Getting Started at the Library

Electronic Resources (http://www.tcpl.lib.in.us/er.html):
Tippecanoe County offers remote access to several databases including:

Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Online (Encyclopedia Americana, New Book of Knowledge, & the New Book of Popular Science)

Ebscohost which allows you to look up full-text magazine articles

Newsbank which allows for searching newspaper articles and features

Gale's Biography Resource Center

Facts.com which covers news and historical documents from 1940 - present.

BOOKS TO GET IDEAS

Ardley, Neil.   101 Great Science Experiments   (J 507.2 Ardl).
DK's answer to experiments. Beautiful full color pictures of real experiments and people.   This is a great change of pace from some of the line drawing books that are so often published for science study, very simple experiments for 2nd - 4th grade.

Bochinski, Julianne Blair.   Complete Handbook of Science Fair Projects   (J 507.2 Boch).
Just like the title says, an overview of the whole process with some good ideas for projects and presentation.  This can be a reference or an idea getting book.   Elementary.

Brallier, Jess.   Bouncing Science   (J 507.2 Bral).
Think sports scandal!  You can solve the 1956 baseball controversy between the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox: by answering the question: Does a cooked baseball fly farther?  4th and up.

Brallier, Jess.   Hairy Science   (J 507.2 Bral).
Have you ever compared hair?  Between your dog & cat?  How about between your classmates?  This book has great ideas with tips for group science fair projects, too!  3rd and up.

Downie, Neil.   Vacuum Bazookas, Electric Rainbow Jelly and 27 Other Saturday Science Projects   (507.2 D751V).
Not only are these interesting things to try, but also included are great explanantions for why they work!  Middle School and up.  

Gardner, Robert.   Science Projects About the Science Behind Magic   (507.2 G228M2).
Many scientific principles allow the slight of hand and optical illusion and even chemistry that are the magician's best friend.   Ever wondered how they do it?  Maybe your science fair project can reveal the secret!  4th grade and up.

Green, Joey.   Mad Scientist Handbook: How to Make Your Own Rock Candy, Anti-Gravity Machine...  (507.2 G796M).
Did you know you can make plastic from milk and vinegar?  Did you know you can make quicksand out of cornstarch, coffee and water?   This book really made me want to do some of these at home -- kitchen chemistry! Some special ingredients are involved.   5th grade and up.

Henderson, Joyce.   So You Have to Do A Science Fair Project  (J 507.2 Hend).
Guide designed for parents to use with children, helps establish boundaries, roles and makes sure that you work as a team!   3rd and up.

Parker, Steve.   Shocking, Slimy, Stinky, Shiny Science Fair Experiments  (J 507.2 Park).
Recipes for slimes abound, and with pictures to inspire you, this book can bring out the scientist in any kid!   2nd and up.

Richards, John.   Science Factory: Easy to Make Science Experiments...  (J 507.2 Rich).
This book and the more specialized ones that followed is most notable for the full color pictures.   Simple and complex experiments for school aged kids with clear instructions and sidebars for explanations.   3rd and up.

Rybolt, Thomas R.   Science Fair Success with Scents, Aromas, and Smells
(J 507.2 Rybo).
Future perfumers unite! Covers aspects of smells, smelling and the science behind them.  Get your olifactory senses in gear to try this one.   4th and up.

  Scientific American Great Science Fair Projects  (J 507.2 Scie)
Curiosity is the basis for this work which covers all the sciences (biology, chemistry, earth science, etc.) and has extensions for each topic.  4th and up.

Tocci, Salvatore.   Science Fair Success Using Household Products  (J 507.2 Salv)
Last minute scientists, fear not!  You may have everything you need to do a great project right in your own house!  5th and up.

VanCleave, Janice Pratt.   Janice VanCleave's Help! My Science Fair Project is Due Tomorrow!  (J 507.2 Vanc)
The name Janice Van Cleave can be the only name you need to know -- she's done books on science fair projects for every field of science.   Black and white cartoon illustrations fill these books and there are forms, note card tips and additional research, and advice for writing up your work are always included.   She is always a dependable source.  2nd and up.

VIDEO

  Preparing a Successful Science Fair Project  (J Video 507.2 Prep)

CD-ROM

  Amateur Scientist  (J 507.2 Amat)

The following are "games" but they are cleverly designed and force players to employ scientific principles -- ask questions, make guesses, examine outcomes, draw conclusions, etc.   From these games, the spark of a science fair project idea may arise.

  Bioscopia   (J 530 Bios)

  Gungan Frontier   (J 793.73 Star)

  Physicus   (J 570 Phys)

MAGAZINES

  Click .

  Cousteau Kids   (formerly Dolphin Log ).

  Dig .

  Discover

  Kids Discover.

  Popular Science.

  Science News