Harness It: Invent New Ways to Harness Energy and Nature

By Tammy Enz

You can control the power of energy with your own two hands. In Harness It, you’ll invent a penny battery, a solar cooker, a trip wire, and many other energy harnessing contraptions. When it comes to inventing, your imagination has no limits!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: May 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781496656513

Tammy Enz

Tammy Enz holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communications. She teaches at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and has written dozens of books on science and engineering topics for young people.

Book preview

Invent It: Harness It by Tammy Enz

CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Power Play

Penny Battery

Solar-Powered Marshmallow Roaster

Natural Water Filter

Hydroponic Garden

Trip Wire

Wind Turbine

Hidden Message

Glossary

Read More

Index

About the Author

Copyright

Back Cover

POWER PLAY

Engineers and inventors are always looking for ways to use nature. They harness heat, light, and other kinds of energy in ways that improve people’s lives. You don’t have to look too far to find proof. The toaster you use harnesses electricity and heat energy. Your solar-powered calculator uses the power of the sun. But you don’t have to wait for someone else to build the next great invention. You too can harness light, electricity, and nature in amazing, inventive ways.

THE SIX STEPS OF INVENTING

Engineers and inventors follow a certain method when inventing. This method helps them build on their successes and learn from their failures. Inventors call the method’s steps by different names, but the basics are always the same. Follow these six steps to see how inventing works:

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1: PROBLEM

Inventors usually start with a problem. Ask yourself—What problem am I trying to solve?

2: PRINCIPLE

Principles are basic rules or laws for how things work. Gravity is a principle that explains why a ball falls when you drop it. Friction is a principle that slows a ball down when you roll it across the floor. Ask yourself—What rules or laws