A time of questions and new ways of thinking marked the scientific world during the Renaissance. Follow along as the greatest minds of the time make enormous leaps and bounds toward enlightened thinking. Learn how the role of a scientist evolved. See the efforts made to increase man's understanding of the natural universe.
This incredible book provides a snapshot of the often surprising technologies developed by various ancient civilizations. Engaging illustrations, detailed timelines, and fascinating information bring back to life the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia, Africa, China, and more. Read about iron smelting by the Celts, the construction of the Great Wall in China, how mummies were made and buried in Egypt, and sword making in Japan.
This colorful book describes the geological makeup and history of the Kalahari Desert in Africa. Covering most of Botswana, as well as portions of Namibia and South Africa, the Kalahari is not a true desert because it receives more than ten inches (250 mm) of rain each year. But the rain drains and evaporates quickly leaving no water on the surface of the red sand. Readers will learn about the variety of habitats in this vast desert system that support many different kinds of plants and animals such as springboks, giraffes, elephants, and zebras. Special sections also describe the Kalahari's natural resources, indigenous people, and the unique problems facing this region.
This intriguing book describes the geological makeup and history of the Gobi Desert in Mongolia and China. Temperatures can get very cold and frost and snow are not unusual. Readers will learn about the variety of habitats in this vast desert system that support many different kinds of plants and animals such as camels, snow leopards, and bears. The Gobi Desert is also where the first dinosaur egg fossils were found. Special sections describe the desert's natural resources, such as copper and gold, and the unique problems facing this region such as the desert's alarming rate of desertification.
This intriguing book shows how this group's unusal members are generally classified according to an absence of a feature, such as the lack of complicated cell structure. Learn about such exotic organisms as algae, amoebae, and slime moldsall of them protists. Case histories examine the importance of plankton to the marine food chains and the role of protists in various diseases.
Water plays a vital role in nearly every bodily function, including regulating temperature and removing toxins. Fiber is essential for gastrointestinal health. This compelling book examines how fiber and water work together to help our digestive tracts run smoothly.
Our organs, bones, muscles, skin, and hair either contain or are made of proteins. This engaging title explains how our bodies break down large protein molecules into the amino acids that our bodies need to maintain our muscles, bones, blood, and body organs.
Minerals boost our immune systems, support normal growth and development, and help cells and organs function. This engaging title explores the roles of key minerals, such as calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.
We all know that vitamins are necessary for proper growth and good health. But what vitamins do we need and how does our body use them? This informative title identifies essential vitamins and explains how our bodies absorb them.
Even though carbohydrates have been given a bad rap in recent years, they are essential for maintaining good health. This fascinating title examines the chemical structure of carbohydrates and explains the differences between simple and complex carbohydrates.
There is a great deal of fuss about fat! Fat is an essential nutrient for optimal health, however too much fat can lead to health problems. This informative title helps clear up the confusion about this controversial nutrient.
In 1912, German meteorologist Alfred Wegener proposed that the continents were once a single land mass but had slowly moved apart over millions of years. This fascinating book examines the scientific process behind Wegener's theory and how it challenged prevailing views of the time. Learn how years after Wegener's death his theory was embraced by scientists and is now the basis for modern earth science.
Learn how John Dalton developed his influential theory that explains the shape, structure, and behavior of atoms. This title also explores how Dalton's major breakthrough made later discoveries, such as atomic fission, possible.
This engaging title examines how Darwin developed his controversial theory of evolution, including his research methods and the data gathered during his extensive voyages. The book also explores the controversies that developed around the publication of Darwins theory of natural selection and how the debate continues today.
French chemist Louis Pasteur made several significant contributions to the world of science. This intriguing book examines how Pasteur uncovered the basis of the modern germ theory. Readers will learn how Pasteur's theory helped him develop vaccines for anthrax, rabies, and other diseases and how his work continues to influence modern medicine.
This fascinating new title examines the sequence of events that led to the formation of cell theory. In 1665, scientist Robert Hooke published Micrographia, the first significant work focused on miscroscopial observation. His groundbreaking work inspired scientists and led to the creation of this fundamental biological principle that shaped modern biology.
This exciting book examines how Sir Isaac Newton developed three basic laws that govern the way in which objects move. Readers will learn how Newton expanded on the work of other great scientists, including Galileo and Copernicus, to make his important discovery. The book also explains how Newtons laws have influenced modern science and technology in areas such as sports and transportation.
This informative book follows the St. Lawrence River, once a main route of the fur and timber trades. This important commercial waterway forms part of the boundary between Canada and the United States and connects the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. Today, a system of canals, dams, and locks lets seagoing ships travel all the way to Lake Superior.
The Nile is the worlds longest river and the birthplace of one of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world. This book takes readers along the River in the Sand. Ancient Egyptians depended on the Niles annual floods to deposit fertile soil for farming. Today, more than 70 million people still grow crops in the rivers basin and fish in its waters.
This wonderful book takes readers along the mighty Mississippi. Often celebrated in music and literature, its exploration by explorers spurred the growth of a new nation. Today, the Mississippi not only provides transportation for agricultural and industrial goods but also supplies water for millions of people.
The scientific contributions of the early Islamic empires to science, medicine, and mathematics is considerable. This revealing book explores: their public hospitals, libraries, and universities; their achievements in mathematics and astronomy, and the pursuit of alchemy; Arabic numbers; optics; music and musical instruments; poetry; and education.
Who are we, really? We share traits with our parents, but our genetic makeup is unique. Each one of us is a one-and-only creation. Through colorful photos, diagrams, and text, you can learn about genetics. See how the simple pea plant taught us the rules of inheritance. Find out how our genetic code is unlocking the mystery of where we came from and our connections with all living things.
All life starts with a set of instructions that can turn basic cells into hearts, tails, flower petals, or toenails. DNA is the amazing code of life that is found in every organism. Through colorful photos, diagrams, and text, you can learn how DNA is passed from cell to cell, controlling growth and change in all living things. Find out how we can use the properties of DNA to save endangered animals and even to catch criminals!
From insects to elephants, every living thing on this planet is made up of cells, the tiny building blocks of plant and animal life. Each cell is alive-and each has work to do! What do cells look like? How do millions and billions of cells work together to form one plant, one animal, or one human being? Guided by colorful photos, diagrams, and text, you can take a closer look at the amazing world of cell science-and see what's next.
This engaging and informative book explores the science of simple machines and how it relates to the exciting field of mechanical engineering. Readers will learn how mechanical engineers design and innovate machines we use every day. Readers then apply the engineering design process to tackle a design challenge of their own.
