Description

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Are you a passionate amateur naturalist?

Would you like to record videos of the microscopic world?

Detect an insect's heartbeat? Separate molecules with electricity?

Extract and purify DNA . . . in your kitchen?

Now you can do all these things and more with this wonderful compendium of unique and exciting projects. Gathered here, in the most comprehensive, wide-ranging collection of projects available for the amateur biologist, are some of the finest experiments from Scientific American's popular "Amateur Scientist" column. Whether you'd like to find out how to measure the metabolism of an insect, learn museum secrets for preserving plants, or discover how to teach a sow bug to navigate a maze, you'll find the project to suit your needs.

Filled with experiments from a wide range of specialties, including botany, genetics, behavioral studies, cellular biology, microscopy, microbiology, and entomology, this fascinating book also contains helpful hints and clear instructions on how to build experimental apparatus using simple household materials and affordable alternatives to more expensive scientific equipment. Whether you're a student, teacher, or dedicated amateur scientist, you'll find projects here to excite your interest as well as deepen your understanding of-and appreciation for-the natural world.

About the Author

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SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN reaches more than three million readers globally by subscription, on newsstands, and online at www.sciam.com.

SHAWN CARLSON was the author of Scientific American's "Amateur Scientist" column from 1995 to 2001. He is the Executive Director of the Society for Amateur Scientists and a 1999 winner of the prestigious MacArthur Foundation "genius" Fellowship.