STEM Makerspace Projects

Young makers can explore the world of botany with this fascinating introduction to plant science. Plants have a dynamic role in maintaining life on Earth. Even the smallest plants can make their own food, produce oxygen, and put down roots in an ever-changing world. Surprising facts, fascinating histories, and colorful photographs will help readers unfold the mysteries of plant science, and simple descriptions will give them the knowledge and confidence they need to create do-it-yourself projects. Readers can get their hands dirty making a bug hotel, a self-watering herb garden, and mini composting bin at home or at school.

In this detailed guide to Newton's laws of motion, readers will be encouraged to take learning into their own hands with three engaging makerspace projects. Young scientists will gain an understanding of the importance of these principles in scientific endeavors and in everyday life. They'll also learn about Sir Isaac Newton and how he discovered the laws of motion. Detailed instructions and colorful photographs will help students complete the projects and make connections with the new information they are learning.

Chemical reactions including combustion, rusting, and digestion occur all around us every day, even if we don't notice them. With this book, three illustrated makerspace projects will allow budding scientists to create their own chemical reactions. Readers will gain an understanding of the important uses of chemical reactions, the products they create, and the scientists who developed our understanding of them. Detailed instructions will help readers make slime, turn milk to plastic, and create delicious ice cream. Colorful photographs, diagrams, and graphic organizers help students visualize essential elementary science concepts, while fact boxes and sidebars enhance the narrative.

With this informative guide to robots, young makers are introduced to the diverse world of these amazing machines. Robots help humans in a number of ways including exploring space and performing surgery. Over the years, robots have become a part of our everyday lives. While people shouldn't be afraid of robots, they should work to understand what they are. Readers will learn exactly what makes a robot a robot. They will learn about the history of robots and how robots can help humans solve problems. Young makers will even have the opportunity to build their very own robot, which will make this book an instant favorite.

Will you get a snow day tomorrow? Or are you hoping for a sunny day for a summer picnic? Readers will learn about weather forecasting and how to make their own weather instruments with three engaging makerspace projects. They'll also learn more about people and events in the history of weather forecasting and the importance of tracking the weather. Budding scientists will enjoy following instructions in the text to create and use their own rain gauge, anemometer, and thermometer. Colorful photographs, diagrams, and graphic organizers will help students visualize the concepts. Fact boxes and sidebars provide additional information to aid reader comprehension.

Simple machines are the building blocks of numerous engineering wonders. Developed centuries ago, simple machines are still helping humans redirect and magnify force today. Levers, pulleys, wheels, wings, rotors and more have helped humans span the globe, scale mountains, sail the seas, bridge mighty rivers, and take to the skies. With this volume, readers will learn how different simple machines offer different mechanical advantages, as well as how they can combine to form complex machines capable of more complicated tasks. Step-by-step instructions will help young makers construct three different simple machines that can be used to solve problems and make work easier, just as they were used thousands of years ago.