Make a Cardboard Arcade Game

Make a Cardboard Arcade Game

In 2011, nine­-year­-old Caine Monroy built working cardboard versions of his favorite arcade games in his dad's auto parts shop, including a basketball toss and a tabletop soccer game with plastic army men. A customer named Nirvan Mullick liked Caine's Arcade so much, he invited lots of people to come and play. Mullick also made a short documentary about Caine's Arcade, and Caine became famous! You can watch the video here. www.cainesarcade.com
Download a Printer-Friendly PDF
Magnetic Field Viewer

Magnetic Field Viewer

From Electricity

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

View
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!

View
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.

View
Build the Eiffel Tower

Build the Eiffel Tower

From The Science and Technology of Marie Curie

Built in 1889 for the World Exposition, the Eiffel Tower honored the French Revolution. It also showcased national engineering and design expertise to an audience of global visitors. Originally intended as a temporary monument, it remains one of the world’s most visited landmarks. The structure of the tower itself is actually quite simple! To understand how its rivets and beams join, build a model of your own.

View

Reviews

A Best of the Best selection - 2016 Kansas State Reading Circle

Booklist
This appealing offering should prove to be a popular addition to STEAM collections.”

Publishers Weekly
“Digital natives with a serious interest in gaming should find Ceceri's handbook an excellent resource.” Read more online.

Cathe Post, Senior Editor, GeekMom.com
“This is an enjoyable journey through the history of video games. It would be great for kids and even grandparents who want to know more about what their kids (and grandkids) are playing!”

Children's Literature
“Part of the Build It Yourself series, Ceceri's book proposes to inspire interest in STEAM and would be a useful addition to a middle school library's resource section on careers in computers and video game design.”

Ithaca's Child
“Video games can be found just about everywhere, from computers to smartphones to Wi-Fi, and it's not just kids who play them. There's a great section on the power of story in video games and, for your next party, a recipe for Tetris treats. Sprinkled through the book are "words to know" and "bonus points" - fun facts about coding and games- and lots of resources for kids who want to go further.”

National Science Teachers Association Recommends
“This book is sure to be a hit! ...Parents and teachers alike who are interested in STEM or STEAM should pick up a copy. I can't wait to see what my Biology class produces.” Read more online.

Detailed Book Description

What does the 13,000-year-old mancala game have in common with today's Minecraft? They both require logic, critical thinking skills, and creativity! In Video Games: Design and Code Your Own Adventure, readers discover that the video games they play today have their roots in the games kids played in the deserts of Ancient Egypt, and they'll learn how to design their own games from the initial idea to the final blips on the screen.

Activities in Video Games include creating text-based adventure quests, designing board games, and programming using free, kid-friendly software such as MIT's Scratch. For kids who just can't get enough of video games, here's a chance to visit behind the scenes at a game company to explore the entire design process, from idea to market. They'll have so much fun they won't realize they're learning about geometry, statistics, probability, physics, logic, psychology, and neuroscience.

Available In:
Hardcover, $22.95
9781619302914
Paperback, $17.95
9781619303003
Includes: Table of Contents | Timeline | Charts | Glossary | Resources | Index | Metric Conversions Chart
Specs: 8 x 10 size | 4-color interior | 128 pages
Subject: Science
Content Focus: Engineering & Technology

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Timeline

Introduction
Everyone Is a Gamer!

Chapter 1
Video Games and Their Roots

Chapter 2
Why Do We Play Games?

Chapter 3
Gamemaking Step by Step

Chapter 4
Coding: How to Write a Game Program

Chapter 5
Make Your Game Come to Life

Chapter 6
So, You Want to Make Video Games

Glossary
Metric Conversions
Resources
Index