Design a Space Robot

Design a Space Robot

Think of what planet you would like to explore and design a robot based on the planet you chose.
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Magnetic Field Viewer

Magnetic Field Viewer

From Electricity

You can see magnetic fields in action with this easy-to-make viewer.

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Build a Craft Stick Catapult

Build a Craft Stick Catapult

From Engines!

Ancient armies used catapults in battle. But the catapult has been used as recently as World War I. In that war, soldiers used catapults to toss hand grenades at the enemy. Today, catapults are used to launch planes off the decks of huge ships called aircraft carriers. Because the runway is short on an aircraft carrier, the catapult helps get the plane into the air quickly. Try making your own!

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Explore Friction on a Ramp

Explore Friction on a Ramp

From The Physics of Fun

One part of physics that affects everything you do is friction! Friction is a force that occurs when two surfaces rub against each other. Smoother surfaces generate less friction, while rough or bumpy surfaces generate more friction. Check it out!

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The STEM in Your Closet

The STEM in Your Closet

From The Science of Fashion

Have you ever really thought about what kind of science, engineering, and technology actually go into making your clothes? Now is your chance! The zipper on your jacket was at one time an engineering miracle. The shirt that has built-in protection from the sun’s ultraviolet rays is a scientific innovation that helps to keep you healthy. There is a world of science and engineering in your closet. Just open the door.

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Reviews

School Library Connections
“This title could easily be a textbook in beginning robotics classes. It starts with a detailed table of contents and a resource page that includes books, websites, and museums can be found at the end of the book.  Each chapter poses an essential question that is repeated at the end of the book. There are many resources dispersed throughout the text.  All new vocabulary words are printed in color and defined on the same page in a text box. Those same definitions are found in the lengthy glossary at the end of the book. Another boon is the QR code in each chapter that takes the reader to videos illustrating the concepts being discussed.  Photographs illuminate the history of computing and robotics. Drawings are used to not only explain concepts, but also to show how projects will ultimately look and work.  In addition to multiple ideas for projects available at the end of each chapter, there are games, journal ideas, flowcharts to help with planning, information about coding, and even jokes.  All these "extras" will keep young readers interested and involved in the book.  This is an excellent addition to any library serving elementary to middle grade students. Recommended.

Praise for Carmella Van Vleet for Explore Electricity!

National Science Teachers Association Recommends
“Explore Electricity is written for an elementary age level, but middle school students would enjoy learning about historical background on electricity while completing the electricity projects. The contents of this book will captivate students with the electrifying topics. This book is a well-written resource for classroom teachers, students, and parents.”

Detailed Book Description

Where was the last time you saw a robot? Did you read about one in a book or see one in a movie? Maybe you saw one in a video game!

Some people think robots exist only in our imagination, but actually, robots are all around us right now. Robotics: With 25 Science Projects for Kids offers readers ages 7 to 10 an introduction to the history, mechanics, and future use of robots! Readers explore the history of robotics and discover how the first types looked and moved and what people expected they could do. Compare these early robots to those we have today, some of which don’t even have bodies! Kids discover how robots have changed as decades have passed and see how they now look, think, sense, move, and do things.

Robotics also discusses all the amazing things robots do for us—help us around the house, go into and explore dangerous situations, build our cars and other products, assist during surgeries, and protect and entertain us. Learn all about early robots such as Unimate and Elmer and Elsie, and compare them to modern-day robots Robonaut 2 and ASIMO.

Robotics includes 25 science-minded activities to engage budding scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and artists and help answer the questions, what exactly is a robot and where do they come from? Kids also discover how technology such as computers and other electronics of the last 50 or so years played an important role in the development of modern-day robotics. Combining hands-on fun with interesting facts, cartoons, and sidebars, Robotics provides young readers with a fun introduction to this fascinating and important field.

Robotics is part of a set of two Explore Technology books that introduce young digital natives to the history, science, and engineering of the tech world in which we live, using hands-on STEM activities, essential questions, links to online primary sources and real-life connections. The other title in this series is Simple Machines.

Try these hands-on STEAM projects!

  • Build a Walking Robot
  • Make your own simple accelerometer
  • Code a Sandwich
Available In:
Hardcover, $19.95
9781619308107
Paperback, $14.95
9781619308138
Includes: Table of Contents | Timeline | Glossary | Resources | Index | Metric Conversions Chart
Specs: 8 x 10 size | 4-color interior | 96 pages
Subject: Science

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Timeline

Introduction
Robots Rule!

Chapter 1
The History of Robotics

Chapter 2
What Do Robots Look Like?

Chapter 3
How Do Robots Do Things

Chapter 4
How Do Robots Sense Things?

Chapter 5
How Do Robots Think?

Glossary
Resources
Essential Questions
Index