Janice VanCleave's Insects and Spiders: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects

by Janice VanCleave, Janice Van Cleave

Overview

Are spiders insects?

• Why do crickets chirp?

• How do caterpillars become butterflies?

Janice VanCleave's Insects and Spiders includes 20 fun and simple experiments that help you discover the answers to these and other fascinating questions that may be "bugging" you about critters that crawl, burrow, or fly. You'll also find dozens of suggestions for developing your own science fair projects.

Make an insect model out of clay, paper, and toothpicks. Discover what straws can tell you about a grasshopper's eyes. Use a jar of baby food to learn how flies eat. All these experiments use inexpensive household materials and involve a minimum of preparation and cleanup.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471163961
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	02/28/1998
Series:	Spectacular Science Project Series , #13
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	8.10(w) x 8.21(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

JANICE VANCLEAVE, the author of the popular Science for Every Kid series, is a former science teacher and a captivating presenter at museums, schools, and bookstores nationwide

Table of Contents

Catchers.

Diggers.

Jointed.

3-D.

Break Out.

Wigglers.

Changers.

Gradual.

Bug-Eyed.

Lifters.

Clingers.

Juicy.

Survivors.

Singers.

Follow Me.

Workers.

Builders.

Hosts.

Relatives.

Snares.

Appendix.

Glossary.

Index.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 3-5-This title is chock-full of meaningful, but not difficult, projects. Each of the 20 chapters begins with a scientific query related to a specific topic, such as insect anatomy, and is followed by step-by-step directions for an experiment that will answer it, a statement of expected results, and a succinct explanation of the scientific reasons for them. Several variations of the project are suggested with guidelines for expanding it into a science-fair entry. A paragraph at the end of each chapter suggests other lines of research, occasionally recommending a specific book for further reading. Clear line drawings illustrate the text on almost every page. An appendix provides a short list of biological supply companies. This title has all of the characteristics of the best science-experiment books. The lucid text is well organized and liberally sprinkled with safety warnings. VanCleave stresses that live subjects must be properly treated and returned to their habitats. The required materials are generally inexpensive and easily obtainable. Few science experiment books include insects. Ellen Doris's Entomology (Thames & Hudson, 1993) offers several similar projects, but does not explain how to prepare exhibits. Budding biologists will welcome this title.-Karey Wehner, San Francisco Public Library

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