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Chemical World: Science in Our Daily Lives (Orca Footprints #17)
By Rowena Rae. 2020
Chemical World: Science in Our Daily Lives explores some of the materials—all of which are made of basic chemical elements—that…
humans use or come into contact with in their day-to-day lives. Some of these chemicals are naturally occurring—clay, mercury, lead. Others have been synthesized by chemists during the past 150 years and used in a bewildering array of products ranging from roof shingles to toothpaste. Many chemical inventions, as well as naturally produced chemicals, have had profound effects on food supply, developing medicines and creating hosts of useful items for modern life. Despite people using both natural and synthetic chemicals with (mainly) good intentions, some chemicals have had unintended negative consequences. Chemical residues have contaminated ecosystems the world over and are compromising the health of many ecosystems, animals and humans. The goal of Chemical World: Science in our Daily Lives is to introduce readers to basic chemistry and chemical history, and to show how chemicals are used for particular reasons but sometimes turn out to be harmful to environmental and human health. It invites readers to take a look at the world around them and ask questions about what’s in their environment and how the things they use and eat every day can affect their own health and the planet’s health.Beloved science commentator Bob McDonald takes us on a tour of our galaxy, unraveling the mysteries of the universe and…
helping us navigate our place among the stars.How big is our galaxy? Is there life on those distant planets? Are we really made of star dust? And where do stars even come from? In An Earthling’s Guide to Outer Space, we finally have the answers to all those questions and more. With clarity, wisdom, and a great deal of enthusiasm, McDonald explores the curiosities of the big blue planet we call home as well as our galactic neighbours—from Martian caves to storm clouds on Jupiter to the nebulae at the far end of the universe. So if you’re pondering how to become an astronaut, or what dark matter really is, or how an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs, look no further. Through a captivating mix of stories, experiments, and illustrations, McDonald walks us through space exploration past and present, and reveals what we can look forward to in the future. An Earthling’s Guide to Outer Space is sure to satisfy science readers of all ages, and to remind us earthbound terrestrials just how special our place in the universe truly is.50 Animals That Have Been to Space (Beginner's Guide To Space Ser.)
By John Read, Jennifer Read. 2020
Since the earliest days of flight and space travel, scientists have worked with animals to pave the way for human…
exploration. In 1783, a rooster, a duck, and a sheep were placed in a hot-air balloon, becoming the first living creatures to fly in an artificial vehicle. Since 1949, when a monkey became the first animal to reach space, many creatures followed, and most returned safely to Earth. Many experiments were designed by high-school students. From cats and dogs to chimpanzees, spiders, frogs, and even a colony of honeybees, this book tells the fascinating stories of 50 space missions featuring pioneering animals at the forefront of science.Our Environment: Everything You Need to Know
By Shelley Tanaka, Jacques Pasquet, Yves Dumont. 2019
The environment is an essential but sometimes tough and weighty concept to grasp. This engaging nonfiction book takes readers back…
to the basics, offering an accessible overview of what makes up our environment, how those parts work, and why they matter. Divided into five sections—water, air, soil, energy, and climate—the book uses facts, figures, and simple language to give an overarching survey of our environment. Questions run throughout the text, creating a spirit of inquiry. Where does the water we use every day come from? What is the atmosphere? How does pollution affect soil? What is renewable energy? What influences climate? And how do we protect our planet for the future? With an appealing design and simple drawings and diagrams to support comprehension, this book takes a positive spin on the environment, reinforcing the importance of taking care of each element. Informational text features include a table of contents, sidebars, diagrams, and glossary.Amazing Athletes: An All-Star Look at Canada's Paralympians
By Howard Scott, Phyllis Aronoff, Marie-Claude Ouellet. 2021
Extreme Survivors: Animals That Time Forgot (How Nature Works #0)
By Kimberly Ridley. 2017
Selected for the 2018 Bank Street College of Education Best STEM Children’s Books of the Year What do the goblin…
shark, horseshoe crab, the “indestructible” water bear, and a handful of other bizarre animals have in common? They are all “extreme survivors,” animals that still look much like their prehistoric ancestors from millions of years ago. Meet ten amazing animals that appear to have changed little in more than 100 million years. They are the rare exceptions to the rule. More than 99 percent of all life forms have gone extinct during the 3.6-billion-year history of life on Earth. Other organisms have changed dramatically, but not our extreme survivors. Evolution may have altered their physiology and behavior, but their body plans have stood the test of time. How have these living links with Earth’s prehistoric past survived? The search for answers is leading scientists to new discoveries about the past—and future—of life on Earth. The survival secrets of some of these ancient creatures could lead to new medicines and treatments for disease. Written in a lively, entertaining voice, Extreme Survivors provides detailed life histories and strange “survival secrets” of ten ancient animals and explains evolution and natural selection. Extensive back matter includes glossary, additional facts and geographic range for each organism and a geologic timeline of Earth. F&P Level V Advisory: Bookshare has learned that this book offers only partial accessibility. We have kept it in the collection because it is useful for some of our members. To explore further access options with us, please contact us through the Book Quality link. Benetech is actively working on projects to improve accessibility issues such as these.Junk Drawer Physics: 50 Awesome Experiments That Don't Cost a Thing
By Bobby Mercer. 2014
A children's instructional book on how to use readily available materials to turn the house into a science lab Physics…
teacher Bobby Mercer provides readers with more than 50 great hands-on experiments that can be performed for just pennies, or less. Turn a plastic cup into a pinhole camera using waxed paper, a rubber band, and a thumbtack. Build a swinging wave machine using a series of washers suspended on strings from a yardstick. Or construct your own planetarium from an empty potato chip canister, construction paper, scissors, and a pin. Each project has a materials list, detailed step-by-step instructions with illustrations, and a brief explanation of the scientific principle being demonstrated. Junk Drawer Physics also includes sidebars of fascinating physics facts, such as did you know the Eiffel Tower is six inches taller in summer than in winter because its steel structure expands in the heat? Educators and parents will find this title a handy resource to teach children about physics topics that include magnetism, electricity, force, motion, light, energy, sound, and more, and have fun at the same time.The Racecar Book: Build and Race Mousetrap Cars, Dragsters, Tri-Can Haulers & More
By Bobby Mercer. 2013
A project book for young readers with a need for speed, this work provides instruction on 25 easy-to-construct racecars that…
can be driven both indoors and out. They will learn how to use mousetraps, rubber bands, chemical reactions, gravity, and air pressure to power the cars that are made for little or no cost using recycled and repurposed materials. Readers will discover how to turn a potato chip can, a rubber band, and weights into a Chip-Can Dancer; retrofit a car with a toy plane propeller to make an air-powered Prop Car; and use an effervescent tablet in a small canister to make an impressive rocket engine for a Mini Pop Car. Each project is accompanied by a materials list, detailed step-by-step instructions with photos, and explanations of the science behind each racecar, including concepts such as friction, Newton's laws of motion, and kinetic and potential energy.Tracing the evolution of humankind's pursuit of astronomical knowledge, this resource looks deep into the furthest reaches of space. Children…
will follow along as the realization that the Earth is not at the center of the universe leads all the way up to recent telescopic proof of planets orbiting stars outside the solar system. In addition to its engaging history, this book contains 21 hands-on projects to further explore the subjects discussed. Readers will build a three-dimensional representation of the constellation Orion, see how the universe expands using an inflating balloon, and construct a reflecting telescope out of a makeup mirror and a magnifying glass. It also includes small biographies of famous astronomers, a time line of major scientific discoveries, a glossary of technical terms, and dozens of full-color images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-Ray Observatory.Awesome Snake Science!: 40 Activities for Learning About Snakes (Young Naturalists)
By Cindy Blobaum. 2012
From cobras and copperheads to pythons and boas, all types of snakes are covered in this book of 40 science…
experiments, art projects, and games that help budding herpetologists gain a greater appreciation for these slithering reptiles. Activities include making foldable fangs to learn how snakes' teeth and jaws work together; simulating cytotoxic snake venom while making a tasty snack using an everyday enzyme found in pineapple; and mimicking the sound a rattlesnake makes using a rubber band, a paper clip, and an envelope. Engaging, simple, and safe experiments teach kids about the biology of snakes, such as how they use their tongues and nostrils to detect smells, how they are cold-blooded and sensitive to subtle changes in temperature, and how they can detect the slightest vibrations or tremors. Kids do not need a snake for any of the activities and will delight in all the strange snake facts and gross-out projects such as Snake Stink--where they create their own signature stink and test how well it repels potential predators. Did you know . . . * Snakes do not need to be coiled to strike. They can strike from any position, even underwater! * Cobras and coachwhips are two of the few snakes that can move in a straight line forward while keeping their upper body raised off the ground. *Snake venom can actually help humans too! A blood pressure medicine was developed from the venom of a Brazilian pit viper, and over 60 other treatments have been created from snake venoms.Galileo for Kids: His Life and Ideas, 25 Activities (For Kids series)
By Buzz Aldrin, Richard Panchyk. 2005
Galileo, one of history's best-known scientists, is introduced in this illuminating activity book. Children will learn how Galileo's revolutionary discoveries…
and sometimes controversial theories changed his world and laid the groundwork for modern astronomy and physics. This book will inspire kids to be stargazers and future astronauts or scientists as they discover Galileo's life and work. Activities allow children to try some of his theories on their own, with experiments that include playing with gravity and motion, making a pendulum, observing the moon, and painting with light and shadow. Along with the scientific aspects of Galileo's life, his passion for music and art are discussed and exemplified by period engravings, maps, and prints. A time line, glossary, and listings of major science museums, planetariums, and web sites for further exploration complement this activity book.A detailed reference on the latest craze in lightweight aeronautics, this manual shows how to build and throw paper boomerangs.…
Techniques for mastering the basics will help beginners, while techniques for impressive throws--such as the behind-the-back toss; the boomerang juggle; the under-the-leg catch; and the dreaded double-handed, backward, double-boomerang throw--will thrill even the most advanced boomeranger. A history of the device and the physics behind its circuitous flight are also included, making this the only comprehensive reference on this fascinating toy.Amazing Rubber Band Cars: Easy-to-Build Wind-Up Racers, Models, and Toys
By Mike Rigsby. 2006
Combining fun and interactive activities, this guide will have kids captivated for hours constructing fantastic racing cars with the basics…
of only rubber bands, cardboard, and glue. These simple instructions with templates allow budding engineers to gain hands-on experience as they learn not only how to build a basic racer, but how to make modifications such as aluminum foil axle bearings, steering mechanisms, hinges, cam shafts, and wheels made out of old CDs. This helpful resource has step-by-step instructions for making a basic rubber-band model, a railroad push-car, and a high-speed racer. Other unique projects include Oscar the Laughing Clown, which has a jaw mechanism that opens and closes when it moves, and Spot the Dog, which has a moving tail. Children can even learn how to build a rubber band car big enough for a human. Exploring wheels, bearings, and friction, kids will learn not only how to make speedy racers but also the science that makes the process work.The Wind at Work: An Activity Guide to Windmills
By Gretchen Woelfle. 2012
Explaining how the wind works, what windmills have contributed to the past, and why they offer environmental promise today as…
a source of clean, renewable energy, this revised and updated edition offers a glimpse into all the current and historical uses for wind power. Featuring new information on wind energy technology and wind farms, new photographs, and 24 wind-related activities--from keeping track of household energy use and conducting science experiments to cooking traditional meals and creating arts and crafts--this handy resource offers kids interested in the science of energy and green technologies an engaging, interactive, and contemporary overview of wind power.Doable Renewables: 16 Alternative Energy Projects for Young Scientists
By Mike Rigsby. 2010
Kids will learn valuable hands-on lessons from this guide by constructing working models that generate renewable, alternative energy. Budding scientists…
learn how to build their own Kelvin water-drop generator out of six recycled cans and alligator-clip jumpers; a solar-powered seesaw from a large dial thermometer and a magnifying glass; and a windmill from eight yardsticks, PVC pipe, cardboard, and a converter generator. Children will investigate the energy-generating properties of a solar cell, a radiometer, a Nitinol heat engine, and a Peltier cell--there are even plans to build a human-powered desk lamp. Each project includes a materials and tools list as well as online information on where to find specialized components.Deserts: An Activity Guide for Ages 6–9
By Nancy Castaldo. 2004
This activity guide introduces children to the wild and often misunderstood environment of the desert and the people and cultures…
that thrive in and around them. Information is included on all types of deserts--hot and dry, coastal, semiarid, and polar. Kids learn what defines a desert and the creative ways plants and animals have adapted to survive in harsh desert environments. Also discussed are urban sprawl and its effects on desert habitats and how children can help protect this delicate environment by conserving energy and reducing consumption of petroleum-based products. Engaging activities include drawing a petroglyph, making a coral snake bracelet, frying prickly pears, conducting a gerbil study, and making sand art.With detailed, step-by-step instructions, this richly illustrated science project book shows how to construct and safely launch homemade balloons. Some…
designs, including the Solar Tetroon or the Giant Solar Sausage, are made from garbage bags and tape, while others, such as the Khom Loi, are created from tissue paper and wire; yet all of the projects use inexpensive, readily available materials and are easy to construct with only basic crafting skills. Ever safety conscious, this manual provides detailed guidelines for various methods to heat the interior air that lifts the balloons, including when and where open flames are appropriate, and the proper weather conditions to launch these creations. With a full chapter on troubleshooting, should a design fail to fly, this book will make balloon engineers of just about anyone.Calling all future Amelia Earharts and Chuck Yeagers--there's more than one way to get off the ground. Author and physics…
teacher Bobby Mercer will show readers 35 easy-to-build and fun-to-fly contraptions that can be used indoors or out. Better still, each of these rockets, gliders, boomerangs, launchers, and helicopters are constructed for little or no cost using recycled materials. The Flying Machine Book will show readers how to turn rubber bands, paper clips, straws, plastic bottles, and index cards into amazing, gravity-defying flyers. Learn how to turn a drinking straw, rubber band, and index card into a Straw Rocket, or convert a paper towel tube into a Grape Bazooka. Empty water bottles can be transformed into Plastic Zippers and Bottle Rockets, and ordinary paper can be cut and folded to make a Fingerrangs--a small boomerang--or a Maple Key Helicopter. Each project contains a material list and detailed step-by-step instructions with photos. Mercer also includes explanations of the science behind each flyer, including concepts such as lift, thrust, and drag, the Bernoulli effect, and more. Readers can use this information to modify and improve their flyers, or explain to their teachers why throwing a paper airplane is a mini science lesson. Bobby Mercer has been sharing the fun of free flight for over two decades as a high school physics teacher. He is the author of several books and lives with his family outside of Asheville, North Carolina.Darwin and Evolution for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities (For Kids series)
By Kristan Lawson. 2003
Darwin and Evolution for Kids traces the transformation of a privileged and somewhat scatterbrained youth into the great thinker who…
proposed the revolutionary theory of evolution. Through 21 hands-on activities, young scientists learn about Darwin's life and work and assess current evidence of evolution. Activities include going on a botanical treasure hunt, keeping field notes as a backyard naturalist, and tying knots for ship sails like those on the HMS Beagle. Children also learn how fossils are created, trace genetic traits through their family trees, and discover if acquired traits are passed along to future generations. By encouraging children, parents, and teachers to define the differences between theories and beliefs, facts and opinions, Darwin and Evolution for Kids does not shy away from a theory that continues to spark heated public debate more than a century after it was first proposed.Insectigations: 40 Hands-on Activities to Explore the Insect World (Young Naturalists)
By Cindy Blobaum. 2005
From butterflies and beetles to crickets and katydids, these experiments, art projects, and games will bring out the entomologist in…
every kid. Activities include collecting and sketching insects, making a terrarium for observation, raising mealworms, using math to measure bug strength, gardening to attract butterflies and other insects, and making an insect amplifier. A unique insect board game helps kids learn fascinating bug facts while they play. Sidebars offer a look into the world of professional entomology, as well as gross facts about insects that will provide great playground trivia, including the USDA's guidelines for allowable insect parts per cup of food. Kids will learn that science is not just something to read about, but something they can observe and study in the world around them.