How Machines Work: The Interactive Guide to Simple Machines and Mechanisms

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Every child in school learns about simple and common machines such as inclined planes and pulleys, but rarely do they have the opportunity to build the machines themselves. In this colorful, interactive book and kit, the principles for 12 basic machines are described, supplemented by descriptions of everyday usefulness, timelines detailing their history, and instructions to build each machine solely with materials included in the kit.

Everything that a budding inventor needs to build each of the machines is provided, including 25 machine pieces, 10 plastic nuts and bolts, and a detachable peg board—all color-coded for easy identification. Using the simple and direct instructions, kids can build each machine in minutes! The projects include: incline planes, levers, wheels and axles, gears (spur, compound, rack and pinion, and planetary), cams, cranks, pulleys, ratchets, and springs.

Hands-on, interactive, and engaging, this kit will bring out the DIY and inventor spirit in every child.

Nick Arnold is the bestselling author of the Horrible Science series, which has been awarded Britain’s Aventis Prize for Science Books. He has written many other books for children, including the Wild Lives series, and he serves as the director of the Appledore Book Festival. Nick also works as a professional historian and located an ancient battlefield that had been lost for one thousand years. He lives in Devon, England. Visit him online at nickarnold-website.com.

Allan Sanders is internationally renowned for his powerful, quirky illustrations. They have appeared in books, magazines, newspapers, and advertising, including The Economist, The Guardian, New Scientist, and the Los Angeles Times. His interactive and animation work has been featured in exhibitions at the London Science Museum. He lives in Brighton, England. You can visit him online at loopland.net.