Making a List … and Checking it Twice ????

You may want to add these two titles on yours:

Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects (Build, Invent, Create, Discover) foreward by Jack Andraka, published by DK Smithsonian, 2016.
Steam-makers: fostering creativity and innovation in the Elementary Classroom by Jacie Maslyk, published by Corwin, 2016.

Jack Andraka, the foreword writer of Maker Lab, was a 15 year old high school student when he invented an inexpensive early detection test for pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancer. He has won numerous awards for his work, currently is a student at Stanford University and is the author of the young adult memoir Breakthrough: How One Teen Innovator is Changing the World.
Inside Maker Lab, you will find really great projects like making Baked Alaska, Balloon Rocket Cars, Sticky Slime, Invisible Ink, Lemon Batteries, Breathing Machines, Rubber Band Planets, Stunning Stalactites, Soap-powered boats, Jungles in a Bottle, Wind Catchers, Erupting Volcanoes, Fantastic Fossils, Density Towers, Waterwheels, Icy Orbs, Sensational Speakers, and many more. Each project has step by step directions, supply lists with photos, beautiful illustrations to follow, and Real World Science facts about the project you are working on. The projects are also divided into four sections: Food for Thought, Around the Home, Water World, and The Great Outdoors. You will surely find something to relate to the curriculum to help students better understand and get “their hands on” experience on at the same time.

There are over 90 QR Codes for Web Resources in Steam-makers, as well as, a plethora of information including the history of STEM, change makers, failing, connecting, building, networking,  and starting. It connects disciplines, bridging learning styles by naturally engaging young people as they apply learning in creative ways. There are examples on how to get resources and grants. The appendices are filled with information on the STEAM Studio Badge System, a Sample Professional Development Plan, an English Language Arts Extension Chart, a STEAM Making Permission Slip, a Makerspace Supply List, Websites for STEAM and Making, and a Student Reflection Sheet.

Chapter 4 is one of my very favorite resources for children’s literature that can be used to support STEAM makers. The chart is divided by Maker Books by topics, which include architecture, inventors and inventions, robots, electricity, coding and programming, and math. Besides the book titles and authors, there is a Make it! column, A Little Inspiration column (with appropriate websites), and a QR Code column, which takes you to fantastic resources. Having all this infomation in one location is so vital, with the busy lives we lead and is such a valuable resource, as we support our students on their STEAM Making journey.

Good luck with your adventures ahead and may the “Making Magic” continue in the new year ahead.

 

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