Junk Drawer Engineering - (Junk Drawer Science) by Bobby Mercer (Paperback)

About the Book

"Children love challenges, especially ones that involve hands-on experimentation and friendly competition. Can they build a bridge using only pasta and glue, one that a toy car can drive both under and over, and is sturdy enough to carry a considerable weight? Can they construct a "roller coaster" from recycled cardboard tubes in which the marble "car" jumps a track to land safely at its final destination? And can they create a device to safely catch a freefalling egg? These projects and more can be found in Junk Drawer Engineering, which demonstrates that you don't need high-tech equipment to make learning fun--just what you can find in your recycling bin and around the house. At its heart, engineering is the application of science to solve a design problem. Science teacher Bobby Mercer provides readers with 25 open-ended design challenges for children of all ages. The projects can be modified to meet the skill levels of the children doing them, from elementary school kids to teenagers. Though each challenge includes suggested materials and one step-by-step, illustrated solution, children are encouraged to modify and improve on the basic design, and come up with new and more complicated design parameters. Educators and parents will find this title a handy resource to teach children problem-solving skills and applied physics, all while having a lot of fun."--

Book Synopsis

There's no need for expensive, high-tech materials to test your engineering skills--you probably have all you need in your home junk drawer. Each hands-on project in this book will challenge you to come up with a unique solution to a specific design problem. Construct a Pasta Bridge strong enough to support a heavy load, using only dry linguini and glue. Build a Marble Roller Coaster from recycled cardboard tubes, in which the marble "car" jumps a track to land safely at its final destination. Or design an Egg Catch device to safely capture a free-falling egg. Test yourself or use them for friendly competitions--who can come up with the best solution?

These 25 open-ended design challenges can be performed for just pennies . . . or less. Each project has a suggested materials list, step-by-step instructions with illustrations for one possible solution, and suggestions on how to adapt each challenge for different ages and skill levels. Educators and parents will find this title a handy resource to teach children problem-solving skills and applied physics, all while having a lot of fun.

Review Quotes

"...this is a solid collection of STEM activities for tweens. Science teachers will want to investigate." --School Library Journal

"It's educational and fun. I think this book would be good in schools and home-schools. There's a science explanation at the end of each experiment."--Kids' BookBuzz

"It's perfect for kids to learn and let their creative side show."--Test Try Results

"Teachers and librarians with small or nonexistent budgets looking for STEM projects will find this book a very useful resource." --School Library Connection

"A fun, hands-on resource for anyone who wants to inspire STEM-minded kids." --Publishers Weekly

"Recommendations for adapting each project for children of different ages and skill levels round out this educational and entertaining repository! Highly recommended." --Midwest Book Review

"The compilation and suggested modifications for youngsters with different backgrounds and skill sets make this particularly welcome for science teachers as well as young learners... Hours of fun for STEM-inclined kids, parents, caregivers, and teachers." --Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Bobby Mercer has been sharing the fun of science for more than two decades as a high school physics teacher. He is the author of Junk Drawer Physics, Junk Drawer Chemistry, and The Flying Machine Book.