Steam Lab for Kids - by Liz Lee Heinecke (Paperback)

About the Book

STEAM Lab for Kids is a fun and interactive introduction to Science, Technology, Energy, Art, and Math for the whole family.

Book Synopsis

STEAM Lab for Kids is an art-forward doorway to science, math, technology, and engineering through 52 family-friendly experiments and activities.

While many aspiring artists don't necessarily identify with STEM subjects, and many young inventors don't see the need for art, one is essential to the other. Revealing this connection and encouraging kids to explore it fills hungry minds with tools essential to problem solving and creative thinking.

Each of the projects in this book is designed to demonstrate that the deeper you look into art, the more engineering and math you'll find.

Following clear, photo-illustrated step-by-step instructions, learn about:

• Angular momentum by creating tie-dyed fidget spinners.
• Electrical conductors by making a light-up graphite-circuit comic book.
• Kinetic energy by constructing a rubber-band racer car.
• Parabolic curves by creating string art with pushpins and a board.
• Symmetry by making fruit and veggie stamp paintings.
• And much more!

Along with the creative, hands-on activities, you'll find:

• Suggestions for taking your projects to the next level with "Creative Enrichment."
• Accessible explanations of the "The STEAM Behind the Fun," including cross-disciplinary related topics.
• Safety tips and hints.

The projects can be used as part of a homeschool curriculum, for family fun, at parties, or as educational activities for groups. Many of the activities are safe enough for children as young as toddlers and exciting enough for older kids, so families can discover the joy of STEAM together.

The popular Lab for Kids series features a growing list of books that share hands-on activities and projects on a wide host of topics, including art, astronomy, clay, geology, math, and even how to create your own circus--all authored by established experts in their fields.

Each lab contains a complete materials list, clear step-by-step photographs of the process, as well as finished samples. The labs can be used as singular projects or as part of a yearlong curriculum of experiential learning. The activities are open-ended, designed to be explored over and over, often with different results. Geared toward being taught or guided by adults, they are enriching for a range of ages and skill levels.

Gain firsthand knowledge on your favorite topic with Lab for Kids.

Review Quotes

A 2019 Children's Choices list selection--A cooperative project of the International Literacy Association and the Children's Book Council

Liz Heinecke's STEAM Lab for Kids is one of the best tools I have ever encountered for teaching relationships between STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and the arts. The projects are fun, exciting, and engaging. From safety tips and hits to clear step-by-step instructions and materials lists, this book makes STEAM fun and user-friendly. The products of the hands-on labs are absolutely beautiful - these could easily be used as gifts for family and friends! Sure to inspire any young scientist, the short explanations of "the STEAM behind the fun" and "creative enrichment" for each lab are wonderful additions. Also, I am pleased to see photos of a diverse group of children sharing their joy in doing the labs; I cannot express the value that such a consideration brings. As a scientist, I am thrilled to see the many STEM concepts that I use on a daily basis integrated so creatively with art using materials that are around the house or at local craft and tool stores. I want to try all 52 with my son! I cannot wait to use these labs for my future science outreach.

--#BLACKandSTEM founder, Stephani Page, PhD

If you have little ones with hands (and brains) that need to keep busy, be sure to check this out!--Joanne Loves Science

Its an amazing book filled with incredible at home experiments, activities, art projects and much more all geared toward making science and math so fun that your kids don't even realize they are learning! --My Crafty Zoo

Liz makes science accessible and fun.--Elizabeth Ries, host of Twin Cities Live

Liz Heinecke is a genius at making learning fun at every level. Her fascination with the natural world and science in general is contagious.--Kim Insley, KARE 11 Sunrise Anchor

Liz Heinecke's books would have been perfect for me when I was a kid: I grew up with an intense scientific curiosity about the natural world around me and the chemical world underlying it. Her home-brewed experiments would have captivated me. Now as the father of a 10-year-old "kitchen pantry scientist" and slime-maker, I appreciate Heinecke's work all the more. Busting boredom is excellent in itself, but making a kid feel like a scientist while they're having fun - that's brilliant.--Dan Wilson, singer and songwriter of Closing Time, Not Ready to Make Nice, & Someone like You

Such a FUN book, like all the lab books from Liz! I love that my 11 year old can do most of these experiments with no help, and the rest are just mild supervision (Safety Tips and hints are included on all of the labs)!--Bless Their Hearts Mom

The book is enthusiastic about inspiring problem solving and creative thinking, and helping artists and engineer-minded kids alike to find inspiration in STEM projects.--Sprittibee

The Kitchen Pantry Scientist and microbiologist mom has another winning book on her hands. With the help of a diverse cast of kids, Liz walks the reader through loads of fun activities using simple household supplies that build science, math, engineering, art, and technology skills.--Kim Moldofsky, publisher of TheMakerMom.com

There are so many cool experiments [...] expanding beyond the engineering into the arts--WCCO-CBS Minnesota

Whether you've got a mini engineer at home or a pint-sized Picasso, this new book of hands-on activities is the perfect intersection of both art and science and will pique the interests of kids who love either. --Red Tricycle

About the Author

Liz Lee Heinecke has loved science since she was old enough to inspect her first butterfly. After working in molecular biology research for 10 years and earning her master's degree, she left the lab to kick off a new chapter in her life as a stay-at-home mom. Soon, she found herself sharing her love of science with her three kids as they grew, chronicling their science adventures on her KitchenPantryScientist website. Her desire to share her enthusiasm for science led to regular television appearances, an opportunity to serve as an Earth Ambassador for NASA, and the creation of an iPhone app. Her goal is to make it simple for parents to do science with kids of all ages, and for kids to experiment safely on their own. Liz graduated from Luther College and received her master's degree in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She is the author of Kitchen Science Lab for Kids, Kitchen Science Lab for Kids: Edible Edition, Outdoor Science Lab for Kids, STEAM Lab for Kids, Sheet Pan Science, and Little Learning Labs: Kitchen Science for Kids. Her namesake series, The Kitchen Pantry Scientist, pairs illustrated biographies with engaging hands-on activities inspired by their work. The books in that series include: Chemistry for Kids, Biology for Kids, Physics for Kids, Math for Kids, and Ecology for Kids.