There's no need for expensive, high-tech lab equipment to perform ecology experiments-you probably have all you need in your home junk drawer. Construct a greenhouse using a recycled 2-liter bottle. Measure air pollution by collecting particulates with an index card and clear tape. Mix up a batch of organic "plastic" using milk and vinegar. Create a visual representation of a food chain with yarn, sticky notes, and pens. Build a working solar oven from an old pizza box, foil, plastic wrap, and tape. Or model the benefits of biodiversity using paper clips and a calculator. Here are 50 great hands-on experiments and demonstrations that can be performed for just pennies .

or less. Each project has a materials list, detailed step-by-step instructions with photos, and a brief explanation of the scientific principle being demonstrated-the environmental impact of pollution, the physical process of ocean currents, new ways to cut our dependence on fossil fuels, the importance of the polar regions, how readers can recycle materials, and more. Book jacket.