Outdoor Maker Lab

What a fabulous DIY science activity book, packed full with exciting outdoor experiments that cannot fail to inspire inquisitive young scientists. Written by Professor Robert Winston, Outdoor Maker Lab includes a good number of practical experiments that will help young children understand the world that they live in; each experiment is supported by interesting facts, diagrams and pictures to strengthen their learning. I really like the way this book is presented; each experiment has a difficulty rating (easy, medium, hard) and not only lists the necessary equipment, all of which are common household items, but also shows clear pictures of everything that is needed. The clear concise, step by step instructions are accompanied by coloured photographs and help make each experiment virtually fool-proof. These experiments will show the reader how to make a butterfly feeder and a wormery, measure air pressure, temperature and rain fall and create marbled pebbles and glittering geodes; all in the name of science. Each one of these exciting activities is also accompanied by a short explanation of the science supporting each experiment. Although Outdoor Maker Lab is meant to stimulate independent learning at home, this book would also be a bonus to any Primary classroom bookshelf. Its attractive format will no doubt appeal to most children, while the concise numbered instructions will enable even the weakest readers to work out what to do and what's happening. Finding a child's book that fits all of the criteria for a non-fiction text is quiet difficult. Often a book may have a contents page and index, but not a glossary. Some books have headings but no sub-headings and others have diagrams with labels but no captions. The Outdoor Makers Lab has all of these. So science aside, this book would make for an ideal example of a non-fiction text for use in a lower Key Stage 2 guided or whole class reading lesson. Some of the experiments from the chapters; World of Weather and Earth and Sky, could also be used to help children understand and learn about parts of the Primary Geography curriculum. This book is an absolutely fantastic way for any child, not just the budding young scientist, to find out more about the world in which they live, in an interesting and stimulating way, without the use of a computer or smartphone. 160 pages / Ages 8+ / Reviewed by Sam Phillips, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 7+