A visual odyssey that will change the way we see our planet, this remarkable book, companion to the acclaimed Discovery Channel/ BBC series, is an enduring and awe-inspiring record of one of the most ambitious natural history projects ever undertaken. Using the latest aerial surveillance, state-of-the-art cameras, and high definition technology, the creators of Planet Earth have assembled more than 400 stunning photographs from around the globe.
Planet Earth: As You've Never Seen It Before Book (Hardcover)
Tennessee biology teacher John Scopes was arrested in 1925 for teaching evolution in defiance of state law. His trial became an epic free speech debate that spiraled into an all-out duel between science and religion, with two of the century's greatest orators, Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan, as competing attorneys. MONKEY TRIAL explores the social fault line between scientific discoveries and the literal truth of the Bible.
One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale, by Demi, is a beautifully illustrated book that demonstrates a simple mathematical concept. Is it a fairy tale, or a math lesson? I'd say it's both.
In the introduction, the authors say that teachers were asking for resources they could give to parents "to use at home to help their children in mathematics. They told us that parent were frustrated in not knowing enough about their children's math program to help them or in not understanding the mathematics their children were studying". With a grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, the authors developed the activities in Family Math.
The activities are hands-on, with objects like blocks and beans. As the authors say "traditionally, these materials are used mostly in the early elementary years and paper-and-pencil mathematics becomes the rule after second or third grade. This is unfortunate, since much of mathematics can best be explained and understood using the tools of manipulative materials and models; and, in fact, many research and applied mathematicians do just that."
Also in the series:
Family Math
Family Math for Young Children: Comparing
Family Math - The Middle School Years: Algebraic Reasoning and Number Sense
"The Animal Family books are not just written by their authors. They are studied and researched and lived into existence. Each book helps to make the world of nature that much more real, more understandable, and more valuable to children." ~Description from Stacey's website
This is a great starting telescope, and has a very comfortable-round shape. Astroscan Telescope is a high-performance telescope that is easy-to-use, maintenance-free and completely portable.
A long time ago, there was a great store in Noe Valley called "Star Magic". It had all kinds of cool stuff in it, most of it to do with space and science (but not all). That's where I bought an Astroscan telescope as a gift for my husband and eventually discovered Edmund Scientifics. Years later, GalaxyGoo became an Edmund Scientifics affiliate, and we're now linking to one of their products: the Astroscan telescope. Funny how life travels these little circles and spirals.
The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins is one of my all time favorite books--in the top 5! The illustrations are intricate and inspiring...some of the most wonderful science illustration I've ever seen. It's just beautiful! The book is about Waterhouse Hawkins, a scultpor and artist who worked with paleontologists in Victorian England. Very few fossils were known at the time, and certainly not complete. With comparative anatomy, he and his collegues visualized what they thought dinosaurs may have looked like. Some of it was right, and some wrong...but the important thing was the process, and the show!
Up for a little time travel? Let's way go back to days of morse-code and the early "wireless". I haven't tried these kits yet, but they look very interesting: Radio Receiver and Morse Code Kit
The product description says that they're best for ages 10 and up. However, they also say, with adult supervision, they're good for ages 3 and up. Cool! Sounds like a family activity to me!

Cool little stocking-stuffer: Staple-Less Stapler

This Solar System Shower Curtain hasn't been updated for the de-planetization of Pluto, but it's still pretty cool.

These Robot Lamps are great! It's very cool that they've designed a version in "girly" colors too. It's sad that so many girls don't get to have robot toys, just because they don't come in pink. Well, now they can!

Gift certificates are great! Especially as gifts for kids' teachers!
Science & Tech:
Edmund Scientifics Gift Certificates
For the kitchen:
Sur La Table Gift Certificates
The Perfect Gift - A CHEFS Catalog Gift Card
Family:
Leaps & Bounds Gift Certificates
Kaleidoscopes are cool. Building your own is very cool.
Authentic Models Seeing Stars Kaleidoscope Kit kaleidoscope kit

These little markers are fantastic. Did I mention they're washable? Always a plus with art supplies for kids. They're also not as bulky as regular sized markers.
Crayola Pip-Squeaks Markers set of 16

This design is based on our click-n-spell with the elements game. Chocolate is spelled out with symbols from the periodic table of elements.

A GalaxyGoo original...The Cell! A great t-shirt for any Biology or Science Geek. The design is inspired by The Cell Project at GalaxyGoo.