700 Science Experiments for Everyone

I loved this book as a kid. It was a lot of fun to read and the experiments I tried were fun to implement. I even combined a couple of the experiments into a siphon powered water fountain that got me to the science fair finals. As another reviewer noted, the descriptions of the science behind the experiments is brief. A really deep understanding of the principals behind the experiments needs a little reading outside of the book, but it was intended as a teaching aid, not a textbook all by itself. I'm getting a copy to use with my son, largely because I learned so much and had so much fun with it when I was a kid.

I haven't seen this book since elementary school, but I had a lot of fun reading it and trying some of the experiments. Yes, there was an electric arc kiln project in the original version. It used the carbon rods from old batteries, a flowerpot for the kiln, and to adjust the current, a rheostat made with lead fishing weights in a jar of salt water. I couldn't get it to work: the breaker would blow as soon as I got it close to arcing. My other favorite from the elementary library was Alfred Morgan's "Simple Chemical Experiments", particularly the chapter on "Safe Fireworks".

This book is a must for any secondary school science club or school fair (age 11+, and probably of particular interest to boys). The 250 pages are crammed with 700 experiments that adults and children can do at home or school. Many experiments would suit preteens with some adult help, and would be suitable for fun Primary school demos. The experiments cover everything from static electricity, forces and rocks to plants and animals and the weather. They tend to concentrate on fun physics which is very usefull as many kids find that subject rather dull. A few 'experiments' are ideas like 'setting up an aquarium for larger water animals' or are informative like 'a chart of the constellations of the zodiac' (but don't expect much detail). The book also has ten pages devoted to suggestions for the teaching of general science. Note that this is a book of 'experiments' as stated in the title, and not a 'theory' book. Having a PhD in science and a school teaching qualification I suppose I don't need any detailed 'theory' in the text, but as discussed by other reviewers younger Primary school children (under 10) may not understand why things happen from this book and would benefit from an adult's explanation. Older kids will get the theory from standard school text books and their teachers, and so enjoy the experiments more. In many cases it may also be fun working out why it is happening (try the net and library books). The book is really a facimile of the original book published in the late 50's ('revised & enlarged' in 1962), so the appendices listing books and periodicals like UK's 'Meccano Magazine Monthly' at 1 Shilling (20 cents) per copy are hopelessly out of date, although they add a real period charm. The experiments are classics though and haven't dated (but don't expect DNA sequencing). The book is nicely bound and presented with a 'modern' looking cover. It has loads of 'line drawing' illustrations (typically 4+ per page). It is a hard read though for younger children and they will need adult help. The reviews on the book's back cover probably say it all: "A book of simple experiments requiring materials readily available at home", "Usefull for science clubs and fair projects", "A rare find for the scientifically inclined youth. It is complete, fascinating and comprehensive", "Try this book for family fun and learning". The book was created by a team of US, UK and French 'science instructors', and compiled by UNESCO in Paris.

I grew up with this book in the 70's. It is packed full of simple apparatus to build covering most fields of science. For some reason, the weather instruments you can build stand out in my mind as particularly engaging - and of course the chemistry examples.I seem to recall a carbon-rod oven/kiln you could build (I did) and it seems to have gone missing in this more modern edition (and perhaps just as well, it was truly dangerous). Otherwise, this is good old fashioned science experiments and apparatus straight out of the 60's. It is getting to be a tired old saw, but I have to say it: this book helps in some small way to fill what has gone missing in modern education and a child's youth. Turn off the T.V. and head into the garage/basement for some science fun and education.

I grew up with this book in the early 1960's. It is a true classic. UNESCO's intention was to make science education possible in parts of the world where sophisticated apparatus is unavailable. The effect has been to create concise, memorable illustrations of scientific principles available to everyone.