Science idea...need imput...

[RhondaM.]

Ok...I've decided that I'm NOT going to do structured science this year due to my illness.

However...I'm wondering if there are some really interesting science magazines for teens that he could read and learn from. I KNOW it isn't the same, but maybe he would at least develope an interest this year and I would not feel as if was a complete waste of time for him.

I've seen ChemMatters...the chemistry magazine...that looks interesting, though I don't know if he would have had to have already gone through biology to understand it. (Anyone know?)

Any other magazines I could get and just toss around the house...so that it did not look like school?

Or any other offbeat, interesting, fun, unschoolish science that is easy for me to pull together and does not require an expensive microscope?

I know you ladies have some ideas!

Thanks,

[RhondaM.]

Err...that is..I need INPUT!
Imput...sheesh..

[periwinkle]

Rhonda, how would he do with a computer curriculum? Cyber Ed is not tough for Earth/Space Science or Physical Science, and HSBC has them on sale through December 1.

https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_epp_offer&Itemid=323

As for magazines, I have always heard Popular Mechanics is good, although I haven't seen it personally. I'm sorry I don't have more help to offer. If you lived closer, I could tutor your ds. He actually sounds a good bit like my middle guy; sending prayers your way.

:grouphug:

[JennW in SoCal]

Popular Mechanics

Scientific america

Discover

Smithsonian

Can't think of the titles, but there are nice Astronomy magazines, and of course numerous computer magazines out there. Send him to Borders and have him pick out an armload to review!

This article was in the Los Angeles Times last week and might be of interest to you and your ds:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gamesschools20-2008oct20,0,2145543.story

NPR has a science program every Friday, (cleverly titled NPR Science Friday) which you can download as a free Podcast. Of course there is NOVA on PBS, and Mythbusters and all kinds of shows good and so-so shows on Discovery.

Your ds might enjoy reading Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything, which is a history of things science and a nice intro to many science topics, written by a very entertaining author.

These are the kinds of things my teen boys like, and they've picked up a decent amount of basic science from these kinds of sources.

[Nan in Mass]

There is one on backyard ballistics (potato cannons and such), and one that has a title something like What Einstein Told his Barber. My boys will read Popular Science and Discover for fun.

[RhondaM.]

Send him to Borders and have him pick out an armload to review!

This article was in the Los Angeles Times last week and might be of interest to you and your ds:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-gamesschools20-2008oct20,0,2145543.story

NPR has a science program every Friday, (cleverly titled NPR Science Friday) which you can download as a free Podcast. .

We will take him to Barnes and Noble for magazines and a Starbucks first chance we get. Much better idea than me picking out his magazines! Thanks for the article. I'll try to remember the podcast Friday.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[RhondaM.]

Rhonda, how would he do with a computer curriculum? Cyber Ed is not tough for Earth/Space Science or Physical Science, and HSBC has them on sale through December 1.

https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/index.php?option=com_epp_offer&Itemid=323

As for magazines, I have always heard Popular Mechanics is good, although I haven't seen it personally. I'm sorry I don't have more help to offer. If you lived closer, I could tutor your ds. He actually sounds a good bit like my middle guy; sending prayers your way.

:grouphug:

Thanks for the suggestion. It looks interesting. This may be something I could use another year. He would probably like any subject on a computer program. :) And thanks for the prayers.

Thanks,

[RhondaM.]

There is one on backyard ballistics (potato cannons and such), and one that has a title something like What Einstein Told his Barber. My boys will read Popular Science and Discover for fun.

Hey we've got that Backyard Ballistics book. My dh bought it for the boys awhile back. The stuff in there looks quite...err...dangerous, considering we live really close to other people. For MY kids it looks dangerous anyway. :tongue_smilie:

I ordered the Einstein book. The reviews said the math is way off in the book, but it looked like fun...and let's face it, my 15 year old isn't going to sit down and try to remember any math formula out of that book.

While at Amazon the Cartoon Guide to Chemistry caught my eye. Ever heard of The Cartoon Books? I wonder what level they are on. Something like that right about now might be ok.

Thanks,

[Lorna]

The Cartoon Guide books are excellent although with a quite grown-up sense of humour. My friend's sixteen year old home educated son loves all of them too and learned a great deal from them.
I love Scientific American, Astronomy and Smithsonian magazine. Odyssey (http://www.odysseymagazine.com/) is also a good lighter science read for high school students (suggested ages 10-16). Here is a great list with reviews of other popular science books (http://www.scifun.org/Readings/Readings.htm).

[Pamela H in Texas]

I was thinking the cartoon books too....

[Kareni]

While at Amazon the Cartoon Guide to Chemistry caught my eye. Ever heard of The Cartoon Books? I wonder what level they are on. Something like that right about now might be ok.


We too like the Cartoon guides (though we're more familiar with the history ones). I agree too with the recommendation for Bill Bryson's book A Short History of Nearly Everything (http://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Nearly-Everything/dp/0767908171). Also take a look at Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood by Oliver Sacks (http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Tungsten-Memories-Chemical-Boyhood/dp/0375704043/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225119631&sr=1-1) and Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam (http://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Boys-Coalwood-Homer-Hickam/dp/0385333218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1225119640&sr=1-1).

I'm so sorry to hear of your health issues and am sending good thoughts your way.

Regards,
Kareni

[KAR120C]

It's actually aimed at adults (popular press - not specialists)... not too technical, not too schooly, and very current.