• How can a long metal needle pass through a balloon without popping it?
• What can a chocolate chip cookie tell us about the Earth's resources and the importance of environmental conservation?
• Do spelling and punctuation really matter to the human brain?

Author Thomas O'Brien created his Brain-Powered Science series for educators who love to surprise and challenge their students with unanticipated results. Using his inquiry-oriented experiments based on the science of discrepant events—hands-on explorations or demonstrations in which the outcomes are not what students expect—teachers can challenge students' preconceived ideas and urge them to critically examine empirical evidence, draw logical inferences, and skeptically review their initial explanations with their peers.

O'Brien also adds a science education component to the extensive science content found in each activity. Thus the three Brain-Powered Science volumes are the perfect dual-purpose activity books for grade 5–12 science teachers, science teacher educators and their preservice students, and professional development specialists—any educator who aims to stimulate and motivate students while expanding his or her own scientific understanding. Each activity will help bridge the gap between practice and theory for both students and teachers by relating conclusions to science concepts and pedagogical principles.

These thorough and thought-provoking texts include hundreds of internet resources, as well as countless extensions to each of the physical science, biology, and chemistry activities. Most important, Brain-Powered Science makes science teaching and learning enjoyable. O'Brien implores teachers to remember: The study of science is full of surprises and should be both meaningful and fun for students.