The Book of Terrifyingly Awesome Technology

Here comes the future! The world's coolest technology comes to life with fun, hands-on experiments for kids.

 

•             Test solar power with milk jugs and balloons

•             Understand genome technology with food coloring

•             Launch your own "microsatellites" into orbit

 

These 27 terrific experiments use basic stuff from around the house and will help you understand the fascinating and potentially scary world of driverless cars, artificial intelligence, robots and androids, 3-D printing, test-tube meat, smart clothing, and more. Through cool illustrations, photos, and Sean Connolly's clear and always-lively writing, you'll learn what each breakthrough means, how it can improve our lives, and what its downside might be. An elevator leading into outer space? A robot that learns to think for itself? What could possibly go wrong?

 

Attention, parents: It's time to put the "T" in STEM! You've probably heard that acronym, which stands for the core subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. And though technology can get pretty scary in our imaginations, these experiments give your kids a hands-on understanding of the principles behind the innovations-so no, they won't be performing laser surgery on their siblings or reprogramming the GPS in your car. (But they'll still have fun!)

 



 

  Explore the exciting but potentially disastrous world of digital technology, robotics, computer science, and electronics with fun sci-fi flair and hands-on projects. Sean Connolly's award-winning science series now includes the T in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)! Sean Connolly is the author of the Totally Irresponsible Science series and dozens of other books for both children and adults. A father of three, he is in an ideal position to explain the nuts and bolts of these experiments. He lives in England.





  Table of Contents

 

Chapter 1

Speed breeding

Experiment: Gardener's Green Thumb-or Is It Yellow, or Violet?

 

Chapter 2

Solar Energy Beam

Experiment: Solar Party Time?

 

Chapter 3

Robots and Androids

Experiment: Can You Beat That!

 

Chapter 4

Microsatellites

Experiment: We Have Liftoff!

 

Chapter 5

Reusable Rockets

Experiment: Instant Replay!

 

Chapter 6

Audio Spotlights

Experiment: Riding the Waves

Bonus Experiment: Keys to Success

 

Chapter 7

Sound Disruptors

Experiment: Birthday Blast

 

Chapter 8

Artificial Intelligence

Experiment: Thanks for the Memory

 

Chapter 9

The World Wide Web

Experiment: Just Browsing

 

Chapter 10

Driverless Cars

Experiment: Going for a Spin

 

Chapter 11

Virtual Reality

Experiment: Optical Illusion?

 

Chapter 12

The Cloud

Experiment: Play Your Cards Right

 

Chapter 13

The "Internet of Things"

Experiment: How Are "Things"?

 

Chapter 14

Genome Technology

Experiment: Virus to the Rescue

 

Chapter 15

GPS

Experiment: On the Right Track

 

Chapter 16

Clothing as Air Conditioner

Experiment: Hey-Chill Out!

 

Chapter 17

3D Printing

Experiment: Hey-Cut It Out!

 

Chapter 18

Smart Glasses

Experiment: Clear as a Bell?

 

Chapter 19

Holograms

Experiment: Homemade Holograms

 

Chapter 20

Laser Surgery

Experiment: Preparing for Surgery

 

Chapter 21

Drones

Experiment: Flight Testing

 

Chapter 22

Test Tube Meat

Experiment: What's that Growing in My Kidney

 

Chapter 23

Harvesting Water from the Air

Experiment: Water Catchers

 

Chapter 24

Electric Cars

Experiment: Taking the Battery Out for a Spin

 

Chapter 25

Powered Exoskeletons

Experiment: Thanks for the Lift

 

Chapter 26

Space Elevator

Experiment: Going Up?

  "Th