Garbage

Overview

Teaching children that the battle against the world’s overwhelming waste problem begins with them, this plethora of projects investigates the science of “garbology.†The guide highlights the choices people make in creating garbage in the first place, suggesting ways kids can reduce, reuse, and recycle as well as rethink their actions for the future. Along the way, hands-on activities encourage children to make even more discoveries. Kitchen lovers can whip up a delicious edible landfill, brew natural dyes for a T-shirt, and grow a windowsill garden to make herbal shampoo. Learning the ins and outs of biodegradation, kids can snag air pollution in a can or even compare the effects of commercial and homemade cleaners. From reusing jeans and plastic milk jugs to making use of the odds and ends in the junk drawer, this challenging collection of activities ensures each kid can become a “rubbish warrior.â€

Reviews

"This high-powered tour of ecological principles is chocked full of information, activities, and science vocabulary. Science educators and parents will be thrilled with the amount of information the author has packed into Biomes."  —Greg DeFrancis, Director of Education, Montshire Museum on Amazing Biome Projects You Can Do Yourself

"The science of garbology is presented to young readers, inspiring them to be eco–explorers. . . . This book propels the young eco–explorers readers directly to hands–on, minds–on garbage projects. . . Ask yourself this question: Is it time for your students to go GAGA? That is, to become Garbage Aware and recognize that Garbage is Awesome? If so, this is the book for you!" —www.NSTA.org (December 2011)

"Title focuses on informing elementary students of the impact that garbage is making on our world with twenty-five short projects. An interesting layout with simple black and white illustrations boxed Trash Flashes, Words to Know, and Did You Know features to keep youngsters interested. Format is perfect for classrooms. Hands-on approach to a largely ignored subject is appealing, as well." —www.clcd.com (February 1, 2012)

Author Biography

Donna Latham is the author of Amazing Biome Projects You Can Build Yourself, Ellen Ochoa: Reach for the Stars!, Fire Dogs, Norah Jones, and Respiration and Photosynthesis. She is a recipient of the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award and a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Society of Midland Authors. She lives in Geneva, Illinois.