Book Description

Experiment is widely regarded as the most distinctive feature of natural science and essential to the way scientists find out about the world. Yet there has been little study of the way scientists actually make and use experiments. The Uses of Experiment fills this gap in our knowledge about how science is practised. Presenting 14 original case studies of important and often famous experiments, the book asks the questions: What tools do experimenters use? How do scientists argue from experiments? What happens when an experiment is challenged? How do scientists check that their experiments are working? Are there differences between experiments in the physical sciences and technology? Leading scholars in the fields of history, sociology and philosophy of science consider topics such as the interaction of experiment; instruments and theory; accuracy and reliability as hallmarks of experiment in science and technology; realising new phenomena; the believability of experiments and the sort of knowledge they produce; and the wider contexts on which experimentalists draw to develop and win support for their work. Drawing on examples as diverse as Galilean mechanics, Victorian experiments on electricity, experiments on cloud formation, and testing of nuclear missiles, a new view of experiment emerges. This view emphasises that experiments always involve choice, tactics and strategy in persuading audiences that Nature resembles the picture experimenters create. ... Read more

Book Description

More mad-lab fun!

Here's an all-new book of wacky experiments and off-the-wall tricks kids can perform with things from around the house, from the original "Mad Scientist," Joey Green.

Readers will learn how to create their own:

€ Anti-Gravity Bucket
€ Disappearing Peanuts
€ Ice Cream Machine
€ Potato Radio
€ Instant Silver
€ Exploding Flowers
€ and much, much more!

Loaded with easy-to-understand step-by-step instructions and helpful pictures, this is definitely one book that no Mad Scientist should be without. ... Read more

Book Description

As John Waller shows in Einstein's Luck, many of our greatest scientists were less than honest about their experimental data. Some were not above using friends in high places to help get their ideas accepted. And some owe their immortality not to any unique discovery but to a combination of astonishing effrontery and their skills as self-promoters. Here is a catalog of myths debunked and icons shattered. We discover that Louis Pasteur was not above suppressing ""awkward"" data when it didn't support the case he was making. Joseph Lister, hailed as the father of modern surgery because he advocated sanitary conditions, was just one of many physicians who advocated cleaner hospitals--and in fact, Lister's operating room and hospital was far more unsanitary than most. We also learn that Arthur Eddington's famous experiment that ""proved"" Einstein's theory of relativity was fudged (Eddington threw out two-thirds of his data, 16 photographic plates that seemed to support Newton over Einstein). And while it is true that Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin by lucky accident, he played almost no role in the years of effort to convert penicillin into a usable drug. But once the miracle drug was finally available, the press hailed him as the genius behind the drug, in part because his story made good copy and in part because war-torn Britain needed a hero (and the other researchers were not British).Einstein's Luck restores to science its complex personalities, bitter rivalries, and intense human dramas which until recently have been hidden behind myths and misconceptions. This richly entertaining book will transform the way we think about science and scientists. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Interesting and mostly good
This book is a refreshing egalitarian change from the kind of history that implies that a handful of geniuses are responsible for most scientific progress. It shows that many famous people were less innovative than is commonly thought, and that science is more incremental than revolutionary (but in spite of the title, it says little about Einstein).
But I can't help wondering whether the book exaggerates to make the misleading histories sound more scandalous than they really were. However, I only see one sentence that seems to justify this suspicion. On page 94 (regarding the effects of the great depression on the Hawthorne studies) he says "the desperation in these words seems to leap from the page". I don't see any clear signs of desperation in those words he quotes. It wouldn't surprise me if the workers were desperate, but the book fails to convince me about this.

Critical academic analysis of science history
This book contains surprising research that is very interesting to read. From the authors massive vocabulary, I was able to surmise that the author was well educated and also very critical of historical scientists.

For example, when discussing the history of Frederick Taylor's Scientific Management, the author points out the factual information that Frederick Taylor's work was not a rigerous scientifically proven work. I agreed with the author and enjoyed reading about the differences between legend and true history. However, the author interjects opinion with fact to state the value of Taylor's work is of little value because Taylor's studies do not stand up to scientific scrutiny.

This book is a good academic piece if you enjoy breaking down the work of great thinkers. It focuses on the negative aspects of these great thinkers and not on the positive influence of their "unscientific" work.

I would like to warn non-academic readers that this book is written at a higher academic level that I am used to. I have two college degrees, but I found myself looking up words frequently to follow the author. I felt like the author's choice of vocabulary was more appropriate to flaunt his educational background than to target a casual scientific history reader. This book was a great way for me to improve my vocabulary after I looked up many of the words that challenged me.

This book is for some, but I'm afraid it was not for me. I quit reading the book at page 110 (halfway through).

My discovery
What I like about this book, is that not only is it engaging and a good read, but it actually makes me feel clever!
With interesting stories written in highly accessible language, the author doesn't condescend to his reader nor talk over his head. A true teacher, he reveals, explains and encourages, enticing you to read on first, and then continue to make more discoveries of your own by thinking about the implications of what he says.
Wish we had more authors and teachers out there like this!

illuminating historical insights
If this is science history, it's a pity so few professors can write it. This thought-provoking and enjoyable book reads like a series of detective stories while challenging any simplistic assumptions of the past. We learn that some accepted "proofs" proved nothing at all and that we mistakenly label as revolutionaries men who were truly typical of their time.
Dr. Joseph Lister, for examples, whose name is eponymous with antiseptic, managed to exceed the death toll of his colleagues because of his own lack of sanitary standards. Gregor Mendel made important contributions to knowledge but by his own beliefs and theories he was no Mendelian. Charles Darwin followed the tradition of his age in believing in the inheritability of acquired characteristics. And we have pioneers like Robert Millikan and Arthur Eddington who made data fit a chosen theory, rather than the other way around.
Yet, far from belittling such men, this book shows them in a new and more human light that transforms our understanding of scientific discovery. John Waller's book is an entertaining read for the layman and an essential read for the scientist or historian.

Fascinating, entertaining and provocative
Einstein's Luck (or 'Fabulous Science' in the UK) is a fascinating and provocative book that will have you re-examining your ideas of the 'scientific greats', and introduce a healthy skepticism into your opinion of science research generally.

Remember learning in school how Eddington proved Einstein's theory of relatively by comparing the position of stars during and after an eclipse? Actually his images were so poor they proved precisely nothing except that Eddington was a dab hand at faking results.

Remember how Millikan demonstrated that an electron had a discrete charge? Well, look at his notebook and you'll see how he threw away all of his results which proved exactly the opposite!

The book catalogues a series of famous scientists whose passion and belief in a theory blinded them to contrary evidence. In fascinating detail the book describes the circumstances surrounding the experiments both in the laboratory and in the wider social context.

What links these scientists is that, as it turns out, the theories they were expounding happened to be right - just not for the reasons they gave.

This compelling book should be compulsory reading for all students of science and is delightful food for thought for anyone interested in science. ... Read more

Book Description

Vivid, readable, and accurate, these tales of landmark scientific inquiries include Aristotle's work on the embryology of the chick, Galileo's discovery of the law of descent, Newton's experiment on the nature of colors, William Beaumont's work on the process of digestion, J. J. Thompson's discovery of the electron, and 15 others. Each experiment is appraised and analyzed in the light of subsequent events; a brief biography of the scientist and a portrait are also featured, along with illustrations of the experimental method and apparatus.
... Read more

Reviews (3)

From a student of science
This book is an overview of "Great Scientific Experiments" that changed the course of science. It is a good book, which outlines the purpose of each experiment (giving 2 experiments for each purpose). It is a book for those who want to pursue scholarly investigations on the science of experimenting. For the students, it will be a motivating experience, although they might not be able to understand the details of each experiment. As a teacher I'll recommend that this book be included as an optional reading book in upper high school/college, grade XI, XII, and onward.

not very good
badly written, not very informative. Little to no explanation of the figures. Quoting of papers out of context makes for a confusing read.

Experiments whose results changed worldviews
Great Scientific Experiments showcases twenty scientific experiments whose results changed worldviews provide an excellent survey of scientific progress. From Aristotle's work on the embroyology of the chick to Beaumont's discoveries about digestion, each experiment's results are analyzed with an eye to how it changed future experimental courses and influenced other discoveries. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a lab manual intended for use in undergraduate courses and some graduate courses. It contains open-ended experiments to teach applied bacteriology approaches and techniques. Included are the fundamental principles of bacteriology, microbial ecology, bacterial physiology, basic fermentation, and biocontrol.
There is no other lab manual of this kind in the market. It breaks new ground in hands-on bacteriology, emphasizing the role of bacteria in both microbiological and macrobiological disciplines. This is also one of the few lab books stressing the use of invertebrate animals as bacteriological material.

Key Features:
* Open-ended experimental design
* Experiments are multi-disciplinary, featuring applied bacteriology procedures
* Applicable to bacteriology and macrobiology courses
* Experiments can be used singly or in multiple array
* For individual or class
* Offers alternate or parallel experiments
* Laboratory lore integrating experiment background with insightful explanations
* Stresses use of insects, mollusks, and other invertebrates as lab animals vis-…-vis bacteriological materials
* Extensive sources, resources, and references given of material as well as the livestock used in the experiments ... Read more

Book Description

Scientists are in the business of trying to understand the world.Exploring commonplace phenomena, they have uncovered some of Nature's deepest laws.We can in turn apply these laws to our own lives, to better grasp and enhance our performance in daily activities as varied as cooking, home improvement sports-even dunking a doughnut!This book makes the science of the familiar a key to opening the door for those who want to know what scientists do, why they do it, and how they go about it.Following the routine of a normal day, from coffee and breakfast to shopping, household chores, sports, a drink, supper, and a bath, we see how the seemingly mundane can provide insight into the most profound scientific questions.Some of the topics included are the art and science of dunking, how to boil an egg, how to tally a supermarket bill, the science behind hand tools, catching a ball, or throwing a boomerang, the secrets of haute cuisine, bath (or beer) foam, and the physics of sex. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Pepper and Handsprings
As a non-science oriented person, I found myself skipping around in this book, skimming parts about claw hammers and boomerangs, but reading the entire chapter on supermarket bills. Frankly, that doughnut on the cover got my attention, and the fact that I had just heard about the Ignobel Prize on the radio, which the author of this book has won.

I enjoyed the chapter on The Physics of Sex, but had to read the notes to find out why a woman taking the antidepressant clomipramine supplemented her dosage with pepper. (You'll have to read it yourself, I don't want Amazon removing my review!)

In addition to making science more accessible, Fisher makes scientists seem more human. He describes colleagues of his reacting to successes by singing, shouting, and one who removed all his clothes and did a series of handsprings. Now that is a happy scientist.

The scientific mind at work .... and loving it
With an enthusiasm that is clearly contagious, the author applies scientific reasoning and methodology to better understand certain things in everyday life that we may take for granted. Topics that are examined under the microscope of the author's sharp and witty mind include: the science of cooking, the scientific principles behind tool usage, boomerang design and throwing, quick determination the cheapest supermarket, the physics of sex, and more. The author's excitement in describing his scientific approach to these matters stands out - much as an excited child describing the joys of discovering something new and wonderful, but in a clear, lucid, even funny, way. Complete with lots of diagrams and charts, this book is pleasure to read. The author has definitely succeeded in clearly illustrating how the scientific method and the scientific mind work, and all this in a most enjoyable way. ... Read more

Book Description

Discover the Secrets of Science Fair Success with This Essential Guide . . .

Written by a science fair judge and an international science fair winner, this must-have resource is packed with strategies and pointers for putting together a winning science fair project. Here you’ll get the nitty-gritty on a wide variety of topics, from the fundamentals of the science fair process to the last-minute details of polishing your presentation, including:

• Choosing the right project for you
• Doing research and taking notes
• Using the scientific method
• Writing up procedures, data, and conclusions
• Creating eye-catching backboards
• Handling pre-contest jitters
• Dealing with difficult judges
• and much more

With insider tips, checklists, and solid advice from people who’ve been there, Strategies for Winning Science Fair Projects is the one guide you’ll need for science fair season and beyond. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent Guide for Students Grades 6-12
This book takes students through the process of performing a science experiment from start to finish. It contains insider's tips from an international fair winner and a science fair judge and covers information I couldn't anywhere else -- like how to build a backboard or make graphs from data. It is also very read-able, not dry or boring like a textbook. I recommend it for students and parents of students who want to do well at the fair! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Grade school mental workout!!!
This book is the best of its kind--nothing comes close to the number and variety of mental puzzles of various levels of difficulty...word games, optical tricks, math puzzles, et cetera. This book is amazing. I've given several to teachers. Excellent for third grade up to high school. The only thing I'd change about the book is the color: the book only has black, white, gray and blue.

Now I want to visit the Exploratorium!
This book is so much fun! It's the best collection of brain teazers and puzzles and games that I've seen. Reading the book made me want to visit the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco. ... Read more

Book Description

Making science more accessible than ever before!

The Essential Science series makes the difficult and fascinating world of cutting-edge science accessible to everyone with a stimulating mix of lively illustrations and jargon-free text. Important scientific theories are explained clearly in these authoritative guides that feature cross-references, glossaries, and thorough indexes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Laboratory DNA Science : An Introduction to Recombinant DNA
Excellent introductory book for people who are interested in molecular biology. It is loaded with very detailed and easy to follow description of current molecular technicques. The book also contains a great deal of information on current theories in molecular biology, which are written even for the layman. I would also recommend this book for high school students who are interested in this field. ... Read more

Book Description

Are spiders insects?

• Why do crickets chirp?
• How do caterpillars become butterflies?

Janice VanCleave's Insects and Spiders includes 20 fun and simple experiments that help you discover the answers to these and other fascinating questions that may be "bugging" you about critters that crawl, burrow, or fly. You'll also find dozens of suggestions for developing your own science fair projects.

Make an insect model out of clay, paper, and toothpicks. Discover what straws can tell you about a grasshopper's eyes. Use a jar of baby food to learn how flies eat. All these experiments use inexpensive household materials and involve a minimum of preparation and cleanup. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent for science projects!
I just had a science project to do, so I liked insects, then I looked at this book, and it told many projects I could do with insects! The teacher was very impressed that I did three projects for the science fair. Everyone liked my project, except for Emily, who is scared of insects all the time! This is an excellent book for projects (and extra credit)! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great teaching aid for the future scientists!
This is a well illustrated book that can be used for creating classroom handouts. Written for teachers, but aimed at elementary students, it explains the steps taken to create a science fair project, from the planning stages, through research and doing the experiment, to logging the observations. Older students can get valuable information from this book as well, if they aren't put off by it's definite grade school format. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

good, but...
hey everyone! maximus here, and i just wanted to say that this book is superb. althought a little hard to read because of typos, it is still excellent!

Wonderful resource, easy to read, useful forms. A must have
This handbook is just what I was looking for to conduct a science fair. It's easy to read and presents all the needed information and resources to conduct a successful fair. The forms provided are useful and can be used directly out of the book. A must have for anyone putting on a science fair! ... Read more

Book Description