Forrest Mims' Science Experiments: DIY Projects from the Pages of Make:

by Forrest M. Mims III

Forrest M. Mims is a revered contributor to magazine, where his popular columns about science-related topics and projects for Makers are evergreen treasures. Collected together here for the first time, these columns range from such simple projects as building an LED tracker for hand-launched night rockets to such challenging builds as transforming strings of data into unique musical compositions.A variety of photography and imaging projects are featured, including an ultra-sensitive twilight photometer that measures the elevation of layers of dust, smoke, and smog from around 3,000 feet to the top of the stratosphere at 31 miles! Most of the projects can be done with a collection of simple electronic components, such as LEDs, transistors, resistors, and batteries. To inspire and motivate readers, the book also includes profiles of such famous Makers as President Thomas Jefferson and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

224 pages, ebook

Published August 3, 2016

About the author

Forrest M. Mims III is an amateur scientist, magazine columnist, and author of the popular Getting Started in Electronics and Engineer's Mini-Notebook series of instructional books that was originally sold in Radio Shack electronics stores. Mims graduated from Texas A&M University in 1966 with a major in government and minors in English and history. He became a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force.

Although he has no formal academic training in science,Mims has had a successful career as a science author, researcher, lecturer and syndicated columnist.

Reviews

[American Mensa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exiting, experimental story.
Did you ever want to measure the sun’s path along the sky? Well, this book is for you. This brilliant book, written by the Forrest Mims, is filled with nature-related experiments including; building a twilight photometer, studying the age of a tree by counting tree rings, snow science (no two are alike), and more. The experiments are not too easy, and you will need to ask your parents for some of the stuff, but all of them are fun. You will also learn other stuff about experiments, like documenting your experiments, what to do if your experiments fail, and the kit that launched the tech revolution. You will also learn some interesting facts about Thomas Jefferson!
One of my favorite experiments was the part with the tree rings. It was very informational to me. I knew how to study tree rings, but this book tells me more about it.

I think that this book will be fun for children ages 10 and up. I give this book four stars because I like it, but I wish it was less complicated.
Reviewed by Lila H., 10, Central Pennsylvania Mensa

[Richard Pavlovsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forrest Mims is an inspiration. I didn’t know he was so close to the founding of the modern personal computer or that he lived so close to me. I think that Forrest mims And Mendel (genetics) are kindred souls. They have an insatiable thirst for understanding and experimentation and you can do a lot with a simple notebook or Led diode.

[Patrick DiJusto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forrest M. Mims is a revered contributor to Make: magazine, where his popular columns about science-related topics and projects for Makers are evergreen treasures. Collected together here for the first time, these columns range from such simple projects as building an LED tracker for hand-launched night rockets to such challenging builds as transforming strings of data into unique musical compositions.

I edited this book and worked on the cover as well.