Showing titles in How Things Work

Over the last 400 years, telescope technology has come a long way. From dying stars to burping black holes, take a look at the most exciting discoveries in deep space.

Create slippery slimes and frothy foams. Have a blast making colorful chalk explosions. Then, learn the science behind each marvelous mess! It's easy to start experimenting and discover just how fun STEM can be.

Think a soccer match begins with the opening kickoff? Think again! In this Sports Illustrated Kids book, go behind the scenes of a typical game day in professional soccer—from prepping the pitch and cleaning cleats to player escorts and jersey swaps. This fast-paced, fact-filled book will give soccer fans, young and old, a brand-new perspective on major league soccer.

Looking to build some cool moving machines? Think small! Craft a tiny Ferris wheel or a super-small wobbling UFO. You might even make an itty-bitty disco ball. Tiny machines are tons of fun!

Think pro football begins with the opening kickoff? Think again! In this Sports Illustrated Kids book, go behind the scenes of a typical game day in professional football—from pregame tailgating and prepping the pigskins to halftime shows and postgame interviews.

Think pro basketball begins with the opening tipoff? Think again! In this Sports Illustrated Kids book, go behind the scenes of a typical game day in professional basketball—from cleaning the hardcourt and mascot madness to locker room pep talks and postgame interviews.

Think big league baseball begins with the opening pitch? Think again! In this Sports Illustrated Kids book, go behind the scenes of a typical game day in professional baseball—from prepping the diamond and welcoming fans to hawking hot dogs and broadcasting from the booth.

From hospital and police codes to Cockney slang, spoken codes can be both helpful and entertaining. Learn the history behind some of today’s most useful and popular codes, and then have fun creating a language all your own.

Tractors, wagons, combines, and trailers—what are these things? They’re all machines on a farm! How do they work? What are they for? Kids can get to know the many machines that make farms go in this Pebble Sprout series.

ATVs tackle the toughest land around, but there are lots of ways to make these vehicles faster and cooler. Listeners will love finding out how!

ATVs tackle the toughest land around, but there are lots of ways to make these vehicles faster and cooler. Listeners will love finding out how!

Plastic is in lots of items you use every day. Find out about different types of plastic, what they are used for, and if you could really make a toaster from it.

A coat is made from different types of fabric, but could it be made with wood? It seems impossible, but wood has many advantages, and is used for everything from building houses to making toys. Learn more about different types of wood and their many uses. Could it really be used to make a coat?

A diamond is shiny. A brick wall is dull. Why are some objects shiny and others dull? Find out in this series about materials and their properties. Informative, at-level text helps listeners understand the differences between shiny and dull objects.

Do you like to be on the move? These hands-on, not-so-ordinary science projects are for you! Build speedy motorboats and buzzing bots. Take off with zooming, high-flying rockets. Then, learn the science behind each amazingly mobile creation! Simple step-by-step instructions make it easy to start experimenting and discover just how fun STEM can be.

A bowling ball is heavy. A feather is light. Why are some items heavy and others light? Find out in this series about materials and their properties. Informative, at-level text helps listeners understand the differences between heavy and light materials.

Books are made with paper. But what if we tried to make a book with metal? Copper, tin, gold, silver—would any of those materials work to make a book? Find out more about metal, its properties, and how it is produced. Then decide if you really could make a book out of metal.

Ready to make some noise? These hands-on, not-so-ordinary science projects are for you! Design melodic musical instruments and squawking noisemakers. Turn up the bass with activities that let you see sound. Then, learn the science behind each rocking racket! Simple step-by-step instructions make it easy to start experimenting and discover just how fun STEM can be.

Imagine you arrive at school and realize you forgot to feed the dog. No problem. Pull out your phone and command the dog dish to dispense a serving of food. That's all there is to it—if you live a smart home. What once sounded like science fiction is now a reality for some families.

A virtual assistant by any name—Alexa, Siri, whoever—can be a sweet addition to your home. You might use one for simple jobs like playing music or streaming podcasts. And you might use one to communicate with friends and remind you about homework coming due while helping you make your breakfast. Find out how digital assistants work and what the future might hold for this part of a high-tech home.