Tech Lab: Awesome Builds for Smart Makers

by Jack Challoner, Smithsonian Institution (Contributor)

This DK children's book for ages 11-14 is brimming with exciting, educational activities and projects that focus on electronics and technology.

Keep your siblings out of your room with a brilliant bedroom alarm, power a propellor motorboat, make a thermoelectric phone charger, build a set of speakers, and construct a crane by following step-by-step instructions and using affordable equipment. Tech Lab will engage budding scientists and engineers as they experiment, invent, trial, and test technology, electronics, and mechanics at home.

Simple steps with clear photographs take readers through the stages of each low-cost project, with fact-filled panels to explain the science behind each one, and to fascinate them with real-world examples.
With an increasing focus across school curricula on encouraging children to explore STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and maths), Tech Lab is the perfect companion for any inquisitive child with an interest in how the worlds of science experiments and technology work, and why."

Genres: Childrens, Technology, Stem

160 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have loved to have this book when I was a kid. I would have done every project and learned a lot about electrical systems. I like that the book shows you how to read electrical diagrams and has an electrical diagram for all the projects in the reference section. The glossary is also helpful. This would make a great textbook for a short week long class on electronics for kids. The only thing that I didn’t like about the book is that it didn’t provide any information on where to purchase the supplies for each project. When I grew up, there were RadioShacks everywhere, but those are gone and we’re kinda left to fend for ourselves online. It would be nice to have a list of current suppliers and manufacturers included in the reference section of the book. Other than that, if you’re into small electronics projects to do for yourself or with you kids,I recommend it.

[Victoria B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the projects looks a little too complicated for me (I am not a "smart maker"), but its interesting to see how to make things.

Would've been nice if there was a list of recommended places to purchase items from, as I have no clue. (I imagine I could buy most from Amazon, but if doing a project in a group setting, it would be helpful to know where I could get bulk supplies.)

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Challoner for writing this book! I so desperately want to delve into electronics and robotics with my youngest kid, but finding simple and intermediate projects can be so hard! You've done it with this one, and also kind of made my kid's dreams come true with a robotic snake.

[Christiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cool book, but definitely out of the realm of ease for our library tweens. If we end up having older teens who show up, this could be a cool resource.