Children's Science Book Database

The Book of Totally Irresponsible Science

This book fosters development of many scientific processes. Relationships and observation will be two of the most common in this book. All of these experiments create something interesting for students to observe and try to understand. Since none of the experiments give the scientific explanation until the very end, the student also gets to construct their own knowledge first regarding the relationship between the different variables in their experiment and why they cause the observed effect. In addition, many of these experiments require students to measure out something to be used, so that the measurement process is fostered as well.
  • Author: Sean Connolly
  • Illustrator: Lou Brooks
  • Year Published: 2008
  • ISBN: 978-0-7611-5020-6

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

Summary

This book provides 64 fun, interesting experiments that are kid-friendly (with adult supervision). These experiments explore different scientific concepts such as motion, the earth's core, air molecules, the elements, food, and chemical reactions.

Evaluation

  • Appropriateness: High
  • Authority: Medium
  • Accuracy: Medium
  • Liteary Artistry: High
  • Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

This book fosters development of many scientific processes. Relationships and observation will be two of the most common in this book. All of these experiments create something interesting for students to observe and try to understand. Since none of the experiments give the scientific explanation until the very end, the student also gets to construct their own knowledge first regarding the relationship between the different variables in their experiment and why they cause the observed effect. In addition, many of these experiments require students to measure out something to be used, so that the measurement process is fostered as well.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

All of the experiments are set up similarly to an inquiry. This mean the kids are just given the instructions but no science terms or explanations (until the very end). If they don't look at the end section for a bit, then they have time to observe their experiment and ask questions about why it worked or how it happened that way.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

This book isn't as minds-on as it could be. However, similarly to the previous question, it allows them to construct their own knowledge about the logic behind the experiments. This is only possible if they put off reading the end explanation, though.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

The science topics are addressed appropriately. All the experiments are things kids are capable of doing with minimal adult supervision. The concepts are also things that teachers would be doing lessons about in a grade-level classroom.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

This book is based on sound scientific principles. It clearly and accurately talks about molecules, popular laws such as Newton's and Boyle's, and pressure. It also kindly presents these principles in way that is understandable but still accurate to students and not just adults.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

The book doesn't distinguish between fact and fiction. This is because most of what it talks about is factual. The only 'fictional' part are the frequent jokes. However, none of the jokes are related to scientific principles, so they don't necessarily need to be distinguished.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

The illustrations are very clear when referring to the experiments. They are in simple black and white outline, and clearly show how to implement the experiments. However, there are a  lot of retro, cartoony graphics used that might be confusing to a reader, since they wouldn't know how they relate to the experiments.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

This book is a little heavy in the wording, using advanced vocabulary and tightly spaced font. It also uses a lot of graphics and text boxes that could be confusing to a reader who hadn't been taught about how to interpret these. I would say it is appropriate for students who are reading at or above grade level in 5th grade, and would still be appropriate and not too easy or simplistic for middle-schoolers.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

This book is not very multicultural. It contains strictly stereotypical images of retro, 50's Americana. All the people pictured are very white.

Is the book free from gender bias?

This book is not free from gender bias. It seems very biased toward science being a male-dominated area. Nearly all of the images are of men and boys, and the 'scientist-author' who appears on every page is pictured as a man as well. The only women pictured are two pictures of women shrieking, in theory at the 'craziness' of the experiments. This book also refers to scientists with male pronouns.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

This book does not show a close association between science an other disciplines. It very narrowly defines and presents itself as a 'science' book. It does not contain anything other than experiments, and only shows the experiments as something interesting to do, without asking students to record anything or think about them related to history or math.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

The book creates a positive attitude through exciting and funny descriptions throughout the book. It makes science seem like something crazy ad exciting, rather than dry or boring. There is not a lot of technology mentioned it.