Junk Drawer Engineering: 25 Construction Challenges That Don't Cost a Thing

by Bobby Mercer

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.

Genres: Science, Childrens

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2017

Reviews

[Juliet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hi-Low
Target Audience: High school

Junk Drawer Engineering is a book that contains 25 "challenges" that you can make with random stuff around the house. Each construction challenge is well laid out and organized in the book. Titles and headings are bold and logically divided into steps that are clearly labelled and numbered. Each step shows at least one picture which increases comprehension of the directions and other text. The sentence structure is clear and to the point, many sentences start with a verb (put, add, try, let). This combined with some Tier II vocabulary (calculate, support, previous) makes it a useful option for increasing the child's vocabulary through the science context and increases access for the older student.

What makes this an interesting choice for a hi-low book is that it is one that can be picked up and thumbed through at any time. Kids can jump around to different challenges if they feel like they don't understand. There are many pictures for each step.

The book is a little small for trying to hold, follow directions, and building. It might be easier to actually build if it had a spiral binding or was a bigger size and could stay open without a prop since kids would need both hands to build and follow instructions. The book is inspiration to kinesthetic learners and proves that being creative and solving problems can be done by anyone with anything.

[Justin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has a good hit/miss ratio in terms of activities. There aren't too many activities, which allows the author to describe/depict them well including information about the science behind the activity.

I have two minor complaints. One, the definition of junk can be stretched a bit. I personally would never have copious amounts of plumbing insulation around and doubt anyone outside of construction would either. My second similar complaint is that I doubt most parents would have an old monitor laying around and even if they did I doubt they'd feel comfortable taking it apart.

All in all a great read for STEM centric parents or parents of kids who are in interested in how things work (isn't that every kid?)

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is super cool

TONS of GREAT ideas! I loved the mint can project, and I'd done the tube challenge before (that's a quick, easy one to start out with)

The structure challenge could be ramped up a bit with some eggs, but it's messy...

Marshmallow structures are always a hit with littles on up

The pasta bridge is great, but harder for kids to do without guidance- glue guns aren't recommnded for kids at home or school

Penny boats were approached differently- I'd never encouraged kids to mold foil around shapes like lids and boxes as these authors had---

I LOVED seeing the plethora of photos

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this compilation of design challenges, with examples of solutions. Some of these challenges I have tried before, but others I had never thought of. Other reviewers have noted that not all of the materials needed are common “junk” that anyone might have, and certainly none of it is really cost free, but I still think it is a great book and I am excited to try out some of these creative experiments.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! I would think most homes have the supplies to make these many fun projects with the kids! Science fair and engineering projects just got easy and inexpensive! Kids and adults alike will enjoy this book. Instructions are clear and easy to follow. Loads of photos.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas but the black and white pictures really diminish the quality. Books like this should have color pictures.

[Lstonemppl.org · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great ideas!!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas, good photos and easy to follow directions.
Cons: small type and all black and white

[Audrey Bowerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has many interesting and fun projects that you can do at home, it also shoews you how you can make the activity fun for all ages of kids

[Robin Pennell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elementary