The popularity of Maker Spaces and Maker Education in schools has exploded and for good reason — kids love using these hands-on areas to explore, problem-solve and tap into their inventive interests. Just in time for National Inventors Day on 2/11 and National Engineering Week (the week of 2/17), National Geographic Kids Books is unveiling Make This! Building, Thinking and Tinkering Projects for the Amazing Maker in You by Ella Schwartz (Feb 2019, ages 8-12, $16.99).
This book is designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and supports all kinds of kid creators: those who prefer guided instruction, those who prefer to dream up and design objects on their own, and everyone in between. Within the nearly 160 pages of this book kids get the tools and the know-how to tackle all kinds of exciting projects: building a kaleidoscope, designing a fidget spinner, planting a rain forest, creating a musical instrument, and more. Unconventional scenarios inspired by real National Geographic Explorers give kids a chance to think outside the box and apply their maker skills to real life. Chapters are divided up by scientific principle, such as simple machines, energy, and forces. In each chapter, kids can start by following step-by-step activities, or get creative by tackling an open-ended challenge. Helpful sidebars explain the science behind what's happening every step of the way.
This book is designed to inspire the next generation of engineers and supports all kinds of kid creators: those who prefer guided instruction, those who prefer to dream up and design objects on their own, and everyone in between. Within the nearly 160 pages of this book kids get the tools and the know-how to tackle all kinds of exciting projects: building a kaleidoscope, designing a fidget spinner, planting a rain forest, creating a musical instrument, and more. Unconventional scenarios inspired by real National Geographic Explorers give kids a chance to think outside the box and apply their maker skills to real life. Chapters are divided up by scientific principle, such as simple machines, energy, and forces. In each chapter, kids can start by following step-by-step activities, or get creative by tackling an open-ended challenge. Helpful sidebars explain the science behind what's happening every step of the way.
About the author of Make This!, Ella Schwartz: In addition to writing books, Ella is a cybersecurity warrior interfacing with the U.S. federal government on strategic technology initiatives. She has a bachelor’s and masters degree in engineering from Columbia University. When she's not working, writing, or training to run a marathon, she volunteers on outreach initiatives to promote women in science and improve science literacy. Ella lives on Long Island, New York with her husband and three sons.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is fantastic. I love it so much! I love that it encourages makers in areas of building, thinking and just tinkering around because it engages your body and your mind in various ways. This book is great because some of the activities are free flowing or open ended, with no right or wrong approach. While others are step-by-step. These very different approaches trigger different creative processes. I was blown away by how well thought out the book was and the book has something for everyone. CHAPTERS: 1. Simple Machine, 2. Materials, 3. Systems, 4. Optics, 5. Energy, 6. Acoustics, 7. Forces and 8. Motion. A must for home (for snow days or summers days) and the classroom!
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