NetGalley Review: Real Science Experiments by Jessica Harris

For a small, semi-rural library, my place of work has a pretty well developed STEM/STEAM program.  Part of keeping that program going is always being on the lookout for "cheap and cheerful" projects.  With am aim to keep elementary and middle-grade patrons engaged with science, Real Science Experiments by Jessica Harris provides a fantastic list of just that kind of project.  If you are a tech librarian, a science teacher or just a parent to curious children, this book is a winner. 

As someone who is tasked with bringing STEAM into public library service, I loved this book.  The procedures were well written, the background in science well presented and all the supplies are easily procured.  When one is working with a public library budget, a book full of fun experiments that can be done with supplies you likely have on hand is a dream come true.  

The digital edition offers great features to navigate the book and get more information for further study, though a hard copy would be a fantastic tool for anyone interested in STEM/STEAM education.  Kids, tween and teens would be able to read this book, and execute the experiments, pretty independently (great for self-guided learning) or the text could serve as a solid base for introductory STEAM curriculum.  I would have loved to have had his resource when I was starting out creating our Makerspace/STEAM program.

This is a great “junk drawer science” book sure to be a hit with young scientists and educators alike.