The Science and Technology of Ben Franklin
by Alicia Klepeis (Author) Micah Rauch (Illustrator)
This STEM-based science biography explores Benjamin Franklin’s lifetime of boundless curiosity and encourages kids to imagine what they can do as inventors and scientists through hands-on projects!
Inventor. Scientist. Diplomat. Printer. Benjamin Franklin was a very curious person, which led to lots of different roles during his lifetime.
In The Science and Technology of Ben Franklin, readers ages 9 through 12 explore the life of one of colonial America’s most fascinating citizens. They discover what it might have been like to be a young person in the early eighteenth century, when work and entertainment looked much different from today. Franklin’s frequent forays into science and technology drive the story forward as kids grow more and more eager to see how Franklin solves the problems he’s confronted with. Even when Franklin’s experiments failed or his inventions flopped, he continued to take risks in order to push the limits of people’s knowledge of the world back then. His dedication to invention and experimentation gave the world new insight into electricity, heat, and much more.
Kids gain these same insights through hands-on STEM activities, essential questions, text-to-world connections, and links to online resources that encourage readers to take a closer look into Franklin’s world.
The Science and Technology of Ben Franklin is part of a set of three Build It Science Biographies that capture the curiosity of three science revolutionaries who were able to glimpse beyond the limits of human experience and make discoveries that continue to resonate today. Other titles in this set include The Science and Technology of Leonardo da Vinci and The Science and Technology of Marie Curie.
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School Library Journal
Gr 4-6--These combination biographies/experiment guides are a unique way to introduce famous scientific figures. A time line of significant events is followed by an introduction to the scientist. Details of their work are interspersed with suggested activities. Readers might design swim paddles as Ben Franklin did, build a catapult like Leonardo da Vinci, or even research medical technology like Marie Curie's X-ray vans. QR codes lead to primary sources, and suggested keywords for further internet searches are listed in the back matter. Essential questions encourage reflection on the material. "Words to Know" are defined in sidebars as well as in the glossary. The Curie title's experiments are less closely tied to her work due to its dangerous nature, but the book mentions several other famous female scientists readers might wish to know about. VERDICT An interesting way to provide readers with details of the life and work of famous scientists.
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Dig Magazine
"The Renaissance Inventors is one in the new series "The Renaissance for Kids." Each chapter is devoted to an inventor: Gutenberg, Alberti, da Vinci, and Mercator. Sidebars, well-chosen illustrations and photos, along with a variety of boxes (Fast Facts, Wonder Why?, Words of Wonder, Connect, History's Mysteries, and more) combine with 10 hands-on projects to make this an unforgettable read!" Explore Makerspace!
National Science Teachers Association Recommends
"Where schools have invested in 3D printers, these "makerspaces" are common, but author Alicia Klepeis and illustrator Matt Aucoin demonstrate how a design and engineering center can work with ordinary materials and not much technology. The book is intended for children ages 7-10, although older students might well extend the scope of the activities well past the basics presented in each chapter. Using the materials listed and the suggested directions, young engineers can apply skills in math, art, music, and, of course, science to create original structures, instruments, and venues for games. Elementary teachers with an interest in science most likely have their classes engage in some of these learning experiences already, such as bridge building or sound amplification. Many of the activities, however, stand out in that they 1) are more open-ended than the typical classroom science lab session and 2) they employ more art."
Alicia Klepeis loves to research fun and out-of-the-ordinary topics that bring the world to young readers--from amazing animals to extreme environments. Alicia began her career at the National Geographic Society. She is the author of more than 200 children's books, including Go Wild! Frogs; Gutsy Girls Go For Science: Astronauts; Polar Bears & Penguins: A Pretty Cool Introduction to the Arctic and Antarctic; and Secrets of the Forest: 15 Bedtime Stories Inspired By Nature. A former middle school teacher, Alicia loves doing school visits. She lives with her family in upstate New York.
Kaja Kajfez was born in a small, charming city of Varazdin, Croatia. She developed a love of drawing as a child - her mum used to draw with her for hours which really sparked her interest in illustration. Besides doing her dream job, Kaja loves to take long walks in nature, explore different historical periods, scroll through old picture books, listen to online concerts, and spend time with her dog.JNF061010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Technology | Inventions
JNF025190 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States/Colonial & Revolutionary
JNF051140 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Physics
United States
Scientists
Experiments
18th century
Science
Inventors
Franklin, Benjamin
Science projects
Technology
Knowledge
