Skulls and Skeletons!

Age range 9 to 12

In Skulls and Skeletons! With 25 Science Projects for Kids, readers learn about the bones in their bodies and why we can’t live without them. And bones aren’t just good for humans — many animals can’t live without them! But do all animals have bones? No, they don’t! And why do fish look so much different from birds, even though both have bones? Organisms use their bodies in different ways to successfully live in different habitats. For example, a bird’s light bones are great for flying, but would not support them deep in the ocean.

Skulls and Skeletons! encourages readers to learn as they compare and contrast their own bones with those of other vertebrates. They make working models, measure bone lengths and brain capacity, learn how to identify skulls and bones by shape, structure, and functions, and much more. Bones provide the framework that allow our muscles and organs to do their jobs. They also protect important body parts, provide a place for muscles to attach, and even make our blood. By exploring the skeletons that make up our bodies, kids gain foundational knowledge about how bodies work and what people can do to stay healthy.

Skulls and Skeletons! includes hands-on STEM activities and critical thinking exercises related to anatomy and biology. Fun facts, links to online primary sources and other supplemental material, and essential questions encourage readers to take a deep dive inside their own bodies.