STEM Friday

High-Tech LEGO Projects: 16 Rule-Breaking Inventions
by Grady Koch (Author)

Booktalk: A collection of 16 scientific and technical projects to build with parts from the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 robotics set and other components. You’ll find a motion-activated animal cam, a Morse code transmitter, a laser security fence, a motion-sensing radar detector, an automated insect trapper, a heat-seeking infrared cannon and more! Every project brings together science, mechanics, electronics, optics, and software to create complex instruments for studying and measuring the world around you with step-by-step directions.

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It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

January 29, 2021January 28, 2021

Living vs. Nonliving (Science Showdowns)

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Living vs. Nonliving (Science Showdowns)
by Maddie Spalding (Author)

Booktalk: This chapter book illustrates the differences between living and nonliving by explaining what makes an object living or nonliving and the features of both. A chart compares the concepts to help solidify readers’ grasp of the material. Additional features include a table of contents, a phonetic glossary, an index, and sources for further research.

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It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

January 22, 2021January 21, 2021

Blizzards (Spot Extreme Weather)

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Blizzards (Spot Extreme Weather)
by Anastasia Suen (Author)

Booktalk: Brr. You don’t want to be caught in this snow storm. With turbulent winds, colossal drifts, and teeth-chattering cold temperatures, blizzards can quickly become extreme winter weather. Using a search-and-find framework, emergent readers learn simple facts about blizzards, including snowflakes formation and whiteouts.

Snippet:
See the snowflakes?
Frozen water turns to ice.
Crystals form to make snow.

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

January 15, 2021January 14, 2021

Exploring the Elements: A Complete Guide to the Periodic Table

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Exploring the Elements: A Complete Guide to the Periodic Table
by Isabel Thomas (Author) and Sara Gillingham (Artist)

Booktalk: Each of the 118 elements is visually presented with its respective letter symbol and atomic number, as well as a map of where it’s located in the periodic table. Additional details show where each element is found in the universe (from food on our plates to the center of a star), its unique properties, atomic diagram, secret chemistry, and working examples of how its’s used or changing the world.

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It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021

The Nest That Wren Built

At Growing With Science blog today we are featuring The Nest That Wren Built by Randi Sonenshine and illustrated Anne Hunter. It has appeared on more than one “Best of 2020” list.

This gently rhyming book about Carolina wrens building a nest follows the style of “The House That Jack Built.”

This is the bark, snippets of twine,
spidery rootlets, and needles of pine
that shape the nest that Wren built.

The text goes into detail about how the wrens gather materials to make the nest. Some of the ingredients are expected, like soft moss for a lining the inside. Others are very surprising, like draping a snakeskin on the outside (to ward off predators). After the nest is built, the story follows the eggs and baby birds through development.

Anne Hunter’s illustrations are a fascinating combination of whimsical and realistic. Young readers will have fun looking for little things hidden in each page.

The back matter includes a glossary and additional interesting facts about wrens.

The Nest That Wren Built will enchant nature lovers, especially budding ornithologists. Surprise yourself with a copy today.

Cindy and Lynn reviewed The Nest That Wren Built earlier at Nonfiction Monday.

Visit Growing with Science for more information and related STEM activity suggestions.

January 8, 2021January 7, 2021

I Like the Outdoors … What Jobs are There?

I Like the Outdoors … What Jobs are There?
by Carron Brown (Author) and Roberto Blefari (Illustrator)

Booktalk: From being a park ranger, to a paleontologist, to a construction site manager, to a landscape gardener, this book takes readers through a day in the life of 25 outdoor workers.

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See the book trailer.

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

December 18, 2020December 17, 2020

Comparisons Big and Small

Comparisons Big and Small
by Clive Gifford (Author) and Ana Seixas (Illustrator)

Booktalk: From which animal is the fastest to which machine is the biggest, this book of visual comparisons familiarizes young children with figures and measurements without using long numbers or complicated concepts.

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See the book trailer.

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

December 11, 2020December 10, 2020

Girls Garage

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Girls Garage: How to Use Any Tool, Tackle Any Project, and Build the World You Want to See
by Emily Pilloton (Author) and Kate Bingaman-Burt (Artist)

Booktalk: With a background in architecture and construction, Emily Pilloton started the nonprofit Girls Garage to give girls the tools to build the world they want to see. Since 2013, girls ages 9-18 have come to Girls Garage’s workshop eager to use power tools and build real-world projects for their community. Now you can do it, too — wherever you live.

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Listen to the author talk about why she wrote the book.

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

December 4, 2020January 8, 2021

Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls

We’re going to the birds today at STEM Friday.

Over at Growing with Science blog we have the super picture book, Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls by by Annette Whipple.

What do you notice when you see the owl on the cover? Maybe the huge eyes? What do you think of? The sound they make? Have you ever seen an owl in real life?

The book starts out with these observations and a stirring question:

“You recognize an owl when you hear or see one, but do you really know these birds?”

From there, each double-page spread features gorgeous color photographs with text in a question and answer format. You will find out what owl’s eat, how they hunt, whether they sleep during the day, where they live, and what’s up with owl pellets. My favorite questions was whether owls can spin their heads around. Do you know the answer?

The formatting is engaging, with eye-catching design elements and fun dialogue bubbles with cool facts. Great for visual learners.

The back matter will thrill educators. There’s a section about how to help owls, an explanation of owl anatomy, an owl pellet dissection discussion, and a glossary.

Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls is nonfiction at its best. It will obviously appeal to young birdwatchers and nature lovers, but also to anyone interested in the world around them. Reading it will make you wiser <wink>.

For related activity suggestions, visit Growing with Science.

December 4, 2020December 3, 2020

The Twelve Birdies of Christmas

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The Twelve Birdies of Christmas
by Jennifer Sattler (Author / Illustrator)

Booktalk: From beret-wearing French hens to calling birds using their cell phones to scuba-diving swans, this visual reimagining of the traditional holiday song is hilariously brought to life as 12 birdies count their way through the 12 days. Christmas math for toddlers!

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It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)