Resources for Participants
The Way Things Work: From Levers to Lasers, Cars to Computers -- A Visual Guide to the World of Machines. By David Macaulay. Boston: Houghton Miflin Co, 1988.
Written for readers of all ages -- especially for those who find technology intimidating. Clear
descriptions of the workings of hundreds of devices including airliners, parking meters,
robots, and can openers. Each description is accompanied by wonderful cartoon-like
illustrations and includes the scientific principles behind each machine (e.g., how gears make
work easier and why jumbo jets are able to fly). A good resource to inspire students to look
inside their machines.
Eyewitness Visual Dictionaries: The Visual Dictionary of Everyday Things: London, New
York, Stuttgart: Dorling Kindersley, 1 991.
A great resource book of 200 photographs that provides views of everyday things from the
inside out. Exploded views reveal the inner workings of objects such as shoes, bicycles,
toasters, stereos, umbrellas. Proper terms for the tiniest parts included.
Eyewitness Books: Invention. By Lionel Bender. New York: Alfred Knopf, 1991.
Good photographs and a detailed narrative that tells the story behind inventions. A wide array
of devices are featured including the wheel, pen and ink, the telephone and others inventions
in the home.
Machines: A Book of Moving Pop-ups. By Tim Reeve. Illustrated by Robert Andrew. New
York: Philomel Books, 1993.
An engaging pop-up book that clearly explains the way things work. Includes sample
machines to interact with.
Marbles, Roller skates, and Doorknobs: Simple Machines That Are Really Wheels. By
Christopher Lampton. Pictures by Carol Nicklaus. Brookfield, CT: Millbook Press (a
Gateway Book), 1991.
A book with cartoon illustrations that helps students identify wheels in every day life.
One of a series of books on simple machines written by Lampton.
Others include:
Bathtubs, Slides, and Roller Coaster Rails: Simple Machines that Are Really Inclined Planes
Seesaws, Nutcrackers, and Brooms: Simple Machines That Are Really Levers.
Mistakes That Worked. By Charlotte Foltz Jones. Illustrated by John O'Brien. Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 1991.
An illustrated book filled with fun facts about the origins of everyday inventions and design ideas, including the potato chip, the trouser cuff, x-rays, and more.
How Are Sneakers Made. By Henry Horenstein. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1993.
An easy-to-read book with clear photographs that illustrate the whole process of how sneakers are made, step by step, from rubber soles to sneaker laces.
Resources for Design Club Leaders
Design Technology: Children's Engineering. By Susan Dunn & Rob Larson. The Falmer
Press (get year and city).
Good book about implementing a design curriculum with younger students. Good
descriptions of what the design process entails.
Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) Program Aids. By Mary Anne Huntington.
Alexandria, VA: Junior Engineering Technical Society. (Available for $5.50 from: JETS, 1420 King Street, Suite 405,
Alexandria, VA 22314-2715)
A curriculum guide for various student projects intended to increase student interest in
engineering, science and technology. The book contains specific information and guidelines
for engineering problem-solving competitions, engineering design competitions, and
mini-projects that can be completed in a 2 hour session. The projects are designed to
encourage group effort and stress creativity and ingenuity in design. Useful for teachers of
older children interested in exploring the science and technical aspects of engineering and
design.
Other resource materials, including videotapes on women in engineering, are available from JETS.
