Synergy: Architecture

Architecture is the art, science, and practice of designing and constructing structures such as buildings, bridges, and outdoor spaces.

Read the recently published work of nonfiction for youth then learn more at the website.

ADVENTURES IN ARCHITECTURE FOR KIDS by Vicky Chan is the second book in the new Design Genius Jr. series. The book features 30 design projects for children. Each hands-on activity explores a different aspect of STEAM discovery and learning associated with the architecture theme including general construction, architecture and history, landscape architecture, sustainable architecture, and city planning. Each project provides an overview, materials and tools needed, step-by-step instructions with photographs, and notes.

Architecture at Home is a web-based project from the Center for Architecture featuring two dozen, hands-on architecture activities for children. These short, easy design projects use readily available materials. Each project includes an overview, videos, step-by-step instructions, and a downloadable PDF.

To learn more, go to https://bit.ly/2ZKb0u4.

Use the book and website in a makerspace exploring architecture themes.

ARC courtesy of Rockport Publishers, an imprint of the Quarto Group.

Synergy: Do-It-Yourself

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) involves creating, modifying, or repairing things without the help of professionals. Coined in the early 20th century in the area of home improvement, today’s DIY projects include a wide range of topics that reflect growing interest in self-sufficiency. Makerspaces are an extension of this movement that often includes technology-based projects.

Read the recently published works of graphic nonfiction for youth, then learn more at the website.

The MAKER COMICS series combines the graphic novel genre with the step-by-step instruction of a DIY book. Books include FIX A CAR, BAKE LIKE A PRO, CREATE A COSTUME, DRAW A COMIC, and GROW A GARDEN.

SURVIVE IN THE OUTDOORS by Mike Lawrence is the latest release in the MAKER COMICS series. After a brief a safety reminder, readers follow siblings who are reluctant to leave their electronic devices for an outdoor adventure. From fishing and outdoor cooking to first aid and shelter, their grandfather helps them learn the basics of survival. The book concludes with additional tips.

Other upcoming titles in the series include CONDUCT A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT and LIVE SUSTAINABLY.

INSTRUCTABLES is a website containing endless DIY projects. Major sections of the website include circuits, workshop, crafts, cooking, living, outside, and teachers. The OUTSIDE area explores a wide range of outdoor project and contest ideas. The OUTDOOR SURVIVAL projects focus on activities such as filtering water, using a compass, and building shelter.

To visit Instructables, go to https://www.instructables.com/.

ARC courtesy of First Second, an imprint of Macmillan.

Synergy: Makerspaces

Makerspaces are areas where people can create products using traditional arts and crafts supplies or technology tools such as 3-D printers or digital studios.

Read the recently published nonfiction children’s book, then learn more at the website:

MAKE THIS! by Ella Schwartz explores building, thinking, and tinkering projects for youth. Chapters feature facts and projects for topics including simple machines, materials, systems, optics, energy, acoustics, forces, and motion.

The Maker Education website provides starting points for over a dozen affordable tools and technologies for use in makerspaces. Each category includes a suggested web resource, project ideas, video links, and documents.

Maker Education http://www.makereducation.com/ 

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Website Review: Make:

MAKE: is a website sharing tools and project ideas for makerspaces.

While many of the project ideas are geared to the K-12 classroom, others provide activities focusing on personal and community-based activities. The website is divided into sections focusing on tested projects, tool guides, and maker spotlights. All projects are tagged for easy access.

The Maker Faire section provides ideas for starting your own community-based project and the Maker Shed area features hands-on kits, digital books, and other materials.

Librarians will find this website useful for identifying maker space project ideas. Of particular note are the many robotic and computer science project ideas.

To visit the website, go to https://makezine.com/.

Website Review: Maker Ed

MAKER ED is a website providing resources and information to educators interested in maker-centered learning.

The Maker Education Initiative is a non-profit project providing training, support, and resources to the educational community. The website contains a resource library with planning materials and ideas for making the case for makerspaces in schools. Tools, materials, publications, research reports, and project approaches are also available. Of particular interest are tours and descriptions of specific examples of school, library, and museum makerspaces.

Librarians will find endless ideas for building maker spaces into teaching and learning activities.

To visit the website, go to https://makered.org.

Website Revie: Makerspace for Education

MAKERSPACE FOR EDUCATION is website providing resources related to makerspaces in teaching and learning.

The website introduces the basics of makerspaces along with the philosophical basis for the approach. A materials section lists print resources, software, websites, and other useful links to get educators started. A community of practice section welcomes involvement and provides links to a blog and teacher-generated lesson ideas.

Librarians will find this website to be helpful in designing makerspaces and locating materials and support for both the library and classroom settings.

To visit the website, go to http://www.makerspaceforeducation.com/.

Book Review: The Branch

THE BRANCH by Mireille Messier is a heartwarming picture book about a young girl and her neighbor who repurpose a broken branch.

A young girl is devastated when an ice storm snaps a favorite branch off a tree in her yard. After describing her many experiences playing on the branch, her neighbor helps the girl transform the piece of wood into something new.

Librarians will find this multigenerational story of renewal to be filled with learning opportunities. From STEAM projects to library makerspaces, this picture book is a wonderful tool for jumpstarting imagination and creativity.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.mireille.ca/.

Published by Kids Can Press, an imprint of Hachette. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Scrapkins: Re-Thunk

SCRAPKINS: RE-THUNK by Brian Yanish provides engaging activities and easy to follow directions for creating fun projects from common household materials.

This visually appealing book contains dozens of activities that involve using materials that people often throw away such as empty milk cartons, cereal boxes, and bottle caps. In addition to providing detailed instructions for creating instruments, puppets, and toys, the book also contains lots of other activities to maintain interest and spark creativity.

Librarians will find this nonfiction book to be popular with children who enjoy arts and crafts. Place the book in a maker space containing the raw materials necessary to create some of the projects. Display the results in the library to highlight the arts and crafts section of the library.

Go to the Scrapkins website at http://www.thescrapkins.com/ for lots more ideas.

Published by Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan on March 29, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

App Review: How to Make Origami

HOW TO MAKE ORIGAMI by Sergey Burlakov is an easy-to-use app demonstrating how to create dozens of origami projects.

The app features patterns in categories including birds, boats, boxes and containers, clothes, flowers, Valentines, and other models. Each project contains a series of easy-to-follow steps. Users are presented with step-by-step instructions presented as text and also visuals. Simple animations show the folding procedure for each step. These animations can be repeated if necessary. The animation speed can also be adjusted.

Perfect for makerspaces, librarians could create a whole station around this app by just providing paper to get students started. Provide students with books for more ideas.

This app is free, but contains ads across the bottom and occasional pop-up ads.

The app developer has other craft apps available including how to quill, make balloon models, how to bead, and how to model clay.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/app/how-to-make-ori…/id472936700….