Reviewed by Juliana Texley
NSTA Web Field Editor
As I work with preservice teachers, I tell them I never apologize for offering a series of lab activities they can do for little or no cost—using everything from sand collections to catsup cups and garage sale treasures. I now have a book that not only supports and supplements my position, but one that has given me many more ideas.
Almost everyone finds that they must become The Frugal Science Teacher at some point in their career. Linda Froschauer's collection of strategies and activities will be invaluable to them. Paper airplanes, string racers, and towers are inquiry projects that students love. There are ideas for projects, games, and integration activities like cartooning. Bubbles, seeds, and common kitchen products become the foundation of more classroom activities.
The collection is interdisciplinary, and the ideas can easily be stretched through the elementary years. Perhaps more importantly, the attitudes of the "make-do" authors soon become infectious. Once teachers realize that science equipment—and science exploration—can be found everywhere, they begin to see opportunities in every corner, on every shelf, even in that trash or recycling bin. Low budgets need never be an excuse for low-interest curricula with NSTA's new paperback collection; it's both informational and inspirational.
Review posted on 3/2/2010
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