📖 Overview
Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects guides readers through hands-on science experiments and creative building activities. The book presents projects across chemistry, physics, biology and engineering that can be completed using common household materials.
Each project includes step-by-step instructions, clear photographs, and scientific explanations of the principles at work. The difficulty levels range from beginner to intermediate, with estimated completion times and safety notes provided for all activities.
The projects build skills in measurement, observation, problem-solving and basic scientific concepts. Material lists, "How it Works" sections, and "More Ideas" suggestions accompany each activity to extend the learning.
This collection exemplifies experiential learning principles and demonstrates how everyday materials can reveal core science concepts. The book aims to foster curiosity about the natural world through direct investigation and experimentation.
👀 Reviews
Parents and educators report this book delivers clear, engaging science projects that work with common household materials. Teachers note the step-by-step photos help students work independently.
Liked:
- Projects take 30-60 minutes on average
- Materials lists are accurate and accessible
- Safety warnings included
- Photos show kids what to expect at each step
- Projects demonstrate real scientific principles
Disliked:
- Some projects require adult supervision
- A few materials, like corn starch, may need to be purchased
- Several reviewers mentioned the "DNA extraction" experiment didn't work well
Ratings:
Amazon: 4.7/5 from 1,842 reviews
Goodreads: 4.3/5 from 107 ratings
One parent wrote: "My 9-year-old can follow most projects alone. The 'rainbow density tower' was a hit." A teacher noted: "Clear photos make it easy for students to check their progress."
The book won the 2017 Royal Society's Young People's Book Prize, selected by student judges.
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Smithsonian Maker Lab: Outdoors by Jack Challoner Twenty-five nature-focused projects combine crafting with scientific principles to explore the natural world.
STEAM Lab for Kids by Liz Lee Heinecke Fifty-two projects integrate science, technology, engineering, art, and math through hands-on experiments and creative activities.
The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book by Tom Robinson The collection of 100+ experiments covers chemistry, physics, and biology through projects that use common household items.
Kitchen Science Lab for Kids by Heinecke Liz Lee Food-based experiments and activities demonstrate scientific concepts through 52 family-friendly projects using kitchen ingredients.
Smithsonian Maker Lab: Outdoors by Jack Challoner Twenty-five nature-focused projects combine crafting with scientific principles to explore the natural world.
STEAM Lab for Kids by Liz Lee Heinecke Fifty-two projects integrate science, technology, engineering, art, and math through hands-on experiments and creative activities.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔬 Jack Challoner has written more than 30 books on science and technology, sharing his expertise with both children and adults.
🧪 The book won the Royal Society's Young People's Book Prize in 2017, recognizing its excellence in science writing for young readers.
⚡ Many of the projects in the book use everyday household items, making science experiments accessible to families regardless of their budget.
🌟 The Smithsonian Institution, one of the world's largest museum complexes, partnered in publishing this book to ensure scientific accuracy and educational value.
🔍 The book's step-by-step photography technique was specifically designed to help visual learners follow the experiments more easily, a method proven effective in STEM education.