Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future with 20 Projects

by Kathy Ceceri, Sam Carbaugh (Illustrator)

Overview

Once, robots were only found in science fiction books and movies. Today, robots are everywhere! They assemble massive cars and tiny computer chips. They help doctors do delicate surgery. They vacuum our houses and mow our lawns. Robot toys play with us, follow our commands, and respond to our moods. We even send robots to explore the depths of the ocean and the expanse of space. In Robotics, children ages 9 and up learn how robots affect both the future and the present. Hands-on activities make learning both fun and lasting.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781936749751
Publisher:	Nomad Press
Publication date:	08/01/2012
Series:	Nomad Press Build It Yourself Series
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Kathy Ceceri is About.com's Homeschooling Expert and a fan of art mixed with science. Her books include Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future, named "Best of the Best" by the Chicago Public Library, and Geek Mom: Projects, Tips, and Adventures for Moms and Their 21st-Century Families. She lives in Upstate New York.

Sam Carbaugh is a freelance cartoonist and illustrator. He has worked with many colleges and companies to create informational comics and illustrations. He enjoys working for Nomad Press and likes to think of all the cool things kids are learning with the books he has helped illustrate. He lives in Grand Rapids, MI

Table of Contents

Timeline

Introduction: The World of Robotics 1

Chapter 1 Development of Robotics 11

Chapter 2 Housing: Robot Bodies 27

Chapter 3 Actuators: Making Robots Move 38

Chapter 4 Effectors: How Robots Do Things 55

Chapter 5 Sensors: How Robots Know What's Going On 68

Chapter 6 Controllers: How Robots Think 85

Chapter 7 Al, Social Robots, and the Future of Robotics 104

Glossary

Resources

Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"I am very much impressed with this book. It is imaginative and, despite being written for children, not at all 'dumbed down.' Full of interesting information presented in ways that are certain to stir the imagination of its intended audience, features such as 'Words to know,' 'Make your own,' and 'Fascinating Facts' all add to the effectiveness of the presentation."  —Al Dien Professor, Chinese, Emeritus, Stanford University, presenter, Along the Silk Road, interactive workshop for middle school teachers

"If you've got a child who is a robot fanatic, you must grab a copy of this book. Over a dozen hands-on projects and easy-to-understand technical explanations are going to make it a hit with teachers and parents and a must-have for kids." —James Floyd Kelly, author, LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT-G Programming Guide

"Kathy Ceceri has packed this readable book with tons of information to inspire kids to pursue robots. The activities are creative and will prepare kids to build robots. For children too young to program computers and do soldering, this is the book to whet their appetite for robotics." —Ed Sobey, PhD, author, The Way Toys Work and Unscrewed, cofounder of Kids Invent!

"These exciting, bite-sized science experiments will catapult young readers into the world of robotics." —Daniel H. Wilson, PhD., author of Robopocalypse

"Light in tone but dense with information, this guide should appeal to those who already have a strong interest in the topic and are ready for a hands-on challenge." —Publishers Weekly (July 9, 2012)

Editorial Reviews

Ceceri’s cartoon-illustrated activity book, an addition to the Build It Yourself series, introduces readers to robotics, with information on its history, different robot technologies, and the evolution of the field. Readers are invited to construct their own basic robots, including a pressure sensor that uses an LED light bulb, a watch battery, and aluminum foil; and a model solenoid (used in devices like car door locks), which requires a battery, insulated wire, drinking straws, and other materials. Light in tone but dense with information, this guide should appeal to those who already have a strong interest in the topic and are ready for a hands-on challenge. Ages 9–12. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

Once, robots were only found in science fiction books and movies. Today, robots are everywhere! They assemble massive cars and tiny computer chips. They help doctors do delicate surgery. They vacuum our houses and mow our lawns. Robot toys play with us, follow our commands, and respond to our moods. We even send robots to explore the depths of the ocean and the expanse of space. In Robotics, children ages 9 and up learn how robots affect both the present and the future, as well as the science and technology behind these fascinating creations. Hands-on activities make learning both fun and lasting.

Robotics meets common core state standards in language arts for reading informational text and literary nonfiction and is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Guided Reading Levels and Lexile measurements indicate grade level and text complexity.

Featured title School Library Journal April 2015 "Focus on Robo Reads"
"Robot types and features from the past, present, and near future are introduced in this wide-ranging overview. Twenty hands-on activities relate directly to the concepts introduced in the narrative. A 'WobbleBot’ project for example, demonstrates robot movements in a simple, doable form. Cartoon illustrations support the narrative and the clear instructions."

Chicago Public Library selects Robotics as one of their best of the best books for Kids for 2013!

Featured title in School Library Journal December 2013 "Focus on Inventions".

Children's Literature Review
“ . . . Ceceri provides a history and current uses of robots, twenty fairly easy hands-on experiments, and technical discussion of how robots are put together.”

5-Minutes for books
"Robotics : Discover the Science and Technology of the Future with 20 Projects is a dream book for the young person who likes to tinker around. All they have to do is open the pages and let their imagination go to town! It is filled with information relating to the history of robots, how you define what is and what is not a robot, and what their uses are. Then, of course, there are twenty experiments contained inside these pages for you to create your own robot. . .I highly recommend Robotics , both for the information that it includes and for the creativity it fosters."

Publisher's Weekly
"Ceceri’s cartoon-illustrated activity book, an addition to the Build It Yourself series, introduces readers to robotics, with information on its history, different robot technologies, and the evolution of the field. . . Light in tone but dense with information, this guide should appeal to those who already have a strong interest in the topic and are ready for a hands-on challenge. Ages 9—12.

Ed Sobey, Ph.D., Global Evangelist for Creative Learning, Co-founder of Kids Invent!
“Kathy Ceceri has packed this readable book with tons of information to inspire kids to pursue robotics. The activities are creative and will prepare kids to build their own robots. For children too young to program computers and use soldering equipment, this is the book to whet their appetite for robotics.”

James Floyd Kelly, Writer of LEGO Mindstorms books
“I’m not sure what I like best about this book—the excellent hands-on projects or the easy-to-follow technical discussions or the behind-the-scenes stories about robots in the real world. Thankfully they’re all wrapped up in one great book for kids.”

Daniel H. Wilson Ph.D., author of Robopocalypse
“These exciting, bite-sized science experiments will catapult young readers into the world of robotics. Just remember to use your newfound powers only for good!”

From the Publisher