Science Stunts: Fun Feats of Physics

by Jordan D. Brown, Anthony Owsley (Illustrator)

Overview

DO try this at home!
 
Science Stunts will start a chain reaction of fun and experimentation outside the lab. Readers will be amazed and delighted as they try magic tricks that are based in important physics concepts such as gravity, inertia, magnetism, sound vibrations, and more. Narrated by a humorous science showman, Dr. Dazzleberry (known to his fans as "Dr. Dazz"), readers go on a journey through many amazing scientific discoveries.  Amusing, edifying commentary from cartoon versions of Newton, Galileo, and Einstein inspire student scientist to experiment with glee.
  
An appendix and short bios of the physicists featured provide fascinating facts about the scientists' lives and achievements.


"Magical science that's amazing, astounding, and sure to appeal to middle-grade and middle school readers."
-Kirkus Reviews

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607349419
Publisher:	Charlesbridge
Publication date:	01/19/2016
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	80
Lexile:	960L (what's this?)
File size:	26 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jordan D. Brown has written award-winning books, articles, and websites for children, teachers, and parents. His clients include Scholastic, Sesame Workshop, TIME for Kids, and Thirteen/WNET. His nonfiction work includes Robo World, a biography of a robot designer (Joseph Henry Press); his children's fiction includes Just Kidding! and Animal E.R. Brown has written science articles, games, and humorous songs about astronomy, paleontology, marine biology, and much more for the American Museum of Natural History's kids website, OLogy. Brown has also served as Educational Consultant for a variety of preschool children's shows, including The Mr. Men Show (Cartoon Network), Dinosaur Train (PBS), My Friend Rabbit (NBC), and Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends (Nickelodeon).

Read an Excerpt

The Magic of Science and the Science of Magic
 
“Magic’s just science that we don’t understand yet.”
            —Arthur C. Clarke, writer and inventor.
 
“If you’re scientifically literate, the world looks very different to you.”
            —Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist.
 
            I’ve loved doing science experiments since I was little. When I was about ten, my parents encouraged this passion by taking me to science museums, such as the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto and the Exploratorium in San Francisco. I had a marvelous time pressing buttons, lifting levers, cranking gears, creating sparks, and so much more. Around that age, I also became very interested in magic and loved to perform card tricks, make balls float, and cause coins to vanish. I even performed shows at birthday parties as the Amazing Nadroj (my first name backward) and the Great Jordini (after my hero, Houdini). So, many years later, when I was asked to write a book for kids on physics that featured entertaining “magical” experiments, I jumped at the chance.
            What is physics, anyway? It’s a branch of science that explores topics such as motion, energy, magnetism, electricity, light, and sound. Physicists study itty-bitty things, like atoms, as well as super big objects, like stars, planets, and even galaxies. Physicists ask mind-blowing questions such as, “What if there were no gravity?” “What if you could travel at the speed of light?” and “What would happen if I dropped this watermelon off a tall building?”
            As you play around with physics in this book, you’ll learn some amazing science-based tricks and experiments that you can share with your friends and family. I also hope that you’ll enjoy showing off what you learn in “the Science Behind the Stunts.”
            It’s time to turn things over to the host of this book, a curious and enthusiastic scientist and showman whose enthusiasm for physics is unmatched. I present to you the one, the only . . . Dr. Dazz!

Editorial Reviews

Showman Dr. Dazzleberry and his friends Galileo, Newton, and Einstein demonstrate and explain 25 astonishing science tricks.
In seven engaging chapters, this collection of science explorations spotlights traditional physical phenomena: gravity, motion, heat, magnets, sound, light, and electricity. Clear instructions for each demonstration are laid out like a recipe, with a list of easily obtainable necessary materials and step-by-step directions. These are followed by "The Science Behind the Stunt," humorously explained in a simple but usually accurate first-person narration from one of the scientists. Some tricks are very easy; others require more time and practice and, occasionally, the supervision of an "adult sidekick." Other precautionary measures suggested include fully reading directions and wearing eye protection or glasses and washing hands where appropriate. Some projects may be familiar, but others are likely to be new and intriguing. Not every trick will work the first time, Dr. Dazz reminds his readers. Sometimes trial and error as well as practice are necessary. Sidebars add extra information sure to appeal to intended readers, such as an after-Halloween Punkin Chunkin contest in Delaware and a rock band made up of deaf musicians. Helpful cartoonlike illustrations feature a diverse cast including the African-American Dr. Dazz, whose showmanship is only exceeded by his sense of humor.
Magical science that's amazing, astounding, and sure to appeal to middle-grade and middle school readers.
-Kirkus Reviews


Brown and Owsley follow 2012's Crazy Concoctions with another engaging collection of science experiments, this time centered around physics. Playing host to readers' explorations is Dr. Dazzleberry, an enthusiastic physicist/magician in a rhinestone-studded tuxedo, who is joined by cartoon representations of Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein. Brown includes 25 experiments, spread out over seven chapters devoted to gravity, magnetism, sound, light, and more. Motion-related experiments include creating a marshmallow catapult out of wooden craft sticks and using centripetal force to cause a penny to whiz around the inside of a balloon, à la a planet's orbit (sections titled "The Science Behind the Stunt" explain the forces at work behind each "trick"). Sidebars discussing real-life applications of physics (such as the record-breaking speeds of Japan's Maglev trains) round out this hands-on look at science in action.
-Publishers Weekly

Educational consultant Brown’s collection of hands-on science books continues with these 25 experiments on gravity, motion, temperature, magnets, sound, light, and electricity. The book is narrated by Dr. Dazz, a cartoon physicist and magician. He is accompanied by three cartoon sidekicks (Galileo Galilei, Sir Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein), who explain how each of the experiments works. Each activity includes a description, a list of required props, and a numbered list of instructions and ends with an explanation of the history and science behind the stunt. The activities range from a tea bag rocket to a straw oboe. Cartoon drawings of a diverse cast of children demonstrating the experiments liven the text and clearly illustrate concepts and instructions. Readers are presented with safety rules and tips in the introduction and reminded of them of them throughout the book. In addition, experiments requiring adult assistance are noted. VERDICT Brown’s humorous and upbeat presentation will appeal to readers and would be a worthwhile resource for classrooms and public libraries.
- School Library Journal Xpress Reviews

From the Publisher