From artifi cial limbs to automobiles, we live in the age of polymers. Few, if any, products of technology have aff ected our lives more than these. Use this expanded second edition of Polymers All Around You! to introduce elementary, middle, and high school students to polymers with exciting, hands-on activities: [ dissolve plastic in water [ make gooey gluep and slime [ create a cellophane tape kaleidoscope [ skewer a balloon (without popping it!) [ soak up water with a polymer powder [ investigate mysterious invisible crystals [ test a grocery bag's stretch [ shrink plastic into fun shapes [ and more! By bringing polymer activities into your classroom, you will help your students develop an appreciation for the products of technology that they use every day and give them a solid foundation on which to base the decisions they will make as voters and consumers.

Holidays and special events are times of excitement and energy. Children are quick to pick up on this excitement. One of our teachers has dubbed it the "holiday crazies." If the "crazies" are viewed to be an obstacle, productive learning can be difficult, but if dealt with as a positive thing, this youthful enthusiasm can provide the motivation for otherwise untapped learning opportunities. Science Projects for Holidays throughout the Year was developed to help teachers turn the "holiday crazies" into a fun and exciting time to learn about science. Holiday celebrations and science make a great team-because the crafts often associated with holidays are typically rooted in science, tying them to productive hands-on science lessons makes for good learning experiences. Use holidays and other special days to engage students in fun hands-on science. * 23 complete lessons * Includes historical and cultural background information * Cross-curricular integration * National Science Education Standards * 374 pages * Grades K-5