Synopses & Reviews
Because time is such an important part of our lives, we hardly ever take a minute to think about it. Now kids can investigate all the wonders of time with dozens of experiments--all of which use easy-to-find supplies and materials. They'll learn how to tell time using the sun, moon, and stars. They'll make and use their own hourglass, candle timekeeper, and water clock, and they'll discover how clocks and watches work. Fun-filled explorations help explain the principles behind the pendulums in grandfather clocks, the gears that turn a clock's hands, and the motors that run electric clocks. Other investigations include making a model of the International Date Line, drawing a star map, making a cereal box planetarium, and more. Fascinating facts are included to answer such questions as why clocks count to twelve, where the word "watch" comes from, why daylight savings time is observed, how scientists can date fossils, and whether or not time travel might be possible. One look at the dozens of creative experiments contained here, and kids won't want to wait to start exploring the secrets of time. Sterling 96 pages, 95 b/w illus., 5 3/8 x 8 1/4.
Synopsis
Telling time, marking time, passing time, wasting time, having the time of your life -- it's so much a part of life we hardly take the time to notice. Close to 40 simple experiments and games let kids find out just how fascinating our adventures with time can be. Start them off by drawing their own personal time line of important events in their life. Then try to guess how long a minute lasts. Show them how to tell time by the moon, sun, and stars by making a lunar calendar, sun dial, and cereal box planetarium. They'll see how to use the sky as a compass if they ever get lost in a forest at night. And they'll make a simple mechanical clock that really works. Then they'll find ont the inner workings of clocks and watches available today, including coin battery watches, quartz crystals, and digitals, as well as atomic and radioactive clocks that measure time in millionths of a second and near-perfect accuracy.
Synopsis
"How we measure time--both when and how long--is the subject of this small, lively, information-packed volume....For each experiment, there is a brief statement of principle, then: what you need, what to do, what happens, and why....The focus is on basic discoveries and applied science, from constructing a perpetual calendar or an hourglass to telling time by the stars....Fascinating facts make you think about what you take for granted (Why do clocks count to 12 and not 24?)...style is clear and informal, with a full glossary."--
Booklist.