Rainbow Science Experiment

curious kids science book excerpt

I’m thrilled to have a chance to share my new book with you here at Pre-K Pages. My name is Asia Citro, and I’m a former classroom science teacher with a Master’s in Science Education. I write over at Fun at Home with Kids, and my first book, 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids, came out last fall. Today I’m here to share a bit about my second book for kids ages 4 to 8, The Curious Kid’s Science Book, including a sneak peek at an activity, rainbow science experiment, from the book.

Science book make a rainbow experiment for preschool

The Curious Kid’s Science Book

One of the things you’ll notice right away about The Curious Kid’s Science Book is that it’s not your typical science activity book. Traditionally science activity books contain demonstrations with step-by-step directions and given measurements. My book does not. Why?

science book for kids make a rainbow
Because scientists researching in laboratories don’t work this way. They aren’t repeating set experiments created by someone else day in and day out. They are pioneering. They are asking their own questions, conducting their own investigations, and creating their own experiments. Children are born with natural curiosity and this book aims to capitalize on that and help them hone and build upon their natural STEM skills in an authentic way.

curious kids science book
The book covers the following topics:

  • Plants and Seeds
  • Food and Candy
  • Mold, Bacteria, and Fungus
  • Environmental Science
  • Water and Ice
  • Engineering
  • Baking Soda and Vinegar
  • Living Things

 

Each topic has its own chapter, and each chapter begins with an age-appropriate explanation of the topic.

The 100+ activities in the book are further divided into three types: explore, experiment, and challenge.

Explore activities have a basic set up and allow children to do what they do best – explore! These are open-ended activities, and each child will proceed in their own unique way. I include prompts for extending their investigations and any relevant real-life tie-ins.

Experiment activities start with a given question and give some gentle guidance as the children are prompted to construct their own experiment. In the beginning of the book (pages 21-26), you’ll find some background information on how to support your young scientists with the different steps of the scientific method. At the end of each experiment activity, you’ll find a photo and summary of how a real young scientist (between the ages of 4 and 8) designed their experiment and what their results were. Again you’ll find relevant real-life applications mentioned wherever they apply. Finally, you’ll find challenge activities, which are designed to teach children the value of making many attempts at solving a problem. Much of science is learning from failed experiments or solutions.

Challenge activities are intended to encourage critical thinking skills and patience, but don’t worry, they’re also lots of fun!

Today I’m sharing an experiment from the book: “What Kind of Paper Makes a Rainbow the Fastest?” Remember you can find background information on water at the beginning of the chapter containing this experiment, and you can find detailed information on how to support your young scientists as they design their own experiments at the beginning of the book.

This copyrighted excerpt is reproduced with explicit written permission from the publisher. It may not be shared on other sites without first obtaining permission from the publisher.

curious kids science book excerpt
curious kids science book excerpt

Thank you so much for the opportunity to share The Curious Kid’s Science Book with you! The book is available in most US bookstores, as well as online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and internationally on many sites, including The Book Depository and International Amazon sites.

BIO: Asia Citro is a former classroom science teacher with a Master’s in Science Education. She writes at Fun at Home with Kids. You can connect with Asia on Facebook and Pinterest.

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3 thoughts on “Rainbow Science Experiment”

  1. Pingback: Science Experiments and Mom’s Library #161 | True Aim

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