochemist Cara Florance, The Science Spell Book is the perfect way to engage kids while teaching them about science. Readers will learn about physics, biology, chemistry and more with amazing activities like:

• Elixir of Enlightenment—brew a stunning color-changing tea!
• Chaotic Calling—learn about chaos theory while creating art with a pendulum!
• Fluorescent Feast—create a meal that glows under a black light!
• North Divination—make a homemade compass!

Each experiment includes simple instructions, diagrams to follow along with, and an explanation of the science behind each magical experiment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781728232522
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	07/06/2022
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	84,424
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 8.60(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Cara Florance is a biochemist specializing in catalytic RNA. She has a BS in chemistry from Iona College and PhD in biochemistry from University of Colorado, Boulder. She lives in Boston with her husband and two children. Her little girls inspired her to create Brave the Elements, an online resource for parents to bring science into the home.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Foreword for Caregivers 1

How to Use This Book 3

What to Keep in Your Cupboard 5

Infusions 13

Elixir of Enlightenment 21

Brew a stunning blue tea that changes color when an edible acid is added to it!

Masked Message 24

Use pH indicators to relay secret messages!

Spectral Breath 29

Use your breath to change the color of a solution!

Color Inversion Spell 33

Create colorful salt-painting art using only one paint!

Sanguine Energy 38

Draw with electricity!

Transfigured Fare 43

Enjoy a color-changing snack!

Illumination 51

Spellbound Circuit 57

Draw the conductors of a circuit using a pencil!

Magic Wand 63

Create a magic wand that will light up when you grasp the stick in a certain way!

Fluorescent Feast 66

Create a meal that glows under a black light!

Astral Invocation 71

Make your own candles with a solar oven!

Extinguishing Effervescence 77

Combine baking soda and vinegar to create carbon dioxide, then use it to extinguish a flame without touching it!

Glowing Gauntlets 80

Create bracelets that light up when you cross your wrists!

Sorcery 89

The Oracle 99

Turn a classic wiggle-bot into a future-predicting game!

Rune Stones 104

Make trick stones that attract and repel each other like magic!

Planet Portal 109

Make a spin art box to create your own multimedia planet-inspired art!

Chaotic Calling 115

Learn about chaos theory by making art with magnets and a pendulum!

North Divination 123

Make a homemade compass!

Magnetic Manifestation 127

Generate a magnetic field using electricity to create an electromagnet!

Alchemy 133

Starch Transmogrification 141

Create a biodegradable bioplastic from household items!

Forge of the Microbes 147

Use microbes in kombucha to grow a biomat, then dry it to create a leather-like material!

Aquafaba Ascension 153

Use the liquid from a can of chickpeas (called aquafaba) to create a stunning and sweet treat!

Primal Pigments

Make your own watercolors and paints using natural products!

Magical Manna 162

Make artisan yeast bread with a twist-a purple center!

Sorcerer's Stone 167

Extract pink dye from avocado stones!

Mimicry 177

Arachnid Revivification 181

Assemble a wiggle-bot that will spin a web with your help!

Forest Nymph Conjuring 184

Craft a movable hand!

Dance of the Druids 189

Use dance to communicate the location of a treasure!

Biomineralization 193

Grow your own beautiful crystals!

Mercurial Larva 199

Create a trick toy that flips and turns when it is tilted!

Bewitching Blossoms 202

Make fluorescent cut flowers!

Glossary 209

Editorial Reviews

"Budding scientists who enjoy the lure of magic, potions, spells and sorcery will enjoy tinkering around with an adult in a home or school based laboratory while conducting these unusual experiments" — Youth Services Book Review

"Wizardry with appeal for those both science-inclined and not" — Kirkus

"This delightful collection of 30 experiments [showcases] the science behind seemingly magical activities while still embracing the wonder of nature... Enchanting fun for kitchen scientists, classroom connections, or library programming" — Booklist

"This is an appealing resource to encourage children, parents, teachers, and librarians to explore, enjoy, and celebrate ­science" — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

07/01/2022

Gr 3–6—In this unique approach to science, Florance attempts to capture readers' sense of wonder about the natural world and combine it with a scientific explanation of how these wonders occur. In this way, excitement and explanation are joined. The book is combined into five sections—infusions (pH and indicators), illumination (light), sorcery (forces), alchemy (physical and chemical changes), and mimicry (biology-inspired engineering). Each section contains several activities for children to try out and observe, many of which require several materials and adult supervision. The activities are introduced with a magical spell for readers to chant, some information about the "magical" history involved, colorful photos, and the science involved. For example, the section on infusions begins with a brief historical look at plants as medicine, an explanation of how acids and bases can cause chemical changes, and a chant along, with directions for making a blue tea that changes color when an edible acid is added. The author's knowledge and enthusiasm are evident throughout, and the detailed layout will keep readers engaged. The many activities provided are interesting and doable, but they vary in difficulty and amount of materials needed. VERDICT This is an appealing resource to encourage children, parents, teachers, and librarians to explore, enjoy, and celebrate science.—Myra Zarnowski

School Library Journal

2022-04-27
Science enchantment explored through 30 projects.

Florance offers an intriguing entry into scientific phenomena for middle-grade readers. She groups these magical-seeming but science-based projects into five broad categories: infusions (acids, bases, and indicators), illumination (light), sorcery (forces such as gravity and electromagnetism), alchemy (physical and chemical changes), and mimicry (biologically inspired engineering). Each section includes an introduction explaining why these phenomena appeared magical to people in the past and a brief overview of the scientific concepts. Each activity is introduced with a “spell” consisting of four rhyming lines that outline the project’s process and outcome. The materials will require some adult help to obtain, and adult supervision is often suggested. The step-by-step directions are clear and accompanied by colorful drawings and photographs. The projects range widely in scope and difficulty. Using pliers, readers take apart a highlighter pen to make flowers fluoresce under black light. Young people are also invited to complete an electric circuit through a pencil-line drawing and create “rune stones” with clay and small magnets. More skilled readers can cook food that glows under black light and make meringues from chickpea liquid and candles in a solar oven. For those who like to tinker, there are clever wiggle-bots made with hobby motors, batteries, LEDs, and hot glue. Teachers and youth group leaders as well as parents will welcome this volume.

Wizardry with appeal for those both science-inclined and not. (glossary) (Nonfiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews