Robotics, the Internet, and computers are some of the most signifcant technology breakthroughs of the last hundred years. This book identifies the pioneers of technology and how their innovations have revolutionized our world. Readers will enjoy reading the stories behind each historic invention as well as the mini bios of the technology "STEM-gineers" who made them. Experiments and research challenges help reinforce concepts.
How long did it take to build the Great Wall of China? Why is the Golden Gate Bridge the most iconic bridge in the world? These and other great structure-related questions are answered in this engaging title. Clever infographics, and infographic-like icons make it easy to access useful facts and numbers.
This book takes students on a journey from the traditional practices of the Far East to modern Western medicine. Looking at the sometimes mysterious treatments and their applications, Mysterious Healing seeks explanations for the amazing healing powers that people claim to have seen and experienced.
Is there some mysterious force of nature that has a sense of humor, causing seemingly unexplained and bizarre things to happen on Earth? Flying omelets and shoals of fish falling out of the sky may have perfectly sensible explanations, but how do we explain the way that twins separated at birth have time and again followed the same path through life? In this intriguing book, scientists use science and chaos theory to try to explain the Cosmic Joker.
For centuries, falling water has been used in parts of the world to create energy to run grinding stones at mills and irrigation systems for crops. This interesting book shows how the use of this “clean” form of energy, called hydroelectricity, is being expanded to help us build a more sustainable future. Discover how other forms of water-based energy, such as energy from ocean waves and tides, are being harnessed and used to help create electricity to power our homes, offices, and factories.
This engaging book describes the properties of light waves, how they move, and the way our eyes receive them. Readers will learn that we see an object when light reflects from its surface and into the eye. A link to interactive activities online plus an activity in the book allow readers to create models that explore how to redirect and block the path a light wave travels.
What happens when you flip a light switch or press the power button on the TV? Electricity flows to the device and it turns on. Most of us use electrical gadgets all day, every day, without thinking about it. This book follows the journey from source to resource of solar power, one of the most exciting forms of renewable energy today. Readers will learn how electricity is made and collected directly from the sun and how it reaches us to power our modern world. Other sources of energy are also examined, as well as how grids work to move electricity across land and sea, and how it is fed into our homes. Real-world examples look at solar farms, solar furnaces, solar towers, and even solar transportation. With the world's nonrenewable resources such as oil running out, the advantages and disadvantages of solar power as a renewable alternative are discussed.
Most of us eat three full meals a day, but where does the food that reaches our plates, stocks our fridges, and fills the supermarket shelves come from? This informative book shows how methods of growing, using, and delivering food - one of the most vital resources to humans - have developed and changed throughout time. Find out about the history of food production and present-day methods of farming. Learn about food delivery, the processes used to preserve and store food to make it last longer, how different foods are prepared, and food safety. Real-world examples encourage discussion of the ethics and worldwide impact of the production, distribution, and consumption of this global resource.
This timely book looks at the world's production of oil and our dependence on this natural resource. The majority of today's forms of transportation run on fuel that comes from oil, and hundreds of thousands of the items we use every day come from oil or oil-based products. Readers will find out about the origins of oil and its first use in industry, and learn how it is found, mined, and processed into many different products that are used all over the world. Real-world examples also consider the environmental and human disasters related to oil, encouraging discussion of the ethics and worldwide impact of the production, distribution, and consumption of this global resource. Possible alternatives to using oil are also discussed now that this important, non-renewable natural resource is running out.
Most of us use water all day, every day, without thinking about it. But how does it get to our homes? From the pitter patter of raindrops to the whoosh of water from the shower, this book follows the journey from the source to the resource. Water is one of the most vital natural resources for humans, and we use it in abundance for more than just drinking water. It is used in household chores, leisure activities, and in work and industry. Readers will learn about where water comes from and the water cycle, as well as how water is stored, treated, and pumped around the country and into our homes. Real-world examples consider the environmental impact of our water use and how we can reduce consumption in our daily lives, and how many people live in places around the world that do not have a reliable water supply and rely on local methods to clean water that is in short supply.
Imagine your family had to choose between sending you to school or having enough food to eat. This book tells how William Kamkwamba was forced to drop out of his school in Wimbe, Malawi, when a famine struck his village and his family, who relied on farming, could no longer afford his tuition fee. Instead of giving up on his education, William visited his local library often. It was here that he read a book about wind power. At the age of 14, William used what he learned from the book to build a windmill that brought power to his family’s home. He has since built his village’s first drinking water pump. William’s ingenuity, perseverance, and initiative are an inspiration to many people around the world.
Human activity often leaves a trail of harmful carbon behind that directly impacts our planet. This informative book describes how every individual produces a “carbon footprint” by using energy made by burning fossil fuels and by creating waste from packaging that gets thrown away. Find out how to measure your own carbon footprint and see what effect you are having on Earth. Learn about new developments being made to reduce the amount of carbon we create and what steps you can take to make your own "footprint" smaller.
This inspiring book describes how people are becoming more aware of the effect of their daily activities on the planet. Find out how more and more people are eating and living "green" by buying food grown locally, eating food that is organic, and even growing their own food. Many people are also building eco-friendly homes and choosing to live “off the grid,” which means they are creating their own, sustainable forms of energy instead of getting electricity from a power station. Discover how eating and living green is becoming more and more possible, and why this way of living could help build a sustainable future for the next generation.
This exciting book makes you a math problem solver by putting you into situations faced by people who work in construction. Math is an important part of many jobs involved in building structures. Three exciting stories lead to a problem you must solve using math. A toolbox section helps take you through similar examples and provides math exercises you can do that will help give you a better understanding of how to solve the problem in the story.
Why are the first years of learning so important? What happens at puberty, and how is it different for boys and girls? Your Growing Body and Remarkable Reproductive System is a frank and sensitive journey through the body's developmental stages: how we are born, grow, and age. Every spread opens with an amazing science fact about the human body, then goes on to explain the science behind the fact. Detailed diagrams and amazing images illustrate the lively text.
Travel back in time to the big bang, and learn about the formation of the universe. Explore the baffling world of black holes, and find out how scientists are searching for alien life. Discover the strangest sights of the universe, from quirky quasars to clouds that smell like raspberries.
What are bones made of? Which is the biggest and which is the smallest? What different types of muscle are there, and what jobs do they do? Your Strong Skeleton and Amazing Muscular System takes readers on an entertaining tour of the body's skeletal and muscular systems. Every spread opens with an amazing science fact about the human body, then goes on to explain the science behind the fact. Detailed diagrams and amazing images illustrate the lively text.
Learn all about the sparkling world of stars from their beautiful births to their dramatic deaths. This fun book describes our very own star, the Sun, as well as best-friend binary star pairs and dense neutron stars. Gaze at gorgeous galaxies and marvel at the Milky Way.
Uncover the amazing story of astronomy from telescopes in space to outstanding observatories. Learn about the latest space probes, how rockets lift off, and what it's like living in the weightlessness of space. And find out about the remarkable astronauts who have spacewalked their way into history.
What is blood made of? Is it always red? How does blood reach your toes and travel back to the heart again? Your Hardworking Heart and Spectacular Circulatory System takes readers on an entertaining tour of the body's heart and circulatory system. Every spread opens with an amazing science fact about the human body, then goes on to explain the science behind the fact. Detailed diagrams and amazing images illustrate the lively text.
Why is breathing in harder than breathing out? Why does talking depend on breathing? Your Breathtaking Lungs and Rocking Respiratory System takes readers on an entertaining tour of the lungs and the process of breathing. Every spread opens with an amazing science fact about the human body, then goes on to explain the science behind the fact. Detailed diagrams and amazing images illustrate the lively text.
What does the liver do? What happens to all the food we eat? Why does the small intestine need to be so long? Your Growling Guts and Dynamic Digestive System takes readers on an entertaining tour of the body's different digestive organs and the process of digestion. Every spread opens with an amazing science fact about the human body, then goes on to explain the science behind the fact. Detailed diagrams and amazing images illustrate the lively text.
How are memories formed? How do we learn? How does your brain control your body functions? Your Mind-Bending Brain and Networking Nervous System takes readers on an entertaining tour of the body's brain and nervous system. Every spread opens with an amazing science fact about the human body, then goes on to explain the science behind the fact. Detailed diagrams and amazing images illustrate the lively text.
Explore our stunning solar system and learn about its eight planets from mini Mercury to giant Jupiter. Find out about marvelous moons and mighty meteorites, and be dazzled by curious comets and eccentric exoplanets.
In this exciting title, Joe and Dr. Bea blast off on an expedition into space! Join the two scientists as they explore life on board the International Space Station (ISS), experience a spacewalk, study the planets, and discover the beauty - and dangers - of our solar system.
