Ruben’s Books: Ruben’s books (published by ABC Chidren’s Books) are packed with simple, safe yet extraordinary science experiments kids can try at home using ordinary household materials. Many kids will recognise some of these experiments from his weekly appearances on Rollercoaster (ABC Kids). Every experiment has step-by-step instructions accompanied by photographs of Ruben performing the procedure making them not only easy to follow but guaranteed to work. Clear explanations of the science are peppered with amazing science facts, trivia and lots of humour. Ruben’s next book The Surfing Scientist #3 – 40 Human Body Experiments is due for release in August 2009.

Best of all, Ruben’s ABC website is packed with a treasure trove of science teaching resources including hands-on lesson plans, amazing teacher demonstrations and captivating science conundrums. Each comes complete with clear objectives, teacher notes and colour photos. They’re free to download and no specialist training or equipment is required. Session durations are negotiable to suit school bell times and almost any venue is suitable (no power or running water is required). Only one trestle table (or similar) is required for props. Download further session information (PDF). Download a school visit book order form (PDF) and keep the students experimenting after Ruben's visit! Ruben’s background: Ruben emigrated to Bundaberg (Queensland) from The Netherlands when he was nine years old. Unable to speak a word of English, he immediately fell in love with the Pacific Ocean, sunshine, outdoor lifestyle, friendly people and amazing wildlife. He completed a Bachelor of Applied Science at QUT, majoring in physics and worked in the electro-optics industry producing multi-layer optical coatings for lasers and many other applications. He left the lab and began performing science shows around Australia in 1995 with the Shell Questacon Science Circus while completing a Graduate Diploma in Science Communication at the ANU. Since then, Ruben has taught science education at Griffith University, produced three huge forensic science competitions, written science features for newspapers and surfing magazines, consulted on television projects such as Sleek Geeks (ABC TV) and Storm Surfers (Discovery Channel, 2008). He is still seriously contemplates completing his PhD on shark control programs and their impact on the risk of shark attack on humans.

Books:

The Surfing Scientist – 40 Cool Science Tricks
The Surfing Scientist #2 – 40 DIY Science Gizmos
Download a book order form for book sales at school visits.

DVDs:

The Experimentals

Websites and Online Videos:

Download Ruben’s lesson plans, teacher demos and conundrums for free

Watch Ruben’s recent Roller Coaster (ABC TV) appearances
(Keep your eyes peeled on this site for a brand new science blog in 2009!)

Watch Ruben on Catalyst (ABC TV) or view his Catalyst profile

Watch Ruben on The Experimentals (all 28 episodes)

Most exciting way to show simple but extremely effective science experiments. It’s the best science show I’ve ever seen.
- Mr John Papp, Year 6 Teacher – Regents Park State School (Regents Park)

For teachers who are uncomfortable ‘teaching’ science, this performance leads students to natural enquiry into the world around them.                 
- Mrs Sue Stimpson, Year 7 Teacher – Regents Park State School (Regents Park)

All the children in my class were totally enraptured and absorbed by all the activities presented. The hour just flew – it was fun learning! Ruben relates to the children very well, and presented meaningful messages about health and scientific information in a wonderful fashion, using resources such as liquid nitrogen which are not resources that teachers normally have access to.                 
- Mrs Wilma Kuipersmith, Year 4 Teacher, Marymount Primary School (Burleigh Heads)

The children brimmed over with enthusiasm and discussion for a few days following the performance. It was great to hear them using appropriate scientific language with each other when discussing what they had seen. Ruben was extremely enthusiastic and energetic in his presentation and this in turn enthused the children. They returned to class and in the recounts they wrote later, they showed a very solid understanding of the content covered.
- Jane Campbell, Year 2 – Marymount Primary School (Burleigh Heads)

The students loved it, and couldn’t wait to get home and try out some of the kitchen science he demonstrated. The staff and students enjoyed the whole performance enormously! The children were fully engaged the whole time and Ruben had lots of energy and enthusiasm.
- Mrs Kay Hodges, Year 3 – Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School (Kenmore)

Children were very excited that he [Ruben] was coming – they remembered him from last year. Ruben is an excellent presenter – keeping large groups of children excited AND entertained AND well behaved is not easy, but he does it well.                 
- Belinda Darcy, Year 3/4 – Mudgeeraba State School (Mudgeeraba)

The Year 8 students continue to respond enthusiastically to the Surfing Scientist and his presentation.  The experiments, displays and information presented relate directly to the Year 8 Science Program at Mt Maria College and are presented in an exciting and stimulating manner.  The questions and discussions generated by the performance are a great springboard in the science classroom for a number of topics.  The setting and context of the presentation offer students a unique enrichment of the curriculum.Ruben is a consummate performer.  He has an engaging and dynamic manner, which is able to hold the attention spans of adolescents, which is not an easy task.  The timing of segments in his presentation enables flow of topics and information.
- Mr Mark Moore, Mt Maria College