Insectigations

January 1, 2006
Gr 3-6 -Raising mealworms, testing the visual acuity of bees, setting up a watering hole for butterflies -these are just a few of the 40 activities included in this earnest introduction to entomology. Each of eight chapters focuses on a different topic, such as physical and behavioral characteristics; metamorphosis; communication; methods to attract, collect and keep insects, etc. The dense main text covers the basic facts on each topic, while directions for the activities are interspersed among its pages -from three to nine per chapter. They include science experiments; art projects; the crafting of homemade traps, nets, and temporary cages (safety warnings are included); keeping a scientific journal; and creating a board game. Most are fairly simple and employ inexpensive materials. Sidebars appear throughout with bits of information on the ways insects are used in medicine, business, and science; accounts of entomologists' research; miscellaneous facts; and addresses of related Web sites. Clear line drawings, diagrams of body parts and project materials, plus the occasional black-and-white photograph are found on almost every page. Although the format is a bit unwieldy, the text is clearly written and well organized. Some of the same activities can be found in "Janice VanCleave's Insects and Spiders: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects" (Wiley, 1998), but many are unique and inventive. This title will appeal both to budding young scientists and teachers hunting for imaginative lesson-plan ideas." -Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library"

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