Mixing and Separating Materials in My Makerspace

Mixing and Separating Materials in My Makerspace is part of the “Matter and Materials in My Makerspace” series. Designed as an introduction to the skills needed to work in a Makerspace, the series focuses on communication, collaboration, creativity and problem-solving.

No right or wrong!
Makers know that:
• The only limit is your imagination.
• Every idea is valuable.
• Things do not always go as planned. Challenges help us learn to solve problems.

Like other books in the “Matter and Materials in My Makerspace” series, Mixing and Separating Materials in My Makerspace is filled with easy to follow step-by-step directions for investigations or “Maker Missions” based on a scientific theme, which, in this case, is how to combine and separate solids and liquids.

The instructions are clear and well-illustrated. The list of “Materials” for each “Maker Mission” requires items commonly found in a home. Some activities do recommend adult assistance or supervision.

Each mission includes a flow chart of questions to guide students’ investigations. Each mission concludes with a “Mission Accomplished” text box that encourages students to self-evaluate and to investigate further.

Did you make at least four separated layers? If not, keep mixing! Think about the properties of each liquid you work with.

Another excellent feature is “Maker Tips”. This double-page spread helps the young reader learn the skills to brainstorm, plan, and problem-solve. Throughout the text, students are reminded to go back to the “Maker Tips” if they are having trouble with any of the challenges. Learning from the process, whether they have been successful on their first attempt or not, is continually reinforced.

The series follows the standard nonfiction format, including a table of contents, glossary, index, and a short list of books and websites with further information on the topics. The photos are colourful with lots of young students in action.

Each book ends with “Endless Ideas” that extend on the “Maker Missions”. In Mixing and Separating Materials in My Makerspace, the “Maker Missions” are “Make a paste”, Make it sort”, “Make liquid layers” and “Make it bubble”.

Young makers will find lots to do and learn in Mixing and Separating Materials in My Makerspace. The skills they learn will be very transferable to other Makerspace activities, and the simple, hands-on activities will be popular with multimodal learners.