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Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future with 20 Projects by Kathy Ceceri — book cover

Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future with 20 Projects

by Kathy Ceceri, Sam Carbaugh (Illustrator)
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Overview

This fun and educational introduction to the exciting field of robotics—the science of designing, building, and operating robots—gives kids the basic tools for creating their own robots using ordinary craft materials and parts salvaged from recycled toys and other household devices. Early chapters teach budding roboticists how to create working models of robot hands and write “pencil and paper” computer programs, while later chapters show them how to build robots that move and react to light or touch. A great gateway to getting kids interested in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math), the activities in this book let kids use all their talents to come up with creative solutions to tricky problems and figure out how things work.

Synopsis

Once, robots were only found in science fiction books and movies. Today, robots are everywhere! They assemble massive cars and tiny computer chips. They help doctors do delicate surgery. They vacuum our houses and mow our lawns. Robot toys play with us, follow our commands, and respond to our moods. We even send robots to explore the depths of the ocean and the expanse of space. In Robotics, children ages 9 and up learn how robots affect both the present and the future, as well as the science and technology behind these fascinating creations. Hands-on activities make learning both fun and lasting.

Robotics meets common core state standards in language arts for reading informational text and literary nonfiction and is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Guided Reading Levels and Lexile measurements indicate grade level and text complexity.

About the Author, Kathy Ceceri

Kathryn Ceceri teaches history, science, and art enrichment classes for elementary and middle school students and is a columnist for Home Education Magazine. Her crafts and articles have appeared in Child, FamilyFun, and Sesame Street Parents and online at Wired.com. She is the author of Around the World Crafts, Discover the Desert, The Silk Road, and World Myths and Legends. She lives in Schuylerville, New York. Sam Carbaugh is the illustrator of Amazing Math Projects You Can Build Yourself, Discover the Desert, Food: 25 Amazing Projects, and George Washington: 25 Great Projects You Can Build Yourself. He lives in White River Junction, Vermont.

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Editorials

From the Publisher

"I am very much impressed with this book. It is imaginative and, despite being written for children, not at all 'dumbed down.' Full of interesting information presented in ways that are certain to stir the imagination of its intended audience, features such as 'Words to know,' 'Make your own,' and 'Fascinating Facts' all add to the effectiveness of the presentation."  —Al Dien, Professor of Chinese, Emeritus, Stanford University, presenter, Along the Silk Road, interactive workshop for middle school teachers

"If you've got a child who is a robot fanatic, you must grab a copy of this book. Over a dozen hands-on projects and easy-to-understand technical explanations are going to make it a hit with teachers and parents and a must-have for kids." —James Floyd Kelly, author, LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT-G Programming Guide

"Kathy Ceceri has packed this readable book with tons of information to inspire kids to pursue robots. The activities are creative and will prepare kids to build robots. For children too young to program computers and do soldering, this is the book to whet their appetite for robotics." —Ed Sobey, PhD, author, The Way Toys Work and Unscrewed, cofounder of Kids Invent!

"These exciting, bite-sized science experiments will catapult young readers into the world of robotics." —Daniel H. Wilson, PhD., author of Robopocalypse

"Light in tone but dense with information, this guide should appeal to those who already have a strong interest in the topic and are ready for a hands-on challenge." —Publishers Weekly (July 9, 2012)

"Provides an excellent foundation for understanding what robots are and how they work." —www.5MinutesForBooks.com

Publishers Weekly

Ceceri’s cartoon-illustrated activity book, an addition to the Build It Yourself series, introduces readers to robotics, with information on its history, different robot technologies, and the evolution of the field. Readers are invited to construct their own basic robots, including a pressure sensor that uses an LED light bulb, a watch battery, and aluminum foil; and a model solenoid (used in devices like car door locks), which requires a battery, insulated wire, drinking straws, and other materials. Light in tone but dense with information, this guide should appeal to those who already have a strong interest in the topic and are ready for a hands-on challenge. Ages 9–12. (Aug.)

Children's Literature - Amy S. Hansen

Part of the "Build It Yourself" series, Ceceri provides a history and current uses of robots, twenty fairly easy hands-on experiments, and technical discussion of how robots are put together. While this sounds like too much, her narration is clear, concise and interesting. In a section about robots' size and shape she discusses Sprint, a robot designed to fly outside the space station and take pictures. "It was shaped like an oversized soccer ball and covered with soft padding. The padding protected the ship and the astronauts from injury as Sprint floated weightlessly around them in space." I like the image of a giant soccer ball, and I'm also fond of the RoboTuna, that yes, is shaped like a real tuna. My favorite parts of these books, though, are the hands-on projects. I applaud Ceceri for going beyond vibrobot, though those look fun, and including a robotic arm with a discussion of degrees of freedom and simple programming. Backmatter includes a glossary, list of resources, and index. Reviewer: Amy S. Hansen

Book Details

Published
August 1, 2012
Publisher
Nomad Press
Pages
128
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9781936749768

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