National Geographic Kids: Make This!
By
Ella Schwartz. 154 pages. National Geographic Kids,
2019 $17
Content: G
BUYING
ADVISORY: EL(K-3), EL – ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE
APPEAL: HIGH
This fun how-to book is all about
making and exploring makerspaces. It features chapters about Materials, Systems,
Optics, Energy, Acoustics, Forces, and Motion. An example project is the pencil
pusher, where makers put pencils under stacks of books to act as a roller. This
project is awesome because it shows students how ancient people could have move
heavy objects, like for the building of Stonehenge. It is also easy to do with
readily available supplies. Another project I liked was reflective target practice:
using mirrors and flashlights in the dark to make light change direction. There
are also solving problem challenges: like How to design a visitor center at a
desert sanctuary without using too much energy.
What a great book for young makers
and thinkers! Teachers and Librarians should pick this up for lesson ideas and makerspace ideas!
Student readers would have fun trying out the projects, many of which they could
do without any help or extra supplies. The layout is fantastic and engaging.
The projects are so appealing –like the ball launcher, walking water, roman
arch using ice, and so many more. The writing is clear and easy to understand.
I also like that many of the projects reference things happening in today’s
world; like conservation, which is a great topic for today's young makers.
Reviewer: Stephanie MLS &
Author
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