Teach science that your students really care about! [why underarms, feet, and breath sometimes stink [how to decide which personal hygiene products to use [how a machine measures bad breath [how fragrances cover up odors [whether odor-control shoe inserts really work [how search and rescue dogs track odors [why NASA uses certified "smellers" [and much more! Features of What's That Smell?: [resource for teachers of grades 7-12 [for use in general science, chemistry, biology, health, and physiology classes [teacher background and instructor notes [student background readings and informative articles [hands-on investigations [connections to National Science Education Standards for each experiment

Innovative investigations like these will empower middle and high school students to explore the states of matter and changes of state-using inexpensive toys and common household items like balloons, paper bags, Silly Putty, facial tissues, and plastic Easter eggs. Classroom-tested and proven effective, these activities draw students in with toys, gadgetry, fun-to-do experiments, and observations of scientific phenomena in everyday events. Students will see solid rock candy form as a sugar solution evaporates; inflate a balloon using dry ice; and use the BedBugs game to learn about the behavior of solids, liquids, and gases. You'll find 24 motivating, reproducible projects in all-ready to use and clearly referenced to the National Science Education Standards, with comprehensive materials lists, procedures, content review, and extension activities included. Teaching Science with TOYS is an activity-based, discovery-oriented approach developed by National Science Foundation-funded teacher training programs at Miami University of Ohio. The programs promote toys and household items as ideal science materials because they're already a user-friendly, everyday part of a young person's world.

As a child or as an adult, most of us find it difficult to walk past a colorful display of toys without pausing, smiling, and taking a closer look. The urge to roll the truck down the hill, bounce the Silly Putty[, or wind up the walking dinosaur is nearly irresistible. We typically associate toys with fun, discovery, and creativity. In contrast, if presented with a display of chemistry and physics experiments, "fun, discovery, and creativity" unfortunately would not be the words that come to most peoples' minds. Our idea was to teach basic chemistry and physics principles using toys, thus capitalizing on the natural attractiveness of toys and also showing that physical science is an integral part of our everyday experiences. Exciting projects use ordinary toys and play materials to demonstrate chemistry principles. [ 42 activities grouped separately for grades K-3, 4-6, and 7-9 [ 296 pages [ Grades K-9