Resource Reviews Skyscrapers! and Bridges! by Carol


A. Johmann, are wonderful resources for younger students, ages eight through twelve. These books invite observation, predicting, and wonder while teaching basic physics and design. The introduction in Bridges! suggests that if students want to be bridge builders, they’ll need to be part scientist, part architect, part environmentalist, part innovator, and part historian. In both books, examples from the ancient world are given, challenges are presented, and hints are provided to the adventurous readers who can follow step-by-step instructions to build models of many different kinds of bridges and skyscrapers. The books present sophisticated ideas in simple, accessible ways. These are outstanding resources. Skyscrapers! and


Bridges! Williamson Pub- lishing, 2001, 1999. 96 pages each. $12.95 each. 800-234- 8791.


Building Structures with Young Chil-


dren, by Ingrid Chalufour and Karen Worth, is part of the Young Scientist series (created by a team of early childhood educators) and focuses on using readily available materi- als in the classroom for creating structures that are strong. With a focus on inquiry, the authors lead read- ers to consider more deeply their practice and urge instructors to involve their students fully. They use specific scenarios to show good teaching, but also how to push that into exemplary teaching. The book advocates supporting children in play and investigation while having clear goals for science learning. Using this guide, teachers will gain confidence in teaching important skills through a constructivist


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approach. Preparation, open exploration, and focused exploration (with emphasis on tow- ers and enclosures) are included as a step- by-step procedure. Assessment and reflection are also included. This is an outstanding resource. Building Structures with Young Chil-


dren. Red Leaf Press, 2005. 120 pages $25.95. DVD and other sets of materials also available. 800-423-8309.


Cool Careers in Engineering, by Tam


O’Shaughnessy, is a short nonfiction book for students ages nine through fourteen that features brief biographies of engineers (an elementary version is also available). Seven women and five men represent twelve dif- ferent kinds of engineering careers. Learn about the people who design, invent, patent, and manufacture all kinds of innovations that help with everything from the medical world to product packaging. Each biography relates the type of engineering to examples, explains in simple terms what the job does, and offers an activity related to the person or their field of expertise. A suggestion at the end of the book encourages readers to start a journal of students’ own interests, skills, and abilities, and relates them to careers in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Cool Careers in Engineering (Both ele-


mentary and middle school editions). Sally Ride Science, 2010. 36 pages. $7.00 for one copy or $36.00 for six. 858-638-1432.


The Unofficial LEGO® Builder’s Guide,


by Allan Bedford, is a great guide for avid builders. Going beyond the idea of kits, this book includes basic techniques, tools, and materials lists as well as lessons in differ- ent structural approaches to building. This comprehensive book also encourages the kind of inquisitiveness and imagination which can be lost while building with highly specialized LEGO pieces, by suggesting that readers take on the challenge of designing their own projects. As well, it lists activities


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