Agricultural engineers are in the front line in the challenge to provide a secure food supply for our world. This timely book explores how engineers design methods, as well as machinery for growing and harvesting crops, to make farming more efficient. Real-life examples help students understand key concepts related to this important profession. With an overview of the engineering design process, readers are encouraged to apply the same steps into their own agricultural engineering challenge.
Animals are endangered in many kinds of habitats and for different reasons. This intriguing book looks at why some animals have become endangered due to changes in their habitat. Examples include animals in the Arctic that rely on ice for hunting face the challenge of melting ice due to climate change, the populations of animals born only on particular islands and nowhere else are shrinking, and many kinds of ocean animals are being poisoned by water pollution. Ideas are included to encourage readers to help protect these endangered animals and their habitats.
This entertaining book shows how animals communicate to share information, attract mates, or scare away enemies. They sing, growl, howl, spray smelly scents, and make their body parts bigger. Students will have fun learning about these communication skills and be asked to compare their communication methods with those of animals.
Animals adapt, or change, to stay alive. Adaptation can happen in an animal’s body or in the way it behaves. Some adaptations have taken place over many years, and others are caused by changing habitats due to the actions of people. This informative book shows animal adaptations due to changing climates, habitat changes, and opportunistic behaviors that help animals survive, such as the creation of new species. The coywolf, for example, is a new species. It is part coyote and part wolf, and has a much greater chance of survival than either of the animals that created it.
People have learned a lot from animals and copied many of their ways of surviving. This interesting book details many, often surprising, examples: bird flight and airplanes; defensive equipment such as helmets and turtle shells; strong spiderlike threads for surgeries; heating and cooling systems such as those created by termites; camouflage patterns on uniforms or vehicles in battle; and animal prints copied in fashions and decorations.
This fun title asks readers to think about how different body coverings protect animals by keeping them warm and safe. From fur and feathers to scales and shells, readers get a close-up look at different animal coats to see how they suit the habitats and lives of the animals that are covered in them.
Deserts - both hot and cold - are home to animals that have adapted to dry conditions. From snakes to oryx, this title features enticing color photographs and engaging text that encourage readers to learn about these fascinating, and growing biomes.
Swamps, bogs, marshes are all wetland biomes teaming with life. Located on every continent except Antarctica, wetlands are diverse and necessary for a healthy planet. Readers will enjoy learning about swamp creatures such as alligators and snakes, and the many kinds of fish and plants that thrive in wetlands.
This engaging title introduces readers to one of the the richest biomes in the world - the rain forest. A special section on this habitat under threat helps readers use their mapping skills to research endangered rainforest animals.
Oceans cover 70 percent of Earth and make up the biggest biome on the planet! This title maps the territories and migration routes of animals in ocean, coral reef, and estuary biomes. Readers are asked to engage in a biome mapping activity to help reinforce understanding of the fragility of these water habitats.
Some of the world’s most interesting animals - lions, cheetahs, and bison - live on grasslands. These fragile ecosystems are often taken for granted and have been nearly wiped out in many places around the world. This colorful book introduces readers to this fascinating but constantly threatened landscape.
Mountains are alpine biomes, which are home to an intriguing number of plants and animals. Some mountain animals, such as the yak, have been adapted for agriculture by humans. This intriguing book soars to new heights with simple-to-understand maps and detailed facts about an often-overlooked biome.
This informative title describes the details of three real case studies of investigative journalism about the environment. Stories include journalists following a trail of electronic waste to Africa, chemical pollution by a company affecting people's health, and unfair use of water resources. Readers will gain an understanding of the research process, the ethical standards journalists must follow, and the perseverance required to confirm a story and affect change.
Discover how a tiny seed grows to become a pumpkin with the help of water, sunlight, air, and soil.
Read about the things that change outdoors with the season, including the hours of sunlight and the temperature.
Everything in nature has an opposite, or at least, that is the way people describe things that are the most unlike. This engaging book shows these extreme differences in sizes, colors and light, texture, smell and taste, the states of water, landforms, positions and directions on Earth, seasons, and even in people. An activity spread asks children to find opposite characteristics in a group of animals.
Take a captivating journey across the continent of Europe to view the incredible array of plants and animals that live, hunt, and hide in Europe’s distinct habitats. Stunning photographs take you along the vast length of the Danube River, through ancient Caledonian pine forests, up active volcanoes, and across the Alps.
Modern transportation lets us travel farther and faster than ever before, but these developments have come at a cost. This book explores ways we can move around without harming the planet. Case studies show how scientists are working on cleaner fuels and new forms of transportation in order to prevent pollution, which affects people’s health, and greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Find out how we can contribute by changing our own transportation habits.
Plastic pollution is one of the most urgent environmental problems facing our planet. This timely title shows how we can stop plastics from doing further harm. Find out what plastics are, how they are made, and why they are so widely used. Case studies reveal the negative impact of plastics, especially micro beads and single-use plastics, on the oceans and coasts, as well as in our landfills and food chains.
Most of our energy has come from oil, gas, and coal. Find out how we can heat and light our buildings, travel, and power our computers and devices without harming the planet in this resourceful title. Extracting resources damages the environment, and burning them contributes to global warming, harms our health, and pollutes the air and water. Case studies show how scientists are investigating renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, how to make homes and buildings more energy efficient, and how we can use less energy by changing our own behavior.
More than half the world’s population live in cities, and that number is rising. Find out how we can create buildings and cities without harming the environment in this informative title. The growth of cities can lead to overcrowding, pollution from transportation and factories, and the release of greenhouse gases from buildings. Case studies show how scientists, architects, and planners are investigating how to build more energy-efficient houses and more sustainable cities.
This beautifully illustrated title explores the wonderful world of the slithering snail. Snails have a silvery, sticky mucus that they leave behind as they move. One of the slowest creatures on Earth, they move at a top speed of 45 miles per hour (1 cm per second). Find out more fascinating snail facts in this colorful book
This beautifully illustrated title explores the wonderful world of creepy-crawling centipedes and many-legged millipedes! These wonders of nature use their many legs to scurry around in dark, damp places looking for food and shelter. Find out more about these amazing movers.
This beautifully illustrated title explores the wonderful world of tiny ants. Did you know that ants would eat almost anything they can find, including fruit, fungus and dead animals? Find out more fascinating ant facts with this wonderful book.
Develop your STEAM skills as you design and build your very own biosphere and mini garden. This book contains step-by-step projects that give you clear instructions to make every element a model biosphere and mini garden needs, including a dome, water fountain, and pathways.
