3-D Engineering: Design and Build Your Own Prototypes

Reviews

Science Books and Films
++: Highly Recommended
". . . This book is a wonderful resource for teachers and parents to use in the classroom and at home. It gets back to the basics with exciting activities that are hands-on that support the STEM program. When kids use their hands and work together to create a prototype, the outcomes are much higher when they are actively engaged in this type of learning. It gives students confidence in math while building problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. This is a book that teachers, parents, boys, and girls will enjoy as they learn about the many facets of the engineering world."

School Library Connection, April 2016
"Author Vicky V. May has produced a procedural book for the 21st century. Information covers electricity, chemistry, earth science, physics, and energy . . . The text, with fast facts, sidebars, and text boxes, is kid-friendly and the topics fit the science curriculum. Its guided inquiry approach makes this a useful tool for students seeking science fair ideas, teachers selecting creative outcomes to lessons, and learners who thrive on hands-on projects. Cartoon-like illustrations supplement the "how-to" aspect of the book nicely. Recommended"

Booklist Online 
"Engineers design solutions for common or sophisticated needs, and here kids are challenged to consider, brainstorm, experiment, and create prototypes for 25 projects, from a pencil holder to a cardboard chair to a mini-robot. Each of the first seven chapters examines a specific topic and then asks readers to create one to three corresponding projects . . . Instructions for each project include five steps with highlighted vocabulary and informational text boxes. Most projects lean toward collaboration and experimentation. Colored text boxes and illustrations help break up the text, and several experiments have QR codes for expanded online content. Part of the Build It Yourself series, this book will prove useful to middle-school science teachers."

Joseph J. Helble, dean, Thayer School of Engineering, professor of engineering, Dartmouth College
"3-D Engineering does a wonderful job of conveying the creative discovery and invention that are such important parts of engineering. The author nicely addresses the need for an engineer to not only use the tools of math and science to solve problems, but to experiment, tinker, and discover as a way to develop creative solutions to some of our most pressing problems."

Amanda Burns, fifth-grade teacher
"This book brings engineering to the classroom in such a clear and concise way. Children and teachers learn about the many facets of the engineering world while engaging in fun, hands-on activities. This book provides an excellent overview of what it takes to think like an engineer."

Matt Buck, fifth-grade teacher
"This book nails it! A wonderful resource for the individuals in my classroom who want to take their learning a step further, and I can also use it with my whole class as we explore particular aspects of engineering. 3-D Engineering is engaging with its text and numerous opportunities for building and designing projects. A positive and engaging use of technology to link the learner to "Primary Source' material!"