# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Artist's conception of Earth's solar system (not to scale).

Credit: NASA/JPL

A good book about space can feed a kid's obsession or inspire a brand new interest in exploring the wonders of the universe. If you're hoping for a holiday gift, you're in the right place: Here are Space.com writers' and editors' suggestions of great books about space exploration and space science for kids.

(We are constantly reading new and classic space books to find our favorite takes on the universe. Our recently-read books in all categories can be found at Best Space Books. You can see our ongoing Space Books coverage here.)

By Oliver Jeffers

Age range: 3-7

"Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth," the latest picture book by bestselling author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers, is many different things. It's a love letter to his newborn son. It's a toddler-friendly guide to the big, blue marble we call home. Or, as Jeffers' editor joked, it's a book for "new babies, new parents and misplaced humans." But most of all, it's a manual for how to be a standup human being, one who is tolerant, respectful and unfailingly kind.

Jeffers's jewel-toned renderings, liberally sprinkled with details that invite closer inspection, evoke the planet's immensity with warmth and gentility. Yet for all its enormity - at least, from our vantage point - Earth barely registers in the vast expanse of space. We are impossibly fragile. And, for better or worse, we're all in it together.

"We may all look different, act different and sound different ... but don't be fooled, we are all people," Jeffers writes. "There is enough for everyone." ~Jasmin Malik Chua

Read a discussion with the author on the book's inspiration here.

By Seth Fishman, Illustrated by Isabel Greenberg

Age range: 4-8

In "A Hundred Billion Trillion Stars," Seth Fishman Tackles the numbers that permeate everything around us. Not just any numbers, mind you, but enormous numbers. Gigantic, mind-bogglingly tremendous whoppers of numbers. Numbers that the human mind can scarcely comprehend.

Accompanied by delightful illustrations by Isabel Greenberg, Fishman makes infinitesimal figures like the number of seconds in a year (31,536,000), the distance between the Earth and the moon (240,000 miles), and how many people go shoulder-to-shoulder every day on our big blue marble (7,500,000,000) relatable to the four-to-eight age group.

"A child isn't necessarily going to get the number of raindrops in a thunderstorm (1,620, 000,000,000,000)," Fishman said, "but maybe it'll help them connect with what the word 'trillion' means because they know what a thunderstorm looks like." He also throws in fun facts that pint-size readers will take delight in. Who knew that a great white shark has about 300 teeth? Or that we might eat up to 70 pounds of bugs in our lifetime? Fishman's numbers will thrill, amaze, and elucidate. ~Jasmin Malik Chua

Read an interview with the author here.

By Dean Robbins, Illustrated by Lucy Knisley

Age range: 4-8

In "Margaret and the Moon: How Margaret Hamilton Saved the First Lunar Landing," Dean Robbins outlines the pioneering software engineer's life, from the backyard of her childhood home, where she posed a million questions about the night sky, to the hallways of NASA, where she led a team from MIT to develop the onboard flight software that would land the first men on the moon. When an accident threatened to abort the Apollo 11 moon landing, Hamilton swooped in to save the day with her smarts and preparation. At a time when women were expected to stay in the home and raise children, Hamilton's role in the Apollo program was "revelatory," according to Robbins. He said he hopes his young readers will find a strong role model in Hamilton, who solved problems large and small with creativity and fearlessness. "In my wildest dreams, readers of 'Margaret and the Moon' will grow up to make the next great breakthroughs in whatever they choose to do," he said. ~Jasmin Malik Chua

Read an interview with the book's author here.

By Joe Rao, Illustrated by Mark Borgions

Age range: 6-8

For first through third graders who are curious about the night sky, Joe Rao's fact-filled early-reader chapter book will satisfy basic questions about the sun and the moon, the stars, the planets, comets and meteors in an engaging, age-appropriate manner. The centerpiece of the primer, however, is the section on the total solar eclipse that will take place across the United States on Aug. 21, 2017. Rao debunks the notion that viewing an eclipse at the moment of totality - that is, the few minutes when the sun is fully engulfed by the moon - is harmful to the naked eye. Once the sun is totally covered, you can look and "be amazed at one of Mother Nature's most spectacular sights," he writes. But turn away once the sun starts peeking out lest you be blinded, or use one of the safe viewing techniques he recommends to continue observing the spectacle. ~Jasmin Malik Chua

Read Space.com's interview with Rao about the book here.

By Chris Hadfield, Illustrated by the Fan Brothers

Age range: 4-8

Retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield has flown three space missions, commanded the International Space Station and traveled the world speaking about what it's like to fly in space. But before that, he was a young child afraid of the dark while dreaming of exploring the moon. The story of his struggle with that fear is gorgeously illustrated by Terry and Eric Fan, known as the Fan Brothers, who tuck little, menacing aliens into the shadows young Chris's bedroom, and an about-the-author page at the end describes his path to becoming an astronaut for readers who might share that dream. ~Sarah Lewin

Space.com talked with Chris Hadfield about his hopes for the new book here.

By Rob Lloyd Jones, Illustrated by Benedetta Giaufret and Enrica Rusiná

Age range: 3 and up

For parents of young kids (I am one such parent), Usborne's prizewinning "Look Inside Space" is a must-have to share the history and wild technology of space exploration with starry-eyed tots. The book uses cute illustrations and more than 70 artfully arranged flaps to explore the history of human spaceflight and the basics of stars, planets and other astronomical objects. "Look Inside Space" has a rugged cover (to withstand toddler tantrums), but care must be taken with some its more delicate nested flaps. It is enjoyable to all space fans, but is especially good for pre-school and Kindergarten-age kids just starting out to explore space on their own. ~ Tariq Malik

By Margaret A. Weitekamp, with David DeVorkin, Illustrated by Diane Kidd

Age range: 6 and up

If you're like me, there's a special place in your heart for Pluto, be it a planet or a dwarf planet. In "Pluto's Secret: An Icy World's Tale of Discovery," authors Margaret A. Weitekamp and David DeVorkin take young readers on a guided tour of astronomer Clyde Tombaugh's historic sighting of Pluto in 1930 to the planet's reclassification to a dwarf planet in 2006, with Kidd's entertaining illustrations leading the way. How did Pluto get its name? It's in there. What exactly is a planet? This book has it covered. Even NASA's New Horizons spacecraft, which visits Pluto in 2015, makes a cameo. For the older set, a kicker photo spread on the people and telescopes, as well as a Pluto glossary, make this book an essential for budding astronomers but may be best for kids age 8 and up. ~Tariq Malik

By Catherine Hughes and David Aguilar

Age range: 4-8

This book, by Catherine Hughes and David Aguilar, is a great way to introduce young children to Earth, the solar system and beyond. It features gorgeous images - both photographs and illustrations - and explains tough concepts (such as black holes) in simple, easy-to-understand text. There are also some great tips at the back of the book about how to spark or further kids' interest in space science and exploration. ~Mike Wall

By Drew Brockington

Age range: 7-10

Blast off on a space adventure with the most adorable space travelers in the cosmos: the CatStronauts! The graphic novel series tells the story of some incredible spacefaring felines - Major Meowser, Pom Pom, Blanket and Waffles - as they venture to the moon, Mars and beyond. In "Mission Moon," the gang solves a global energy crisis by building a solar power plant on the moon. In the second book, "Race to Mars," they blast off again in an attempt to beat the CosmoCats to the Red Planet. ~Hanneke Weitering

Space.com spoke with Drew Brockington about his CatStronauts books here. Check out excerpts from "Mission Moon" here.

By Jeffrey Bennett, Nick Schneider and Erica Ellingson, Illustrated by Michael Carroll

Age range: 7 and up

In the updated edition of "Max Goes to Jupiter" (Big Kid Science, 2018), written by Jeffrey Bennett, Nick Schneider and Erica Ellingson and illustrated by Michael Carroll, the grandpuppy of the original Max from "Max Goes to the Moon" (Big Kid Science, originally published 2003, updated in 2013) and "Max Goes to Mars" (Big Kid Science, originally published 2006, updated in 2015) steps into his namesake's space boots, both literally and figuratively.

Tori, the little girl from the moon and Mars books, is all grown up and leading the first manned mission to the king of the planets as its chief scientist. And little Max, who grew up listening to stories of his grandpa's galactic adventures, is going along for the ride. While he's a bigger scamp than his forebear was, his playful instincts ultimately stand the crew in good stead. Max, just like in the original 2008 edition of the book, is a good boy.

The "big kid boxes," sidebars that present behind-the-scenes concepts that the story introduces, have been revised to accommodate findings from NASA's Juno mission in 2016. But the book overall is set to give kids of any age an appreciation of science and exploration. ~Jasmin Malik Chua

Read more about "Max Goes to Jupiter" and get a sneak peek of its pages here.

By Leland Melvin

Age Range: 8-12

This astronaut's memoir tells a truly inspiring story of how one unsuspecting football player from a small town in rural Virginia wound up flying in the Space Shuttle Atlantis on missions to the International Space Station. Leland Melvin started his career playing professional football in the NFL, but when an injury prevented him from playing, he went to school to become an engineer. It wasn't until a recruiter from NASA grabbed his arm at a career fair that Melvin realized he could be an astronaut. He has since retired from the astronaut corps and now he dedicates his time to helping young women and minorities get involved in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) so they can realize and live up to their full potential.

This young readers' version of Melvin's book is adapted to be a shorter and easier read than the adult book. It includes 16 pages of color photographs and three do-it-yourself experiments for kids to learn how to build small rockets and study the chemistry of candy. ~Hanneke Weitering

Space.com spoke with Leland Melvin about his incredible life story and work to make STEAM more diverse and inclusive here.

By Tam O'Shaughnessy

Age range: 10-14

Sally Ride is celebrated as the first American woman to fly in space, and she made her mark later in life as a science writer and STEM popularizer before her death at 61 - but before that, she was a young tennis star and a college student aiming to be a professor. This kids' photobiography, written by Ride's long-term partner Tam O'Shaughnessy, brings all those eras into vivid focus with extensive photographs and tidbits placed through an engaging narrative of her life. Aspiring astronauts and young space fans will enjoy the look into Ride's personality and growth as well as the space travel facts and figures, and for adults too this book offers a rare look at the famously private astronaut's life from someone who knew her better than anyone. ( Read a Q&A here with author Tam O'Shaughnessy and see a few pages from the narrative.) ~Sarah Lewin

By Buzz Aldrin, with Marianne J. Dyson

Age range: 8-12

Kids can hop aboard the first expedition to Mars in this new book by astronaut Buzz Aldrin, written with author, physicist and former NASA flight controller Marianne Dyson. Aldrin's tale about a trip on the "Aldrin Cycler" spaceship to Mars covers the history of Mars exploration, the steps needed to get there and the process of building out from the first tentative toehold to a permanent colony on the planet. It's full of countless specific details - exactly what the first explorers will and won't need to bring along, the best and most entertaining modes of transportation once there and exactly why the first habitats will be round and bubble-like, to name a (very) few. The book is also peppered with hands-on activities to demonstrate aspects of the journey and the planet's conditions. This book is not Aldrin's first proposing a mission to Mars, but this one is carefully calibrated to get young, curious children excited about the prospect. (Read more about the new book here) ~Sarah Lewin

By Jeffrey Bennett, Illustrations by Michael Carroll

Age range: All ages

How many children's books can you honestly say have been to space? Jeffrey Bennett's tale (Get it? It's about a dog) about a dog called Max and his adventures to the International Space Station is not only an accurate look at what life in space is like - it actually joined the station's library in 2014 as part of the Story Time from Space project. With illustrations by famed space artist Michael Carroll, "Max Goes to the Space Station" takes the titular pooch on a voyage to the station by way of NASA's Johnson Space Center and Kennedy Space Center, with readers learning all sorts of fun facts about spaceships, the space station and life in weightlessness on the way. Max even helps the station crew through an emergency. The book is great for kids of all ages, and includes "Big Kid Boxes" on the science of space for older kids age 8 and up. Bennett has also written " Max Goes to the Moon" (another space traveler) and tales that send Max to Mars and Jupiter. ~Tariq Malik

By Dave Goldberg

Age Range: 10 and up

"A User's Guide to the Universe" may be one of the most entertaining science books I've ever read. Overflowing with jokes, cartoons and a general sense of silliness, the book is a 5th- or 6th-grade-appropriate introduction to fascinating topics like time travel, life on other planets and the Big Bang. Hitting that oh-so-hard-to-reach sweet spot between entertaining and educational, the book offers up a surprising amount of science and never condescends to its audience. It's the perfect book for kids who are curious about big questions, but I'm betting it will also serve as a great resource for adults who want a fun and easy introduction to the science of the universe. ~Calla Cofield

Don't see your favorite space book on this list? Let us know in the comments below!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A good book about space can feed a kid's obsession or inspire a brand new interest in exploring the wonders of the universe. If you're hoping for a holiday gift, you're in the right place: Here are Space.com writers' and editors' suggestions of great books about space exploration and space science for kids.

# data[].attributes.body
Story and activities

# data[].attributes.body
7 Book series https://www.amazon.com/What-You-Animal-Parts-Book/dp/1338559052

Creating animal ears
https://www.instructables.com/faux-fur-animal-ears/

You can create a mix and match animal choosing 1 animal from each book to create the parts from.

How can you create an animal with the best of all senses and defenses?

# data[].attributes.headline
Children's books to celebrate Black culture

# data[].attributes.subject
Children's books to celebrate Black culture

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Children's Books to Celebrate Black Culture | Parenting Tips & Advice | PBS KIDS for Parents

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The following are some of our favorite books to celebrate African American history, culture and experiences.

# data[].attributes.headline
Finding appropriate books on Native Culture

# data[].attributes.subject
Finding appropriate books on Native Culture

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
American Indians in Children's Literature (AICL)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Designed to help readers develop a critical eye about representations of American Indians in children's and young adult books

# data[].attributes.body
From Seed to Plant

As you read the book sletchnote the steps in the life cycle of plants.

Sketchnoting for kids: https://youtu.be/zNJyuJl5LKk

Can we draw our learning to help us remember?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
My Pencil Made Me Do It: A Beginners Guide To Sketchnoting In The Classroom

# data[].attributes.body
Whose Poop is That?

Owl Pellet Investigation with STL Zoo: https://youtu.be/sIPhPp1f8ko

What can we discover about animals from their poop?

# data[].attributes.body
Welcome to the symphony by Carolyn Sloan

Learn about the orchestra with George: https://youtu.be/M0Jc4sP0BEE

Make recycled instruments: https://zinginstruments.com/homemade-musical-instruments/

Can we create different sounds using recycled materials?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
George Meets the Orchestra | An Introduction to the Orchestra for Children

# data[].attributes.body
Spaghetti and Meatballs for all

Create a seating chart for a party for your family and friends. How many ways can you arrange the tables? Show your thinking with the perimeter and area explorer.
https://toytheater.com/area-perimeter-explorer/

How many ways can we create seating for a party?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Perimeter and area are basic concepts in geometry. Yet, to master them, students need plenty of practice. Our free online interactive area and perimeter game is perfect for helping your students master these concepts.

Using the interactive area and perimeter game is intuitive and easy. Click and drag the colored blocks onto the grid to create rectangles or irregular shapes. The tool will automatically show students the totals of the perimeter and area in the upper left hand corner of shapes of the same color. Perimeter sums also appear along the edge of the shape. You can toggle these features on and off using the "Hide Totals" and "Hide Perimeter" buttons in the top right hand corner. If you create several shapes, you can click on them to show the perimeter and area of each one. Clear the grid using the trash can button.

Offer students a given perimeter or area and see how many different ways they can achieve those totals with the blocks.

Visit classplayground.com for more resources and printables related to perimeter and area. For more interactives on geometry visit mathmine.com..

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Area Perimeter Explorer | Geometry for Kids | Toy Theater

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This online interactive area and perimeter game is perfect for helping students practice and master these essential geometry concepts.

# data[].attributes.body
Not a box and Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis
What to do with a box by Jane Yolen and Chris Sheban

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vSI2M07OXQ9CnP0vzjzoIYXzHpOp_rePI-2RDoSYOeE/edit?usp=sharing

What can we make with our imaginiations?

# data[].attributes.body
Three Ninja Pigs and more versions: https://austin.bibliocommons.com/list/share/124054341/190426314

Build a house
https://inventionlandinstitute.com/steam-lesson-plan-three-little-pigs-design-challenge

What material will build the strongest house?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The story of Three Little Pigs is not only a staple in the lives of most children, but it's also the perfect STEAM lesson plan for elementary school students. In this STEAM lesson, students will work in three teams to build houses that will (hopefully) withstand the huff and the puff of the big bad wolf. This lesson will take approximately one 45-60 minute class period to complete.

Materials Needed

1 copy of The Three Little Pigs

50 popsicle sticks for Team 1

50 small (hot drink) straws for Team 2

50 index cards for Team 3

1 thick piece of cardboard to serve as the foundation for each team's house

1 poster board roof for each team

One roll of masking tape for each team

Small desk fan to serve as the big, bad wolf (preferably decorated appropriately).

paper and pencils

Preparation

1. If you'd like to turn your box fan into a big, bad wolf, feel free to draw or print a cartoon photo of a wolf and place on top of the fan. If you have a wolf mask handy, you could use that, too.

2. Divide the materials into three groups so students can easily pick up exactly what their team needs for the challenge.

Procedure

1. Read The Three Little Pigs out loud to your class.

2. After reading, ask students what they think is needed to build a strong house. Consider linking this to different weather conditions-what would you need if you live in a windy climate? A hot climate? A snowy and cold climate?

3. Divide your class into three groups and Introduce the Three Little Pigs Design Challenge: Can your team design and build a house that the big, bad wolf can't blow down? Requirements:

1. Your house must be built on the provided foundation (must be at the bottom of the house) and using the roof (must be at the top of the house) provided.

2. You can only use the materials provided to your team.

3. Everyone must work together and all ideas need to be considered.

4. You only have 20 minutes to build your house and have it tested.

4. Show students the "Big, Bad Wolf" so they know the force of the wind (huffing and puffing). Note: You can extend this challenge by using a fan with different levels (high, medium, low) and students that pass the "low" fan can move to medium and then high, etc. You can also move the fan to pre-determined locations measuring from further to closer to the house.

5. Hand out each team's assigned material to use. (Note: If you have larger classes, you can divide the students into more than three groups and add additional building materials such as different straw sizes, different popsicle stick sizes, and different paper stock weight sizes. But every team needs to use the same foundation and the same room.)

6. Encourage students to draw or sketch their ideas before building.

7. After 20 minutes, students must bring their house to the "testing zone." Note: their house can face any direction, but the wind must always come from the same place. If the house is still standing after 20 seconds, success!

Discussion

Give students time to write down their answers individually and then discuss as a class:

What material worked the best?

Why do you think some materials were more effective than others?

Was your house able to withstand the huffing and puffing of the big bad wolf?

How could you improve your design?

Extension: What are all of the different jobs that are needed in order to build a house (make a list on the whiteboard)? How many of these jobs require an understanding of science, technology, engineering, and/or math (place a star next to these jobs)?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
STEAM Lesson Plan: Three Little Pigs Design Challenge - Inventionland Institute

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The story of Three Little Pigs is not only a staple in the lives of most children, but it's also the perfect STEAM lesson plan for elementary school students. In this STEAM lesson, students will work in three teams to build houses that will (hopefully) withstand the huff and the puff of the big bad wolf.

# data[].attributes.body
The Pigeon Loves Things That Go! by Mo Willems

Cardbord tube cars
https://kidscraftroom.com/cardboard-tube-racing-car-craft/(can also be used to test friction)

How can we make things move?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This Cardboard Tube Racing Car Craft is a great way to use up your hoard of Tp rolls or kitchen towel middles. If your family is anything like mine then it's a craft supply you'll always have to hand! We love to recycle trash into crafts.

It's fun for kids to make their DIY Racing Cars in lots of different colours and we've got free printable wrap arounds to make it super easy too!

The coloured printable sleeves have a blank round space so you can personalise your cardboard tube racing car with a number, name or picture.

We love being able to recycle waste into crafts. It's a lovely way to have fun and be creative cheaply and it encourages our children to care for the natural world too. We've got lots of recycled crafts here on Kids Craft Room. Some reader favourites are Rainbow Blowers which also use cardboard tubes, a fantastic Dragon Hobby Horse made from an old cereal box, Squeeze 'N' Croak Frogs made from jar lids and gorgeous art made from old CD's.

Cardboard Tube Racing Car Craft Tutorial

Supplies To Make TP Roll Racing Cars

Free Printable Car Sleeves (Get yours at the bottom of this post.)

Cardboard Tubes

Paints

Bottle Caps ( e.g. Applesauce Caps)

Glue

Hot Glue

Scissors

Paint Brush

Black Sharpie Pen

Paper Roll Racing Car Craft Instructions

1 - You can paint your cardboard tube racing car craft purely by hand or print out our free colourful sleeves to help you. Their 'go faster' stripes are lots of fun and there are lots of colours to choose from. Grab yours at the bottom of this post.

2 - If the printable sleeves don't fully cover the length of your cardboard tube then paint the ends. You can choose the same colour as your printable sleeve or a contrasting colour.

3 - When your paint is dry glue on the printable sleeve.

4 - Of course your racing car craft needs some wheels! Applesauce caps are perfect but you could use any bottle lids you like. Glue them on with your glue gun because a glue stick won't be strong enough to hold them in place.

5 - To make the back of the seat for your racing car cut a small rectangle from another cardboard tube and cut a slight concave curve along one side to help it fit well onto the back of your car. Paint it.

6 - To make your racing car's steering wheel cut a small circle from a cardboard tube, flatten it and paint it black.

7 - Cut a smaller circle from white paper and glue it on to the steering wheel. Draw on the cross pieces with your black Sharpie Pen.

8 - To make the steering column cut a thin strip of cardboard tube, roll it up and stick it. Paint it black.

9 - Use your glue gun to stick the steering wheel and seat onto your sports car.

10 - Use the white circle space to personalise your cardboard tube racing car craft with a number, name or drawing.

Broom, broom, you're ready to go racing around the track! My craft blogger friend Stef, from Non Toy Gifts, has a great idea for making a cardboard road that would go perfectly with this racing car craft.

Come and chat with us on Facebook, Pinterest , Instagram or YouTube or subscribe to our weekly craft newsletter.

More Fun Crafts To Encourage Imaginative Play:
Print your instructions below:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This Cardboard Tube Racing Car Craft is a great way to use up your hoard of Tp rolls or kitchen towel middles. If your family is anything like mine then it's a craft supply you'll always have to hand! We love to recycle trash into crafts.

# data[].attributes.body
Life Cycles: Pumpkins by Robin Nelson

Activities including languages, engineering, and more
https://scheck.padlet.org/penchev/pumpkin

Can we build a habitat for birds using pumpkins?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our year long pumpkin experiment/observation

# data[].attributes.body
Who lives in the artic? Susan Canizares and Pamela Chanko

https://pbskids.org/molly/games/adventure
Identify animals native to Alaska with Molly Denali

What animals do we know?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Support for MOLLY OF DENALI® is provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, the GBH Kids Catalyst Fund, and by public television viewers.

Original production funding was provided by a Ready To Learn Grant from the Department of Education, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American People, the T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan, Homer and IKEA®.

The contents of the first season of this program were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. [PR/Award No. U295A150003, CFDA No. 84.295A]

MOLLY OF DENALI® is produced by GBH Kids and Atomic Cartoons.

Molly of Denali, ®/© 2023 WGBH Educational Foundation. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Corporate Sponsorship

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Explore the Alaskan wilderness with Molly, her mom, and Nina. Take photos of amazing animals and record what you find in your notebook.

# data[].attributes.body
Lemonade for Sale
Online graphing program: https://mrnussbaum.com/graphmaster

How can we show information so everyone can see the results?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This is a powerful graphing program that allows students of all ages to create four different graphs on one page by entering data. The program displays four different interactive graphs: bar, line, pie, and frequency chart. The program also analyzes data and generates eight multiple choice questions about the data. It gives immediate feedback. This program is perfect for students taking classroom polls. Watch the demonstration video to learn more.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This is a powerful graphing program that allows students of all ages to create four different graphs on one page by entering data. The program displays fou

# data[].attributes.body
How A House is Built by Gail Gibbons
Build an earthquake resistant house https://www.sciencebuddies.org/teacher-resources/lesson-plans/earthquake_resistant_buildings

How can we build a house to withstand a natural disaster?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A cardboard box is used to simulate a house. A sheet of cardboard that is larger than the cardboard box is used for the tabletop. Scissors, tape, yarn, springs, paperclips, thumb tacks, markers, straws, rubber bands, cotton balls and binder clips are used to construct the tabletop. A ruler and stopwatch app on a smartphone are used to measure the shaking of the tabletop.

Testing Station (at least 1 per class, more if you have multiple phones available)

Smartphone with Google's Science Journal app, available for free on Google Play for Android devices (version 4.4 or newer) or from the App Store for iOS devices (iOS 9.3 or newer).

Double-sided foam tape

Stopwatch

Ruler

For each group of 2-4 students:

A standardized object to use as a "house." For example, small cardboard boxes or plastic food storage containers. See the Lesson Plan Variations section for ideas on how students can build their own houses.

Piece of corrugated cardboard that is larger than the base of the "house"

Materials to build an earthquake-resistant base:

Corrugated cardboard

Assorted round objects to use as rollers: markers, marbles, etc.

Assorted shock-absorbing objects: rubber bands, cotton balls, erasers, springs (you can get springs at a hardware store or by disassembling ballpoint click pens), etc.

Assorted attachment materials: pushpins, binder clips, paper clips, straws, string, stapler, etc.

Object that is about the same weight as the phone (box of pencils, plastic baggie full of coins, etc.)

Masking tape or Scotch® tape

Scissors

Ruler

Stopwatch

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Build an Earthquake-Resistant House | Lesson Plan

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A cardboard box is used to simulate a house. A sheet of cardboard that is larger than the cardboard box is used for the tabletop. Scissors, tape, yarn, springs, paperclips, thumb tacks, markers, straws, rubber bands, cotton balls and binder clips are used to construct the tabletop.

# data[].attributes.body
Leaves Change Color
https://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/youth/leafrub.shtml

What colors do leaves turn? What shapes can we find in leaves?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Different sizes and shapes of tree leaves (maple, oak, hackberry, mulberry, ginkgo)

colored paper

crayons

Directions:
1. Put a leaf upside down on the table.

2. Place a piece of paper over the leaf.

3. While holding the paper and leaf in place, use the side of a crayon to rub across the leaf.

4. Make sure that you color over the entire leaf. Rubbing firmly all over the leaf will show the veins and the outline of the leaf

5. A dark crayon will produce a clearer print of the leaf.

6. Do another leaf with different color crayon.
Be creative.
For information on reproducing this article or using any photographs or graphics, read the Terms of Use statement
Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County is your on-line yard and garden educational resource. The information on this Web site is valid for residents of southeastern Nebraska. It may or may not apply in your area. If you live outside southeastern Nebraska, visit your local Extension office
Contact Information Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County
Web site: lancaster.unl.edu
444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68528 | 402-441-7180

Parents & Students: Consider the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

"4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Supplies: Different sizes and shapes of tree leaves (maple, oak, hackberry, mulberry, ginkgo) colored paper crayons Directions: 1. Put a leaf upside down on the table. 2. Place a piece of paper over the leaf. 3. While holding the paper and leaf in place, use the side of a crayon to rub across the leaf.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Picture books with measurement content | nzmaths

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Level 1 measurementErnest, by Catherine RaynerPublisher: MacMillan ISBN: 9780230712553

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A FREE one page weekly "newspaper" to help inspire kids to engage with STEM in the real world. Each issue can be printed or shared digitally with the kids you know. Literacy & STEM...better together!

# data[].attributes.body
Iggy Peck Architect
https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/cardboard-tube-stem-activities-kids/
Kindergarten Engineering powerpoint
What can we build with toilet paper and paper towel rolls?

Materials: cardboard rolls, crafty items

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Use literature to get your students excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by actively involving them in the design thinking process. Each of the titles below shares a story where something was built or invented by designing, planning, gathering materials, and creating. In addition to strengthening literacy skills, your students will develop inquiry and problem-solving skills. They will also see that with perseverance, anyone can be innovative and invent new things! Make a STEM connection to each book below by clicking on the title to get additional information.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Use literature to get your students excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by actively involving them in the design thinking process. Each of the titles below shares a story where something was built or invented by designing, planning, gathering materials, and creating.

# data[].attributes.headline
Mix it Up: Create new color combinations

# data[].attributes.subject
Mix it Up: Create new color combinations

# data[].attributes.body
Mix It Up by Herve’ Tullet
https://busytoddler.com/2019/03/mixing-colors/

Video link for Mix It Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwfZvRuE7s8

How can you create different and new colors by mixing together existing colors?

What names would you give the new colors?

# data[].attributes.body
The Art of the Catapult by William Gurstelle
https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/popsicle-stick-catapult-kids-stem-activity/

History of catapults video

How can you create a catapult that will move an object to the target?

# data[].attributes.body
Where in the Wild? By David Schwartz
https://www.incredibleart.org/files/Jan-handcamouflage.htm

Camouflage song

Chameleon video

How can animals hide from predators or prey? What techniques do they use?

# data[].attributes.headline
How far can you fly: Create 3 different kinds of plane, Fly, and measure distance

# data[].attributes.subject
How far can you fly: Create 3 different kinds of plane, Fly, and measure distance

# data[].attributes.body
Keep Your Distance by Gail Herman

Sam’s Sneaker Squares by Nat Gabriel (English and Spanish)

Create three types of airplanes: copy paper, construction paper/cardstock, foam airplane kit

-Test each plane

-Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the distance flown

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-paper-planes-drag/

What kind of plane will fly the farthest? Why?

# data[].attributes.headline
Flip it, Tally it, and Graph it: Keep track of data and create a bar graph using legos

# data[].attributes.subject
Flip it, Tally it, and Graph it: Keep track of data and create a bar graph using legos

# data[].attributes.body
Tally O’Malley by Stuart J Murphy

Let’s Make a Bar Graph by Robin Nelson

Let’s Make a Tally CHart by Robin Nelson

The Great Graph Contest by Loreen Leedy
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1znaPoT7X47_xOwa3Szrhdn0EGaYm2GQedh-33NQdQZc/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NSr-PSbuqbJfMXu01EP17BpO9KkfNZdITpjOaYDcpW0/edit?usp=sharing

https://www.science-sparks.com/lego-bar-charts/

How can we record and display our data?

# data[].attributes.headline
Can you cross it: Building a bridge that can hold 21 circus animals 

# data[].attributes.subject
Can you cross it: Building a bridge that can hold 21 circus animals 

# data[].attributes.body
21 Elephants by April Jones

Pop’s Bridge by Eve Bunting
https://www.instructables.com/id/Popsicle-Stick-Bridge/

How can we create a bridge strong enough to carry elephants?

# data[].attributes.headline
Balance This: Create a balance and weigh items

# data[].attributes.subject
Balance This: Create a balance and weigh items

# data[].attributes.body
Just a Little Bit by Ann Tompert

Me and the Measure of Things

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Balance-Scale-for-Kids

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YeFY1ugNxjdIdfxbUCO0w_I7PunKLSEFRD1IojE-0Fw/edit?usp=sharing

How can we find out if things weigh the same if we don’t have a scale?

# data[].attributes.headline
Quack: Create duck masks and kazoo duck calls

# data[].attributes.subject
Quack: Create duck masks and kazoo duck calls

# data[].attributes.body
Quack and Count by Keith Baker

https://www.todaysparent.com/family/crafts/how-to-make-a-kazoo-out-of-a-toilet-paper-roll/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISm28HoATPQ duck mask

How can we make the call of a duck?

# data[].attributes.headline
Somethings fishy: Create a jello aquarium with gummy fish and sharks

# data[].attributes.subject
Somethings fishy: Create a jello aquarium with gummy fish and sharks

# data[].attributes.body
Fish Eyes by Lois Ehlert
https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/recipe/051476/aquarium-cups

How can we create a fish scene using food?

# data[].attributes.headline
Skip two: Make fingerprint animals Make two of each and count by twos

# data[].attributes.subject
Skip two: Make fingerprint animals Make two of each and count by twos

# data[].attributes.body
Dos en el zoologico/Two at the Zoo bilingual board book by Danna Smith
Finger print animals

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/810366526682796298/

How can we use our fingerprints to make an animal? How do you count by twos?

# data[].attributes.headline
Puppet time: Make paper bag puppets or finger puppets of all the characters and act out the story

# data[].attributes.subject
Puppet time: Make paper bag puppets or finger puppets of all the characters and act out the story

# data[].attributes.body
Vamos de visita/Let's Go Visiting (bilingual board book) by Sue Williams
https://iheartcraftythings.com/20-paper-bag-animal-crafts-for-kids.html

How many animals are on the farm?

# data[].attributes.headline
Animal farm: Creating animal masks and acting out the story

# data[].attributes.subject
Animal farm: Creating animal masks and acting out the story

# data[].attributes.body
La gallina grande/Big Fat Hen bilingual board book by Keith Baker
https://www.firstpalette.com/craft/printable-animal-masks.html

How can we recreate the story and act it out? How can we add math to our recreation?

# data[].attributes.body
Ten Magic Butterflies by Danica McKeller
https://dengarden.com/gardening/Growing-Seeds-in-an-Egg-Carton

How can you recycle an egg carton into a planter?

# data[].attributes.headline
Are you a lump of clay?: Animation/claymation

# data[].attributes.subject
Are you a lump of clay?: Animation/claymation

# data[].attributes.body
Action! Making Movies (Time for Kids)
http://www.tech4learning.com/userfiles/file/pdfs/Frames/Making_Claymation_in_the_Classroom.pdf

How can you create a movie using clay?

# data[].attributes.body
Every Planet has a place
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/the_planets.htm
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/activity/solar-system-bead-activity/

How far away are planets from the sun? What does that mean for the planet?

# data[].attributes.body
Click! A Book about Cameras and Taking Pictures
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/100-ways-use-digital-cameras

How can you create a book using technology?

# data[].attributes.headline
Do you see that?: Numbers at our school movie

# data[].attributes.subject
Do you see that?: Numbers at our school movie

# data[].attributes.body
Hidden Alphabet
City 123
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/movie-making-classroom

APPs: PerfectVideo, Pic Collage

What numbers do you see most?

# data[].attributes.body
Davis Smells by David Shannon
http://www.education.com/activity/article/your_nose_knows_kindergarten/

What smells are easiest to identify? If you close your eyes, what happens to your sense of smell?

# data[].attributes.body
Nightsong
Blindfold bean bag toss

http://preschoolpowolpackets.blogspot.com/2015/10/bat-science-experiments-echolocation.html

How do your senses affect other senses?

# data[].attributes.headline
An inch or more?: measuring with nonstandard measurement

# data[].attributes.subject
An inch or more?: measuring with nonstandard measurement

# data[].attributes.body
How Big Is A Foot
Me and the Measure of Things
Inchworm and a half by Elinor Pinczes
http://www.pbs.org/parents/adventures-in-learning/2014/07/measuring-kids-steps/

video: http://pbskids.org/video/?guid=46479480-05d4-4374-a39a-9e8c4a522168

https://www.bonbonbreak.com/measuring-and-estimating-with-candy-hearts/

How does measuring with non standard instruments cause a problem?

# data[].attributes.body
One Fish, Two Fish or any other
https://www.teachjunkie.com/holidays/6-dr-seuss-inspired-math-activities-free-download/

online games: http://pbskids.org/catinthehat/games/math-safari.html

What math skills are you the best at?

# data[].attributes.body
Biblioburro
http://kidworldcitizen.org/2012/01/01/create-a-mola-folk-art-from-panama/

How can you use color and depth to create art?

# data[].attributes.body
Picasso Loves Shapes by Judiee Lee
https://www.nsa.gov/academia/_files/collected_learning/elementary/arithmetic/place_value_and_picasso.pdf

What number is most likely and least likely to be rolled?

# data[].attributes.body
Dinosaurumpus
Daisy the Dinosaur APP

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/daisy-the-dinosaur/id490514278?mt=8

What commands will make the dinosaur move and complete the tasks?

# data[].attributes.body
The Man Who Walked Between Towers
http://www.minds-in-bloom.com/2011/09/free-jenga-multiplication-and-addition.html

What blocks will be removed that will make the tower still stand?

# data[].attributes.body
Growing Crystals
http://chemistry.about.com/od/growingcrystals/

What reactions in the ingredients cause crystals to grow?

# data[].attributes.body
Tell me why planes have wings
http://sciencebob.com/the-incredible-hoop-glider/

How can you create a flying object using a straw, tape, and paper?

# data[].attributes.body
Monster Ships
Floating and Sinking by Amy S Hansen (Eng/Span)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bmllcujR9_z9m3g3DNcGsyL29ADcmESaVMB-Gm9rKTY/edit?usp=sharing

How can you make a floating vessel? How many items will the vessel hold until it sinks? How can you show your data in graph form?

# data[].attributes.headline
Will it melt: gummy bear science and math

# data[].attributes.subject
Will it melt: gummy bear science and math

# data[].attributes.body
Gummy bear counting book
http://tinkerlab.com/incredible-growing-gummy-bears/

Will different liquids affect the size, shape, and feel of gummy bears?

# data[].attributes.headline
It’s In The Stars: marshmallow constellations

# data[].attributes.subject
It’s In The Stars: marshmallow constellations

# data[].attributes.body
Our Stars
http://www.kcedventures.com/blog/astronomy-activities-for-kids-books-about-the-stars

Why do the stars form patterns?

# data[].attributes.headline
Can you hear me now: Making a record player

# data[].attributes.subject
Can you hear me now: Making a record player

# data[].attributes.body
Ah, Music
Poppy Music series
http://turntable-dj.wonderhowto.com/how-to/make-your-own-homemade-record-player-175535/

How would you make sound come from the record, without a record player?

# data[].attributes.body
Zoom Rocket Zoom
https://www.alkaseltzer.com/science-experiments/rockets/

What happens when you combine alka seltzer and water? How can you make the rocket go farther?

# data[].attributes.body
Bartholomew and the Oobleck
http://www.livescience.com/21536-oobleck-recipe.html

What happens when you combine the ingredients? Why?

Can you make a similar non Newtonian liquid with other household items?

# data[].attributes.body
Skyscraper
http://knowitall.scetv.org/careeraisle/resources/related/ccjan10/Marshmallow%20Tower%20Activity.pdf

Timelapse Video building a skyscraper

Your challenge is to build the tallest marshmallow FREE standing tower. What is your plan? How successful were you?

# data[].attributes.body
Who Invented Home Video Games
https://edu.bloxelsbuilder.com/

How can you design a video game to teach others about a major event in history or science?

# data[].attributes.headline
What do Cheeseballs and Your Breath have to do with Science: blowing cheeseballs

# data[].attributes.subject
What do Cheeseballs and Your Breath have to do with Science: blowing cheeseballs

# data[].attributes.body
Woosh Said The Wind
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Aero_p039.shtml

How can you move the cheeseball to the target using wind power?

# data[].attributes.body
You wouldn’t want to live without fire
http://www.makershed.com/collections/beginner

What is something you need to live a better life? How can you transform old or used materials into new devices?

# data[].attributes.body
My crayons talk
The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola Crayons  by Natascha Biebow.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Dawalt.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Melted-Crayon-Art/

Which heat source would get hot enough to melt crayons and form crayon art?

Materials: flashlight, hotplate, hair dryer, halogen lamp

# data[].attributes.body
We Need the Sun
http://www.education.com/science-fair/article/design-solar-cooker/

The power is out and we need to cook hotdogs for the class. How can you cook them using the sun?

# data[].attributes.body
Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty
http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects/eggdrop.html

The school cook keeps dropping eggs when he brings them from the refrigerator to the stove. How can we make a protection device to save the eggs?

# data[].attributes.body
From Cow to Ice Cream
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities/ice-cream-bag

How long will it take the ingredients to form ice cream?

How many shakes until ice cream forms?