Finding the best maker lab suitable for your needs isnt easy. With hundreds of choices can distract you. Knowing whats bad and whats good can be something of a minefield. In this article, weve done the hard work for you.
Reviews
1. Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects: Build * Invent * Create * Discover
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Maker Lab 28 Super Cool Projects Build Invent Create DiscoverDescription
As seen on Kim Kardashian's Instagram
Supporting STEAM education initiatives and the Maker Movement, the National Parenting Publication Award-winner Maker Lab includes 28 kid-safe projects and crafts that will get young inventors' wheels turning and make science pure fun.
Each step-by-step activity is appropriate for kids ages 812, and ranked easy, medium, or hard, with an estimated time frame for completion. Requiring only household materials, young makers can build an exploding volcano, race balloon rocket cars, construct a lemon battery, make sticky slime, and more. Photographs and facts carefully detail the "why" and "how" of each experiment using real-world examples to provide context so kids can gain a deeper understanding of the scientific principles applied.
With a foreword by Jack Andraka, a teen award-winning inventor, Maker Lab will help kids find their inner inventor and create winning projects for school projects, science fairs, and beyond.
2. Science Experiments You Can Eat
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With revised and updated material, a brand-new look, and hours of innovative, educational experiments, this science classic by award-winning author Vicki Cobb will be devoured by a whole new generation of readers!
Kids take the reins in the kitchen with this hands-on book of edible science experiments! With contemporary information that reflects changes in the world of processing and preserving foods, this cookbook demonstrates the scientific principles that underpin the chemical reactions we witness every dayjust by cooking. And once readers have tested their theories and completed their experiments, they can feast on the results! From salad dressing to mayonnaise, celery to popcorn, and muffins to meringues, this book uses food to make science accessible to a range of tastes. Also included is essential information on eating healthfully, plus additional resources for further exploration.
3. Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science)
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Maker Media IncDescription
For students, DIY hobbyists, and science buffs, who can no longer get real chemistry sets, this one-of-a-kind guide explains how to set up and use a home chemistry lab, with step-by-step instructions for conducting experiments in basic chemistry -- not just to make pretty colors and stinky smells, but to learn how to do real lab work:
- Purify alcohol by distillation
- Produce hydrogen and oxygen gas by electrolysis
- Smelt metallic copper from copper ore you make yourself
- Analyze the makeup of seawater, bone, and other common substances
- Synthesize oil of wintergreen from aspirin and rayon fiber from paper
- Perform forensics tests for fingerprints, blood, drugs, and poisons
- and much more
From the 1930s through the 1970s, chemistry sets were among the most popular Christmas gifts, selling in the millions. But two decades ago, real chemistry sets began to disappear as manufacturers and retailers became concerned about liability. ,em>The Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments steps up to the plate with lessons on how to equip your home chemistry lab, master laboratory skills, and work safely in your lab. The bulk of this book consists of 17 hands-on chapters that include multiple laboratory sessions on the following topics:
- Separating Mixtures
- Solubility and Solutions
- Colligative Properties of Solutions
- Introduction to Chemical Reactions & Stoichiometry
- Reduction-Oxidation (Redox) Reactions
- Acid-Base Chemistry
- Chemical Kinetics
- Chemical Equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle
- Gas Chemistry
- Thermochemistry and Calorimetry
- Electrochemistry
- Photochemistry
- Colloids and Suspensions
- Qualitative Analysis
- Quantitative Analysis
- Synthesis of Useful Compounds
- Forensic Chemistry
This hands-on introduction to real chemistry -- using real equipment, real chemicals, and real quantitative experiments -- is ideal for the many thousands of young people and adults who want to experience the magic of chemistry.
4. 20 Makey Makey Projects for the Evil Genius
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20 Makey Makey Projects for the Evil GeniusDescription
20 fun and inventive Makey Makey projects for Makers from beginner to expert
This hands-on guide is filled with DIY projects that show readers, step-by-step, howto start creating and making cool inventions with the Makey Makey invention kit. Each project features easy-to-follow, fully-illustrated instructions and detailed photographs of the finished gadget. Readers will see how to apply these skills and start building their own Makey Makey projects.
20 Makey Makey Projects for the Evil Geniusstarts off with very approachable introductory projects, making it a great starting point for beginners. It then builds to more challenging projects, allowing more experienced users to go further by incorporating technologies like Raspberry Pi, Processing and Scratch programming, 3D Printing, and creating wearable electronics with Makey Makey. Projects are divided into four categories: Fun and Games, Interactive, Hacks and Pranks, and Makey Makey Go.
No prior programming or technical experience is required
Basic enough for beginners, but challenging enough for advanced makers
Written by two educators who believe in fostering creative innovation for all
5. The Annotated Build-It-Yourself Science Laboratory: Build Over 200 Pieces of Science Equipment! (Make)
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The Annotated Build It Yourself Science Laboratory Build Over 200 Pieces of Science Equipment MakeDescription
Raymond E. Barrett's Build-It-Yourself Science Laboratory is a classic book that took on an audacious task: to show young readers in the 1960s how to build a complete working science lab for chemistry, biology, and physics--and how to perform experiments with those tools. The experiments in this book are fearless and bold by today's standards--any number of the experiments might never be mentioned in a modern book for young readers! Yet, many from previous generations fondly remember how we as a society used to embrace scientific learning.
This new version of Barrett's book has been updated for today's world with annotations and updates from Windell Oskay of Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories, including extensive notes about modern safety practices, suggestions on where to find the parts you need, and tips for building upon Barrett's ideas with modern technology. With this book, you'll be ready to take on your own scientific explorations at school, work, or home.
6. Rubber Band Engineer: Build Slingshot Powered Rockets, Rubber Band Rifles, Unconventional Catapults, and More Guerrilla Gadgets from Household Hardware
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Rubber Band Engineer Build Slingshot Powered Rockets Rubber Band Rifles Unconventional Catapults and More Guerrilla Gadgets from HousehoDescription
You don't have to be a genius to create these ingenious contraptions, you just need rubber bands, glue, paperclips, andRubber Band Engineer, of course.
Shooting far, flying high, and delivering way more exciting results than expected are the goals of the gadgets in Rubber Band Engineer. Discover unexpected ways to turn common materials into crafty contraptions that range from surprisingly simple to curiously complex.
In vivid color photos, you'll be guided on how to create slingshot rockets, unique catapults, and even hydraulic-powered machines. Whether you build one or all 19 of these designs, you'll feel like an ingenious engineer when you're through. Best of all, you don't need to be an experienced tinkerer to make any of the projects!All you need are household tools and materials, such as paper clips, pencils, paint stirrers, and ice pop sticks.
Oh, and rubber bands. Lots of rubber bands.
Grab your glue gun, pull out your pliers, track down your tape, and get started on the challenging, fun, and rewarding journey toward becoming a rubber band engineer.
7. STEAM Kids: 50+ Science / Technology / Engineering / Art / Math Hands-On Projects for Kids
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A year's worth of captivating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math) activities that will wow the boredom right out of kids! Created by an MIT engineer, award winning educators, designers, and homeschooling experts, STEAM Kids will inspire your children to: question like a scientist design like a technologist build like an engineer create like an artist deduce like a mathematician and, most importantly play like a kid! Inside you'll find entertaining and educational projects like: - Rainbow Reactions - PVC Pipe Slingshot - Grafitti Art & Science - Color Changing Play Dough - Diaper Science - Circuit Bugs - Candy Mazes & so much more! Perfect for children ages 4-10, all the step-by-step activities are helpfully coded with difficulty indicators and estimated project times. Helpful project extensions promote further exploration and learning for enthusiastic children. Bonus materials will make things easy for parents and educators, and include: a handy weekly planning guide, project shopping lists, STEAM journal and more. So gather up your curious kids and get your STEAM on!8. The Big Book of Makerspace Projects: Inspiring Makers to Experiment, Create, and Learn
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The Big Book of Makerspace Projects Inspiring Makers to Experiment Create and LearnDescription
Start-to-finish, fun projects for makers of all types, ages, and skill levels!
This easy-to-follow guide features dozens of DIY, low-cost projects that will arm you with the skills necessary to dream up and build your own creations. The Big Book of Makerspace Projects: Inspiring Makers to Experiment, Create, and Learn offers practical tips for beginners and open-ended challenges for advanced makers. Each project features non-technical, step-by-step instructions with photos and illustrations to ensure success and expand your imagination. You will learn recyclables hacks, smartphone tweaks, paper circuits, e-textiles, musical instruments, coding and programming, 3-D printing, and much, much more!
Discover how to create:
Brushbot warriors, scribble machines, and balloon hovercrafts
Smartphone illusions, holograms, and projections
Paper circuits, origami, greeting cards, and pop-ups
Dodgeball, mazes, and other interesting Scratch games
Organs, guitars, and percussion instruments
Sewed LED bracelets, art cuffs, and Arduino stuffie
Makey Makey and littleBits gadgets
Programs for plug-and-play and Bluetooth-enabled robots
3D design and printing projects and enhancements
9. Make: Paper Inventions: Machines that Move, Drawings that Light Up, and Wearables and Structures You Can Cut, Fold, and Roll
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Make Paper Inventions Machines that Move Drawings that Light Up and Wearables and Structures You Can Cut Fold and RollDescription
Paper is incredible stuff. It's easy to cut, but incredibly strong. It's disposable, but can last for centuries. It can stand as stiff as a board, pop up like a spring, or float like a leaf. And its invention changed the world forever.
Perfect for kids, parents, and educators, Paper Inventions is a project-based book with full color illustrations, step-by-step instructions, supply lists, and templates that allow you to follow along with the book or devise something entirely new. Each chapter features new projects that will challenge and intrigue everyone, from beginning to experienced Makers.
In this book, you'll learn to make:
- A light-up paper cat that shows how switches and sensors work
- An action origami robot worm
- Edible rice paper perfect for secret messages
- A space rover that moves thanks to paper machinery
- A paper generator that creates electricity when you tap or rub it
- Heat-activated paper models that fold themselves
- A geodesic dome big enough to crawl into--from newspaper!
10. Maker Lab: Outdoors: 25 Super Cool Projects
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Twenty-eight science projects and experiments to be done outside will spark kids' creativity and help them develop science skills through hands-on learning.Projects focus on Earth and the environment, plants and animals, rocks and minerals, and space, bringing science learning home and into the backyard. Young scientists can make a cave system and find out about underground rivers, construct a working model of tectonic plates and learn about earthquakes, build a telescope and look to the planets and stars, and more.
Supporting STEAM education initiatives and the Maker Movement, Maker Lab: Outdoors includes 28 interactive projects to inspire kids' creativity and their scientific side, and, as the founder of Maker Faire Dale Dougherty says, "to realize with their hands what they can imagine in their minds."
With stunning photography, succinct step-by-step instructions, and detailed explanations, Maker Lab: Outdoors takes readers on a journey of discovery. A must-have for every young scientist curious about their surroundings, and for makers, crafters, and those who enjoy exploring the outdoors.
11. Star Wars Maker Lab
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Ever wanted to move things without touching them like a Jedi can? Or grow your own kyber crystal? Or maybe explode a balloon with a beam of energy, just like the Death Star? Now you can!
With 20 amazing projects, Star Wars Maker Lab teaches your budding Padawan how to become a Master of science, in both the real world and the Star Wars galaxy. Using clear step-by-step instructions, the book guides home scientists and makers through each exciting experimentfrom making Jabba's gooey slime or a hovering landspeeder, to an Ewok catapult and a glowing Gungan Globe of Peace. Each experiment has fact-filled panels to explain the real-world science as well as the Star Wars science fiction from the movies.
With projects that are out of this world, this fantastic Star Wars book can keep children entertained for hours, making use of many household items such as cardboard tubes, baking soda, cornstarch, straws, balloons, and food coloring. There is also plenty to keep more adventurous scientists enthralled, with instructions to make your own bristlebot mouse droid, lightsaber duel, and Mustafar volcano. Star Wars Maker Lab supports STREAM topics and helps children to learn the basics of science by traveling through the Star Wars galaxy. May the (static) Force be with you!
& TM 2017 LUCASFILM LTD. Used Under Authorization.
12. 50 Maker Labs (Volume 1)
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50 Maker Labs does what no other STEM or STEAM book does: It gives you activities tied to a different STEM-related careers. Each of the 50 activities included has a unique career attached to it, like Radiologist, Sports Medicine, Optician, Robotic Engineer, Aerospace Engineer, Astronaut, Forester, or Landscaping Architect!Each activity is perfect for a science lab or makerspace. They're great in the classroom, daycare, science camps, interactive media centers, library, or science labs.
Each of the 50 Maker Labs comes with a career idea, an open-ended task, and materials lists. Also get over 20 pages of forms, reflections sheets, and reusable worksheets you can use to help learners get the most out of their experiences. Also, because teachers always need some stuff for bulletin boards, posters have been included!