Gonzo Gizmos: Projects & Devices to Channel Your Inner Geek

From the cover design, I thought this would be another impractical "How to build a laser" book with advice like "just get a laser-grade ruby and connect it to a 10Kv power supply". Instead everyhting in this book is simple and practical. I think any 13 year old who put his or her mind to it could build most of the projects in this book. Even more importantly, the book offers explainations for *why* things work. These explainations are surprisingly good. I've read a lot of science books in the past 30 years and I got some insight from the great expaination for why iron filings line up the way they do in a magnetic field. Think about it- do you REALLY understand why they form lines rather than just all piling up at the poles? Highly recommended for a science-interested kid. Even recommended for a science-interested adult. Even if you don't build any of the projects you'll probably learn something.

I stumbled upon the author's website, scitoys.com, and have since constructed a number of the projects that are also described in this book, not just for my kids and my older son's 3rd grade class, but also for (ahem) myself. I *love* that many are projects I'd never heard of yet rely on *very* ordinary parts and very little effort to get going. Some of these, such as the "Beakman motor," are covered elsewhere on the web, but I prefer his treatment of it. The author's strikes a delightful bemused tone rather than the bombast of the usual science popularizer, and although he sells many of the parts there is no pressure to buy (he frequently simply gives the Radio Shack part # for the ordinary stuff). I have also corresponded with him by email, and will be suggesting some of the projects for a local school outreach program planned by a reputable nearby museum (Washington, DC). His work has influenced me, reviving a childhood interest and sparking a new path. Thanks, this book will make a great gift. :)

I have looked at a number of similar books that provide interesting science activities that are cool enough to hold a childs interest. However, most of them have moderately good things to create that take a lot of hands on time from parents. By the time the fun science project is done, the kids have lost interest. Not so with Simon Field's "Gonzo Gizmos". The first project I attempted was a simple candle powered steamboat with my 6 y.o. daughter. After purchasing a bit of flexible 1/8 inch copper tubing at the hardware store (the hard part) we created a great working steamboat in about 15 minutes, and my daughter did most of the work. She took several baths with it putting around the tub, brought it to school for her "Show and Tell", and can even tell you how it works. I then went onto the "Gauss Rifle" with my 9 y.o. son. Wow!!!Most of the projects take only a little time, and if you can't find the materials, he gives you a nice website to purchase them. This is a really fun book that you can dive into and get kids engaged in a few minutes with a project that will teach them real science, and will be cool enough to brag about with their friends. Moreover the layout is great. A description of the project and what it does, including great titles; then a cookbook list of materials, and where to get them; a recipe; and then a darn good description of the science behind the project. Believe me, with project titles like "The Hydrogen Bomb" (A battery powered H2O dialysis machine that after separating the Oxygen and Hydrogen is ignited with a piezo electric sparker, causes a small explosion that squirts water several feet into the air!), how could any kid resist! Moreover, how could a parent resist. Buy this and try it. It is really great.