When it comes to potato chips, Lay’s is right. You can’t eat just one. At least I can’t. Whoever figured out that frying thinly sliced potatoes in boiling oil is a genius. But Allen Kurzweil is also a genius. He has found a way to make science explosively fun for kids with his book Potato Chip Science.

Packed inside a potato chip bag filled with biodegradable packing chips, this book shows kids how to conduct 29 experiments (or snacktivities) using potato chips, spuds, bags, tubs and lids. Each kit contains an illustrated 96-page step-by-step instruction book, potato propulsion pipe, spud-powered clock, chip lids, copper and zinc electrodes and other fun stuff.

Kids will explore the basic principles of physics, biology, chemistry and earth science by firing off a propulsion pipe, carving a shrunken spud mummy, creating a CSI detective kit and making a chip-lid compass.

Meet the man behind the chip bag on September 21 when Allen Kurzweil visits Left Bank Books. Grab a front row seat as Kurzweil uses the mighty potato to explain Boyle's Law, aerodynamics, conservations of energy and desiccation. While the book will cost you $17.95 (available at Left Bank Books,) the live science experiment is free.

This event is happening on Tuesday, September 21 at 7 p.m. at Left Bank Book’s flagship store in the Central West End. It’s most suitable for kids ages 8 to 14. For more information, visit their website or give them a call at (314) 367-6731.

And as an extra bonus, Left Bank Books is having their annual used book sale. Save 25% on all used books until September 30.

By Andrea Wilson, Potato Chip Lover and Events Blogger for SmartParenting