Planet Earth : finding balance on the Blue Marble : with environmental science activities for kids
(Book)

Includes bibliographical references (pages 116-117) and index.

Planet Earth: Finding Balance on the Blue Marble with Environmental Science Activities for Kids introduces middle grade readers to all the parts of the natural world, including the oceans, the atmosphere, the earth, and everything in between. In this book, kids master ecology basics, such as the food web and animal habitats, while also learning about environmental issues such as wind and solar power, endangered species, climate change, and more. Stories about new innovations in fields such as recycling, agriculture, and energy production galvanize readers to turn their creative thinking skills to their own inventions. Planet Earth includes hands-on STEM activities and critical thinking exercises to encourage readers to discover connections among their observations of their immediate environment and the larger world around them. Activities include: vermicomposting, testing the effects of acid rain, and conducting experiments on ozone depletion and heat transfer. Among projects to make are a hydroponic planter, a Tullgren funnel, a biodiversity journal, and a pond exploration kit. Fun facts, links to online primary sources and other supplemental material, and essential questions encourage readers to ask themselves what they could do differently to make the world a healthier place.

Ages 9-12.

Guided reading level: W.