Tinkering: Kids Learn by Making Stuff

After-school and out-of-school programs—as well as home schooling—have been growing steadily for nearly a decade, but instructors are still searching for high-interest content that ties into science standards without the rigidity of current classroom canon. The author draws on more than 20 years of experience doing hands-on science to facilitate tinkering: learning science while fooling around with real things.

In this book, you’ll learn:

• Tinkering techniques in key science areas
• How to let kids learn science with hands-on tinkering
• Engaging techniques for science learning at home, in school, or at a makerspace or library
• Step-by-step instructions for activities that don’t end with a single project, but that provide many paths for “tinkering forward”.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Sound
Chapter 2. The Value of Tinkering in the Learning Process
Chapter 3. Magnetism
Chapter 4. A Good Tinkering Session
Chapter 5. Mechanics
Chapter 6. Tinkering Logistics
Chapter 7. Electric Circuits
Chapter 8. The Learning Community & Differentiated Learning
Chapter 9. Chemistry
Chapter 10. Dealing with Questions and Dishing Out Answers
Chapter 11. Biology
Chapter 12. Standards and Assessment in the Tinkering Environment
Chapter 13. Engineering and Motors
Chapter 14. Final Notes

Appendix A. Academic Research On How Learning Works
Appendix B. Evaluation Questionnaire for Students