Maker Comics: Conduct a Science Experiment!

Maker Comics

by Der-shing Helmer, Andrea Bell (Illustrations)

Inside Maker Conduct a Science Experiment! , the latest volume of First Second's DIY graphic novel series, you'll find step-by-step instructions for six STEM projects.

Reed’s moms are about to leave for a summer trip, and he can’t wait to spend his break playing games and making videos with his friends. But it turns out that after a year of suffering science grades, Reed’s parents have called in his big sister, Olive, who’s come home from college to help him out.

At first, Reed’s furious to have to swap his internet time for summer school, but it turns out that science is more than just memorizing facts from books. Olive’s planned a jam-packed week of hands-on experiments, and bit by bit Reed has to admit that science can be kind of cool.

Genres: Science, Graphic Novels, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

Published December 14, 2021

About the author

Hi, I draw comics and put them on the internet for people to read. Sometimes I put the drawings on paper so people who are not on the internet can also read them. I live near San Diego, CA, and I am excited to make more comics for everyone.

Thanks for reading my stuff!

Reviews

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny and accessible introduction to scientific experimentation for kids. I was pleasantly surprised by the emotional resonance of the sibling relationship of the two main characters.A handful of fun and easy household experiments that can be replicated by readers really make this useful as a springboard for young scientists.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reed is stuck home with his college-age sister while his mom goes on vacation with her friend. And worst of all, his internet is being turned off and Olive is going to make him do science experiments with her all week. He just knows it is going to be awful. But Olive and her science experiments just may surprise Reed.

I like the variety of very accessible science experiments that Olive has Reed do. None of them require any super special ingredients or equipment (strawberries or rubbing alcohol might be the hardest to get your hands on, if that helps show how common the ingredients used are), so most readers should be able to follow along and do most of the experiments too. Solid science bits about friction, biological macromolecules, ecology, and astronomy are covered as the two do the experiments. None of it should be too hard for middle grade readers to grasp. A very nice educational graphic novel that will help kids unplug not just by reading, but giving them activity ideas as well.

Notes on content [based on the ARC]: No language issues beyond a brother calling a sister stupid (he later apologizes). No sexual content. It is not stated whether their mom’s female friend who seems to live with them is a partner or not. No violence.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Hanii Aburame · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's blow things up!
4 1/2 stars*

I am completely joking with that title, lol. All of the experiments in this book are safe for kids and adults alike, no super-duper scientific knowledge is necessary, and they all look pretty fun too! As of writing this I have not conducted any of the experiments myself, however, I have written down all the directions to conduct my own!

The art is cute and details the scientific explanations well, but not so much as to bog down the story with intricate drawings. The science was not lost in the dialog either, the narration of the big sister teaching the little brother kept things from getting boring as it was like a friend telling you what to do versus a textbook.

I also really liked the sub context of the interpersonal relationship between the brother and sister, their friction and love for one another felt organic, and the mundaneness of their every day life was a nice break from the science.

I definitely recommend this if you have a kiddo interested in science, or comic books, as this book is a great way to get any kid interested in science and get hands on experience with it.

Check out my bookstagram! @Witchy_Bookish_Otaku

[Clarissa Blakely · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sister helps her brother raise his grades in science over the summer before school starts while their parents are on vacation. During this time she walks him through many challenging and interesting experiments that teach him about several faucets of science. This was a good guide for kids who are interested in science. It would most likely be better to do the science experiments while reading the book to physically see the experiment and thus better understanding it but reading about it and see the pictures along with a fun little story is better than a boring textbook with black and white photos here and there. I will say that there was a few words, phrases, and elements thrown in that were hilarious to me. I thought to myself... this is how millennials or Gen X see Gen Zers and Generation Alpha.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Rachel { dazai’s version } 🐾 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learn to conduct science experiments!

[Meredith Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

https://noflyingnotights.com/blog/202...