Junk Drawer Biology - (Junk Drawer Science) by Bobby Mercer (Paperback)

About the Book

"Biology is the study of life, and all the wonderful, squishy, messy parts that living things are made of. And children love messy science, especially hands-on experimentation! Junk Drawer Biology will demonstrate that you don't need high-tech equipment to make learning fun-just what you can find in your recycling bin and around the house. Aspiring doctors can build a model of human lungs with balloons and a soda bottle, and a homemade stethoscope with tubing and plastic lid. Budding gardeners will germinate beans and explore how leaves "breathe" and "sweat." And all ages will enjoy a double helix made of candy. Science educator Bobby Mercer provides readers with hands-on experiments to explain the building blocks of living matter for children of all ages. The projects can be modified to meet the skill levels of the children doing them, from elementary school kids to teenagers. Though each challenge includes suggested materials and one step-by-step, illustrated solution, children are encouraged to think further come up with more questions to answer. Educators and parents will find this title a handy resource to teach children while having a lot of fun"--

Book Synopsis

There's no need for expensive, high-tech lab equipment to perform biology experiments--you probably have all you need in your home junk drawer. Use balloons, drinking straws, and empty plastic bottles to construct working models of hearts and lungs. Investigate plant transpiration and photosynthesis with leaves and resealable bags. Build a candy DNA model using gumdrops, toothpicks, and licorice rope. Study capillary action in plant xylem using colored water and paper towels. Extract DNA from a banana using a simple chemical process. Or learn how to turn a smartphone into a photographic microscope.

Here are more than 50 great hands-on experiments that can be performed for just pennies . . . or less. Each project has a materials list, detailed step-by-step instructions with illustrations, and a brief explanation of the scientific principle being demonstrated--seed germination, osmosis, human senses and systems, chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis, and more.

About the Author

Bobby Mercer has been sharing the fun of science for more than two decades as a high school physics teacher. He is the author of Junk Drawer Physics, Junk Drawer Chemistry, and Junk Drawer Geometry.