Changing Matter in My Makerspace

Changing Matter 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!
There is no right or wrong way to be a maker. As you create, remember:
• There is no such thing as a silly idea. You never know what could lead to something great!
• Each team member is an important part of a project.
• Makers learn to solve problems when things do not go as planned!

Like other books in the “Matter and Materials in My Makerspace” series, Changing Matter 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 temperature can change the state of matter from a solid to a liquid, or from a liquid to a solid.

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.

Do you see how the states of matter in your snow globe act differently? Write down the things you notice. What could you try next?

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 “Maker Missions”. 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.

Each book ends with “Endless Ideas” that extend on the “Maker Missions”. In Changing Matter in My Makerspace, the “Maker Missions” are “Make a snow globe”, Make a liquid act like a solid”, “Make it freeze”, “Make it melt” and “Make it last”.

Young makers will find lots to do and learn in Changing Matter 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.