Chemistry for Kids: Science Experiments and Activities Inspired by Awesome Chemists, Past and Present (The Kitchen Pantry Scientist #1)

by Liz Lee Heinecke (Author) Kelly Anne Dalton (Illustrator)

* 2021 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books in Middle Grade Longlist
* 2021 NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book 
* 2021 EUREKA! Nonfiction Children’s Honor Book


Aspiring young chemists will discover an amazing group of role models and memorable experiments in Chemistry for Kids, the debut book of The Kitchen Pantry Scientist series.


Replicate a chemical reaction similar to one Marie Curie used to purify radioactive elements. Distill perfume using a method created in ancient Mesopotamia by a woman named Tapputi.

This engaging guide offers a series of snapshots of 25 scientists famous for their work with chemistry, from ancient history through today. Each lab tells the story of a scientist along with some background about the importance of their work, and a description of where it is still being used or reflected in today’s world.

step-by-step illustrated experiment paired with each story offers kids a hands-on opportunity for exploring concepts the scientists pursued, or are working on today. Experiments range from very simple projects using materials you probably already have on hand, to more complicated ones that may require a few inexpensive items you can purchase online. Just a few of the incredible people and scientific concepts you’ll explore:

Galen (b. 129 AD)
Make soap from soap base, oil, and citrus peels.
Modern application: medical disinfectants

Joseph Priestly (b. 1733)
Carbonate a beverage using CO2 from yeast or baking soda and vinegar mixture.
Modern application: soda fountains

Alessandra Volta (b. 1745)
Make a battery using a series of lemons and use it to light an LED.
Modern application: car battery

Tu Youyou (b. 1930)
Extract compounds from plants.
Modern application: pharmaceuticals and cosmetics

People have been tinkering with chemistry for thousands of years. Whether out of curiosity or by necessity, Homo sapiens have long loved to play with fire: mixing and boiling concoctions to see what interesting, beautiful, and useful amalgamations they could create. Early humans ground pigments to create durable paint for cave walls, and over the next 70 thousand years or so as civilizations took hold around the globe, people learned to make better medicines and discovered how to extract, mix, and smelt metals for cooking vessels, weapons, and jewelry. Early chemists distilled perfume, made soap, and perfected natural inks and dyes.

Modern chemistry was born around 250 years ago, when measurement, mathematics, and the scientific method were officially applied to experimentation. In 1896, after the first draft of the periodic table was published, scientists rushed to fill in the blanks. The elemental discoveries that followed gave scientists the tools to visualize the building blocks of matter for the first time in history, and they proceeded to deconstruct the atom. Since then, discovery has accelerated at an unprecedented rate. At times, modern chemistry and its creations have caused heartbreaking, unthinkable harm, but more often than not, it makes our lives better.

With this fascinating, hands-on exploration of the history of chemistry, inspire the next generation of great scientists.


Dig into even more incredible science history from The Kitchen Pantry Scientist series with: Biology for KidsPhysics for KidsMath for Kidsand Ecology for Kids.

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Paperback
$19.99

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ALA/Booklist

Kids will have a great time exploring the chemistry activities found in this book.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 3-8--Heinecke offers a hybrid nonfiction text for middle grade readers as well as extensive parental support for dynamic at-home experiments. The biographies of 25 role models of the chemistry community, past and present, are organized in chronological order of the chemists' birth year, showing a progression of key scientific discoveries and changes. Heinecke effectively outlines the cultural effects of these chemistry concepts. Each chemist's life story is constructed through a factual presentation of personal events and an explanation of the inspiration behind their pursuit or discovery. The text takes care to detail the relevant historical and cultural context. Pastel-colored portraits spotlight the chemists, and photographs complement the biographical content. Features such as "The Story Behind the Chemistry" supplement each experiment. A glossary, an index, and a materials resource page support readers' understanding of the scientific concepts and terminology presented throughout the text. The multistep lab instructions are aided by photographed figures showing the steps in action, but adult supervision and assistance are required. VERDICT This bright, engaging text provides young middle school readers with the inspiration and means to conduct enlightening at-home experiments. Detailed biographies of notable chemists, simple yet purposeful explanations, and visual aids enhance this well-rounded guide that demonstrates important chemistry concepts. Readers are sure to experience wondrous results in their own kitchens.--Rachel Mulligan, Pennsylvania State Univ.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Fascinating, entertaining, informative."Midwest Book Review
Liz Lee Heinecke
Liz Heinecke has made it her mission to show the world that anyone can be a scientist and that kids from three to
ninety-three can have fun playing with science at home. After working in academic molecular biology research labs
for 10 years and getting a master's degree in bacteriology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Liz started doing science with her three kids, journaling their experiments and adventures on KitchenPantryScientist.com.

Cole Horton is an author, historian, and games industry professional. He is the author of multiple Star Wars books,
including Star Wars Absolutely Everything You Need to Know and Star Wars The Visual Encyclopedia. Cole graduated with a degree in history from Indiana University and has contributed as a historian to StarWars.com, Marvel AR, and
Marvel.com. By day, he works on Star Wars games at EA and lives in San Francisco with his wife.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781631598302
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Quarry Books
Publication date
May 05, 2020
Series
The Kitchen Pantry Scientist
BISAC categories
JNF007090 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Science & Technology
JNF051110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Experiments & Projects
JNF051070 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Chemistry
Library of Congress categories
History
Experiments
Chemists
Chemistry

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