Science Resources

Sometimes the best way to teach a subject is to lay some ground rules and then let students actually "do" what they're studying. This is especially true of science, a study predicated on activity, experimentation and the observation of physical properties. It's also one of the best ways to get kids interested in science in the first place.

If he hadn't stood atop the Tower of Pisa dropping things off the edge, Galileo would never have made his observation that objects of any weight fall at the same rate in a vacuum. Archimedes had to get in the tub to discover that it is volume that displaces water. And the only way Newton could discover calculus was by scribbling numbers on pieces of paper.

Your kid probably isn't the next Einstein, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't learn as much about science as possible, or that he should do so with his hands tied behind his back. The problem with a lot of science textbooks is that they emphasize book knowledge without taking into account the hands-on nature of science and science learning. Observation is often touted as an essential part of the science process, but rarely is it enforced in the typical school curriculum.

Science resources can change all that. There are plenty of fact-based books (particularly those from Usborne) that pair facts with vivid illustrations, and those are fun for rainy days—kids are a lot better at acquiring and retaining raw information than we often give them credit for. But those are just a place to start; the options are limitless.

One of the best sorts of science resource are books filled with experiments. Whether it's Explorabook from Klutz Press which focuses on fun activities and includes everything you need to complete them, or Vicki Cobb's Bet You Can! experiments using household items, or the more advanced Science for Every Kid books by Janice VanCleave, you aren't likely to run out of options.

Astronomy is more observation-oriented, and we offer plenty of books on that topic, too. The Stars by H.A. Rey is a now-classic guide to the night sky for beginners, while Starry Messenger explains some of the basic tenets of modern astronomy through the (detailed and beautifully illustrated) life of Galileo Galilei. Isaac Asimov has written a number of books on space science, as has Seymour Simon.

Just letting your kids outside with notebooks and maybe a magnifying glass is as good as any book for helping them develop a love of nature and nature study, though manuals to help them identify plants, animals, rocks, etc. is a good idea. One of our favorite such books is the Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Botsford Comstock.

Keeping a well-stocked chemistry lab is a good idea for older students. Many experiments require chemicals, ingredients and equipment you aren't likely to just have lying around, so you'll need to be intentional about keeping a lot of those things stocked. Field trips are always a good idea as well, whether to a local laboratory, observatory, zoo, factory, or anywhere else that strikes your kids' fancy and has educational potential.

Whatever else you do, keep an open mind while guiding your kids' science education. The beauty of God's world and the excitement of learning about it should always be kept in view; whatever difficulty there is in physics, biology or chemistry should be met head on but not dwelt on or made cause for discouragement. Have fun, and don't restrict your science time to reading stuff—take time to actually do science, and you might find along with your children that it isn't such a bad thing to study after all.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he is a husband and father, teaches adult Sunday school in his Presbyterian congregation, and likes weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.

 

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Among the Farmyard People
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Yesterday's Classics
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$10.95
Among the Farmyard People
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Living Book Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$13.99
Among the Forest People
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Yesterday's Classics
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$10.95
Among the Forest People
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Living Book Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$11.99
Among the Meadow People
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Yesterday's Classics
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$10.95
Among the Meadow People
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Living Book Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$10.99
Among the Night People
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Yesterday's Classics
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$10.95
Among the Night People
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Living Book Press
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$11.99
Among the Pond People
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Yesterday's Classics
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$10.95
Among the Pond People
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Living Book Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$11.99
Bird Watchers and Bird Feeders
by Glenn O. Blough, illustrated by Jeanne Bendick
2022nd edition from Purple House Press
for 2nd-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$12.99
Birds of the Air
Eyes and No Eyes #4
by Arabella B. Buckley
from Yesterday's Classics
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$15.95
Birds of the Air
Eyes and No Eyes #4
by Arabella B. Buckley
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$8.99
Burgess Animal Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Yesterday's Classics
for 1st-4th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$15.95
Burgess Animal Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$19.99
Burgess Animal Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$18.99
Burgess Bird Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Yesterday's Classics
for 1st-4th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$15.95
Burgess Bird Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
Color Edition from Living Book Press
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$19.99
Burgess Bird Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Living Book Press
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$18.99
Burgess Flower Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Living Book Press
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$19.99
Burgess Flower Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Living Book Press
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$18.99
Burgess Paperback Set
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Living Book Press
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$65.41
Burgess Seashore Book for Children
by Thornton W. Burgess
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$19.99
By Pond and River
Eyes and No Eyes #2
by Arabella B. Buckley
from Yesterday's Classics
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$13.95
By Pond and River
Eyes and No Eyes #2
by Arabella B. Buckley
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$7.99
Chemical History of a Candle
by Michael Faraday
from Living Book Press
for 8th-12th grade
in Chemistry (Location: SCI-CHEM)
$8.99
Child’s Book of Nature: Animals
by Worthington Hooker
2nd edition from Living Book Press
for 5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$9.99
Comstock's Handbook of Nature Study - Complete Set with Introductions Book
by Anna Botsford Comstock
from Living Book Press
for 6th-9th grade
$117.37
Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study – Birds
by Anna Botsford Comstock
from Living Book Press
for 6th-9th grade
$16.99
Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study – Earth and Sky
by Anna Botsford Comstock
from Living Book Press
for 6th-9th grade
$15.99
Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study – Fish, Reptiles, Amphibians, Invertebrates
by Anna Botsford Comstock
from Living Book Press
for 6th-9th grade
$16.99
Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study – Insects
by Anna Botsford Comstock
from Living Book Press
for 6th-9th grade
$18.99
Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study – Introduction
by Anna Botsford Comstock
from Living Book Press
for 6th-9th grade
$11.99
Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study – Mammals, Flowerless Plants
by Anna Botsford Comstock
from Living Book Press
for 6th-9th grade
$17.99
Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study – Trees, Garden Flowers
by Anna Botsford Comstock
from Living Book Press
for 6th-9th grade
$17.99
Comstock’s Handbook of Nature Study – Wildflowers, Weeds, Crops
by Anna Botsford Comstock
from Living Book Press
for 6th-9th grade
$17.99
Countryside Rambles
by W.S. Furneaux
from Yesterday's Classics
for 7th-12th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$14.95
Dooryard Stories
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Living Book Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$8.99
Field and Hedgerow
by Richard Jefferies
from Living Book Press
for 6th-Adult
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$11.99
First Book of Bees
by Albert B. Tibbets, illustrated by Helene Carter
from Living Book Press
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
First Book of Birds
by Margaret Williamson
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$10.99
First Book of Bugs
First Book Series
by Margaret Williamson
from Living Book Press
for Kindergarten-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
First Book of Stones
First Book series
by M. B. Cormack, illustrated by M. K. Scott
from Living Book Press
for 3rd-5th grade
in Geology (Rocks & Minerals) (Location: SCI-GEO)
$7.99
First Book of Water
by Jo and Ernest Norling
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$9.99
First Lessons in Nature Study
from Yesterday's Classics
for 3rd-6th grade
in Nature Study (Location: NAT-GEN)
$14.95
First Studies of Plant Life
by George F. Atkinson
from Yesterday's Classics
for 6th-9th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$14.95
From the Earth to the Moon
by Jules Verne, Translated by Louis Mercer & Eleanor King
Illustrated 1874 from SeaWolf Press
for 9th-Adult
in Seawolf Illustrated Classics (Location: FIC-SW)
$11.95
Great Astronomers
by Robert S. Ball
from Living Book Press
for 5th-8th grade
in Astronomy (Space) (Location: SCI-AST)
$12.99
Great Inventors and Their Inventions
by Frank P. Bachman
2019 Reprint from Living Book Press
for 5th-7th grade
in Inventions & Discoveries (Location: SCI-INV)
$9.99
Hexapod Stories
from Yesterday's Classics
for 2nd-4th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Insect Life
Eyes and No Eyes #6
by Arabella B. Buckley
from Yesterday's Classics
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$15.95
Insect Life
Eyes and No Eyes #6
by Arabella B. Buckley
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
Katya's Book of Mushrooms
from Living Book Press
for Preschool-3rd grade
in Botany & Mycology (Location: SCI-BOT)
$12.99
Lay of the Land
by Dallas Lore Sharp
from Living Book Press
for 6th-10th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$8.99
Life of the Fields
by Richard Jefferies
from Living Book Press
for 6th-Adult
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$9.99
Life of the Spider
by J. H. Fabre
from Echo Library
for 5th-8th grade
in Yesterday's Classics (Location: FIC-YC)
Little Brother to the Bear
by William J. Long
from Yesterday's Classics
for 4th-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$13.95
Little Brother to the Bear
by William J. Long
from Yesterday's Classics
for 4th-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
Madam How and Lady Why
by Charles Kingsley
from Yesterday's Classics
for 4th-8th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$14.95
Madam How and Lady Why
by Charles Kingsley
from Living Book Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$10.99
Matter and Energy: Principles of Matter and Thermodynamics
Paul Fleisher's Secrets of the Universe
by Paul Fleisher
from Living Book Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$11.99
Matter, Molecules, & Atoms
by Bertha Morris Parker
from Yesterday's Classics
for 3rd-8th grade
in Chemistry (Location: SCI-CHEM)
$15.95
Microbe Hunters
by Paul De Kruif
from Purple House Press
for 10th-Adult
in History of Science & Mathematics (Location: SCI-HIS)
$12.99
Nature Study Guide
by W.S. Furneaux
from Yesterday's Classics
for Adult
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$18.95
Objects in Motion: Principles of Classical Mechanics
Paul Fleisher's Secrets of the Universe
by Paul Fleisher
from Living Book Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$11.99
Parables from Nature
by Mrs. Alfred Gatty
from Yesterday's Classics
for 4th-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$17.95
Parables from Nature
by Mrs. Alfred Gatty
from Living Book Press
for 4th-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$11.99
Parables from Nature
by Mrs. Alfred Gatty
from Feather Trail Press
for 4th-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
Plant Life in Field and Garden
Eyes and No Eyes #3
by Arabella Buckley
from Yesterday's Classics
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$15.95
Plant Life in Field and Garden
Eyes and No Eyes #3
by Arabella Buckley
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$8.99
Relativity and Quantum Mechanics: Principles of Modern Physics
Paul Fleisher's Secrets of the Universe
by Paul Fleisher
from Living Book Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Physics (Location: SCI-PHY)
$11.99
Rocks, Rivers and the Changing Earth
by Herman and Nina Schneider, illustrated by Edwin Herron
from Hillside Education
for 2nd-4th grade
in Geology (Rocks & Minerals) (Location: SCI-GEO)
$10.00 (2 in stock)
School of the Woods
by William Long
from Yesterday's Classics
for 4th-8th grade
in Nature Study (Location: NAT-GEN)
$15.95
Secret of Everyday Things
by Jean Henri Fabre
from Yesterday's Classics
for 3rd-8th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$16.95
Secrets of the Woods
by William J. Long
from Yesterday's Classics
for 3rd-8th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$11.95
Secrets of the Woods
by William J. Long
from Living Book Press
for 3rd-8th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$7.99
Social Life in the Insect World
from Jefferson Publication
for 3rd-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
Story Book of Science
by Jean Henri Fabre
from Yesterday's Classics
for 4th-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$16.95
Story Book of Science
by Jean Henri Fabre
from Living Book Press
for 4th-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$12.99
Tales from a Poultry Farm
by Clara Dillingham Pierson
from Living Book Press
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$7.99
Tommy Smith's Animals
by Edmund Selous
from Yesterday's Classics
for 4th-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Trees and Shrubs
Eyes and No Eyes #5
by Arabella B. Buckley
from Yesterday's Classics
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$15.95
Trees and Shrubs
Eyes and No Eyes #5
by Arabella B. Buckley
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-5th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$8.99
Ways of Wood Folk
by William Joseph Long
from Living Book Press
for 2nd-6th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
Wild Animals at Home
by Earnest Thompson Seton
from Living Book Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$10.99
Wild Animals I Have Known
by Ernest Thompson Seton
from Yesterday's Classics
for 5th-8th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$13.95
Wild Animals I Have Known
by Ernest Thompson Seton
from Living Book Press
for 5th-8th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$10.99
Wild Life in Woods and Fields
Eyes and No Eyes #1
by Arabella B. Buckley
from Yesterday's Classics
for 1st-4th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
$13.95
Wild Life in Woods and Fields
Eyes and No Eyes #1
by Arabella B. Buckley
from Living Book Press
for 1st-4th grade
in Living Science (Location: SCI-CMLS)
Wonder Book of Chemistry
by Jean Henri Fabre
from Yesterday's Classics
for 3rd-8th grade
in Chemistry (Location: SCI-CHEM)
$16.95
Wonderland of Nature
by Nuri Mass
from Living Book Press
for 3rd-8th grade
in Nature Study (Location: NAT-GEN)
$24.99