“Creepy Crawley Science”
S.T.E.M. (or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) might not sound interesting to you. But, did you know when you play with Legos you’re using a form of engineering to create something?
And, who isn’t interested in flying cars, robots, and undersea ships? Well, those things are simply science, technology, engineering and math set in motion.
It’s all about finding easy ways to use these complicated disciplines to create new opportunities with common components…and some not so common ingredients, like spider silk.
Believe me, these teeny-tiny creatures create silk that can be used for breathtaking breakthroughs.
Spiders . . . ?
Yes. Spiders. I know you might think these eight-legged creatures sound more creepy than creative but did you know that spider silk is one of the strongest substances around? Well, it is. Scientists even call spider silk a “wonder material”.
I’m talking about that sticky stuff you sometimes walk through in the garden that sends shivers running up your spine. Walking through a spider web immediately sends you searching for those little, unwelcome visitors which might be hiding in your hair. And, it’s stronger than steel and super flexible.
For decades scientists have been searching for a convenient way to harvest that silk so they would be able to use huge quantities.
It’s true. They have.
But, as you might expect, very few people want to become spider farmers simply to spend their afternoons walking up and down spider-infested rows to collect sticky webs dangling from trees, stuck to shrubs or clinging to bushes.
So what’s the answer to this scientific conundrum?
Well, you might want to read this article to find out more about sustainable spider silk: https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/3013893/scientists-develop-sustainable-spider-silk-in-green-materials-breakthrough in BusinessGreen.com
And if you think that’s interesting, you really might enjoy reading Irma the Inventor and the Vampire Spiders.
How many kids do you know who can build robotic spiders out of scrap metal, develop a substance that’s stronger than steel, or crash a cyber-wizard’s computer from an undetectable monitor? Well, that’s Irma. Still, all she really wants is to make some friends and blend in for once, but no matter how hard she tries, Irma always seems to stand out.
This laugh-out-loud middle grade novel encourages readers to explore the STEM fields while never losing its sense of fun.
Irma the Inventor & the Vampire Spiders
Author: Kim Kasch
Published August 21st, 2017 by 50/50 Press
About the Book:
How many kids do you know who can build robotic spiders out of scrap metal, develop a substance that’s stronger than steel, or crash a cyber-wizard’s computer from an undetectable monitor? Well, that’s Irma. Still, all she really wants is to make some friends and blend in for once, but no matter how hard she tries, Irma always seems to stand out.
This laugh-out-loud middle grade novel encourages readers to explore the STEM fields while never losing its sense of fun.
About the Author Kim Kasch:
I grew up in a family with 9 kids and grandma living in the back bedroom. Not surprising that I have a few stories to tell, especially since we only had 1 t.v.
I spent my days reading and, later, trying to create another world where I could escape all those brothers and sisters-and grandma-by writing. Maybe that’s why I love books so much. Well, that and the fact that I was near the end of that long sibling-chain and never had the clout to pick the t.v. shows we watched. But I’d run home after school to catch the last fifteen minutes of Barnabus Collins in Dark Shadows…
I still love to run or maybe I should say, I love to wog (a cross between walking and jogging).
Here in Portlandia, I love Halloween themed runs – where people don costumes and run. It’s a lot of fun…and I know those two words don’t always go together: fun…and…run. But here, in the damp days of fall, I think it is.
And, with all those Halloween themed runs, I guess Dark Shadows had more of an influence than some people might think. Even today my favorite author is Stephen King. My all-time favorite book is Salem’s Lot, which might have something to do with Irma the Inventor and the Vampire Spiders 🙂
Sorry to be so long-winded but did I say I love to write, and talk, and knit, and sew, and bake… I could go on but I’ll stop by saying, I hope you’ll stop by my blog, send me a tweet, or check out my Facebook page. I’ll be sharing news about new books over there.
Thanks for listening and, hopefully, reading 🙂
Join me on Twitter or stop by and see what I’m pinning on Pinterest and, if you read Irma the Inventor and have a question or simply want to share a comment, please feel free to send me an email. I love connecting with readers.
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
Website
GIVEAWAY!!!
Enter to win a STEM prize package and a copy of Irma the Inventor and the Vampire Spiders!
Thank you, Kim, for this science-rific guest post and giveaway!
and