Chemistry and Physics Resources?

[Mizelenius]

My daughter is 9 and interested in chemistry and physics.  I have no idea how to support her in either area beyond just books from the library.  She doesn't read the books in any order, but she is the type to go back to books and re-read, so I want to know which books I should invest it, and what other materials I can provide.

To give you an idea, she got interested in this when she was 6 thanks to this book:

Physics

and today brought home this book from the library: Absolutely Small  (no math in this one-- I like that because the math would be over her head).

She loves books about the periodic table.  This one she has memorized: The Elements, and has used the knowledge from there to apply to books like this: The Disappearing Spoon  (she has not read all of this one).

Frankly, these topics make me yawn . . .I am trying to learn, be involved, get some basic knowledge but I just don't get how reading a textbook about boron is fun bedtime reading like she does.

Any websites, particular book titles, movie recommendations, etc. would be great.

[tankgirl73]

NOEO science is a curriculum that might interest her; basically the curriculum is just a schedule of readings in various science books (some story-books, some encyclopedias), some experiments, and expressing summaries of what she's learned however works best for her (ie, drawing or writing a paragraph).

If you're not at all interested in doing it in a scheduled way, you can just look at the books they use and read them on your own.

Some folks also like Real Science 4 Kids, and R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey -- both have some similarities and differences to NOEO and to each other.

She might REALLY enjoy Ellen J McHenry's "The Elements" though... it is a 'curriculum' too but it's so much fun.  

[Mizelenius]

Thank you, tankgirl!  Those are really helpful.  I esp. liked "The Elements" and the series that followed it.  Does not look too scary for me to use.  Or better yet, I'll let DH do it with her!

[Cassidy68]

The Usborne books are great-- What's Chemistry All About? and What's Physics All About?

DK has some fabulous books packed with experiments and information.

Thames and Knossos makes a physics kit that is fun, and also a good chemistry set. We also like the cheaper Science Wiz kits- Chemistry Plus, Motion, Energy etc.

My son got a kick out of the songs and music videos from They Might Be Giants "Here Comes Science." They're all on You Tube. If your daughter hasn't already seen them, start with "Meet the Elements".

There's a video I've been meaning to look for called (I think) Chemistry: A Volatile History (BBC)- haven't seen it yet but it sounds great. Also Khan Academy has lots of info.

Have fun. I know what you mean about the bedtime reading.... but my son has got me turned on to all this stuff so you never know. Enthusiasm is contagious :)

[gracefulheart]

My eight-year-old has taken classes here- http://landryacademy.com/classes.html

They offer physics, chemistry, biology and anatomy. I highly recommend the anatomy class.