Recreate Machine Innovations

Recreate Discoveries About Machine Innovations is part of the “Recreate Scientific Discoveries” series by Crabtree Publishing. This book and others in the series are excellent at briefly summarizing the scientific theory behind each invention or discovery and giving students a hands-on activity to apply the knowledge.

Recreate Discoveries About Machine Innovations is filled with easy to follow step-by-step directions for fun scientific projects about machines. The instructions are clear and well-illustrated. The list of “What You Need” for each project requires items commonly found in your home. Some activities do recommend adult assistance or supervision.

The book follows the standard nonfiction format, including a table of contents, glossary, index, and a short list of books and websites with further information on the topics. There are also a few suggestions for where to buy materials for the projects, such as Staples, and Home Depot.

Recreate Discoveries About Machine Innovations is organized into 10 projects of increasing complexity, such as a thing flinger, cable delivery, weather machine, a snack machine, robotics, and prosthetics.

Each project provides some background information about a person who originated or contributed to the knowledge in each area. For example, while students are learning how to make a pedal trash can, they are also introduced to the American engineer who invented it.

Lillian Gilbreth

(1878-1972)

American engineer Dr. Lillian Gilbreth was an expert in saving time and energy. She studied psychology and engineering. Dr. Gilbreth invented products that made everyday tasks easier. For example, she disliked doing chores. She came up with ideas to make them less stressful. Door shelves in a fridge, the electric can-opener, and the pedal trash can were some of her inventions. We still use these inventions today.

Students will find lots to do and learn in Recreate Discoveries About Machine Innovations. The historic information combined with the simple projects will encourage young readers to think more deeply about each of the topics. The simple hands-on activities will be popular with multimodal learners.

I can’t wait to combine Recreate Discoveries About Machine Innovations with some of the “What You Need” supplies for the young scientists in our family. I predict this book and the other five books in the series will be very popular with young inventors and creators.