I recently received an email from Laura Stevens over at The Rosen Group asking me to review a new text available for homeschool families called the Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments.  Unfortunately this book is well above my kids' schooling level, but I wanted to pass along the info for those of you who may have high school or middle-school aged students who could use a leg up on chemistry labs.  I know when I was in high school something like this would have been a real help to me! 

Read on for the press release about this interesting-sounding new book; be sure to let me know if you and your teen(s) give it a shot.  I'd love to know what you think of it!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:                                                                                              

Laura Stevens                                                                                                                                                                         ISBN: 0-596-5149-21

lauras@rosengrouppr.com                                                                                                                                                    Pages 415: softcover 202.862.4372                                                                                                                                                                     $29.99

Home Chemistry Handbook: All Lab. No Lecture.
 —New Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments Ideal Guide for DIY Science Enthusiasts—

Sebastopol, CA (May 14, 2008)—The appeal of do-it-yourself chemistry has always been one of the most potent recruiting tools science has to offer.  From the 1930s through the 1960s, chemistry sets were among the most popular Christmas gifts, selling in the millions.  But in 2008, they are a dying breed. DIY hobbyists, students, and science buffs can now turn to Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture for hands-on instruction to build their own chemistry sets at home—safely and responsibly.

“The decline of chemistry sets has had nothing to do with lack of interest,” explains author Robert Bruce Thompson. “Kids are as enthusiastic as ever, but manufacturers and retailers have become more concerned about liability and lawsuits—and schools are now devoting little time and few resources to science. This guide is meant to celebrate the magic of chemistry—while taking responsible precautions to minimize or eliminate potential risks.”

No chemistry set on the market today provides more than a bare start on essential equipment and chemicals. All of the elements needed to create your own are readily available and surprisingly inexpensive—and the Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments guide shows you how to get started. This unique, easy-to-use handbook provides step-by-step instructions, outlining how to:

§         Select and buy the proper equipment for your home chemistry lab

§         Practice laboratory safety

§         Master your laboratory skills

§         Conduct 17 hands-on laboratory experiments

Arriving in bookstores soon and available online at www.oreilly.com, the Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments offers introductory level laboratory sessions suitable for middle school students to more advanced sessions geared for students preparing for the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry exam. Science enthusiasts can equally benefit from this one-of-a-kind guide to master all of the essential practical skills and fundamental knowledge needed to pursue chemistry as a lifelong hobby.

Robert Bruce Thompson has also co-authored books including Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders, Astronomy Hacks, Building the Perfect PC, and PC Hardware in a Nutshell.

O'Reilly Media spreads the knowledge of innovators through its books, online services, magazines, and conferences. Since 1978, O'Reilly Media has been a chronicler and catalyst of cutting-edge development, homing in on the technology trends that really matter and spurring their adoption by amplifying "faint signals" from the alpha geeks who are creating the future. An active participant in the technology community, the company has a long history of advocacy, meme-making, and evangelism. www.oreilly.com

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