Mad Professor: Concoct Extremely Weird Science Projects--Robot Food, Saucer Slime, Martian Volcanoes, and More

Mark Frauenfelder, Chronicle Books. Chronicle Books, $14.95 (80pp) ISBN 978-0-8118-3554-1

Kids looking for something fun to do will find plenty of ideas in an assortment of hands-on volumes. With crisp, retro comic illustrations, Mad Professor: Concoct Extremely Weird Science Projects by Mark Frauenfelder entices youngsters to create ""Robot Food,"" ""Goon Goo"" and ""Top-Secret Ink."" Four sections explore polymer science, robotics, earth science and the significance of the scientific method; each experiment calls for common household items. Spiral binding and acetate pages facilitate experimentation.

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