An historical account of extreme weather events and climate patterns, including human events leading up to observable changes, the people involved in studying trends, and the lingering aftermath.
A historical account of the Human Genome Project, including the events that made genome sequencing possible, the people involved, the competition between public and private sectors, and the ways in which its effects are felt today.
An in-depth study of alien abductions, examining legends, popular reports, and scientific evidence that supports or refutes the mysterious phenomena.
Did you know about one third of high school students take steroids to improve their looks, not just their athletic skills? Steroid use is becoming a major issue among 12- to 18-year-olds today. This helpful and informative book looks at the pressures young people are under to look cut and perform well in sports. Special chapters examine the effects of anabolic steroids on the developing bodies and minds of young people and how difficult it can be to quit when you've got the edge.
Crystal meth is more addictive than heroin or cocaine and is widely available on the streets of North America. This helpful book looks at the use and abuse of meth, an inexpensive and accessible drug that takes an unbelievable toll on the bodies and brains of users. Special chapters on seeking help, and treatment and recovery provide accurate and useful information on meth addiction and treatment.
In this thought-provoking title, readers learn about the commercial journey behind their favorite clothing and how their own buying choices impact the world. Learn all about the supply chain, the conditions workers endure in sweatshops, and who makes money on the final purchase price of a garment.
In this fascinating title, readers find out about the food supply chain, fair trade, and how our eating habits affect our health. With debate boxes and contemporary case studies, readers also discover the environmental impacts their food purchases have on the planet.
Hurricane Harvey takes an in-depth look at the destruction wrought by 2017?s Hurricane Harvey in Texas and the Gulf Coast and the ensuing cleanup efforts. Features include essential facts, a glossary, selected bibliography, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes! The Wright Brothers have been plucked from history books and their lives and accomplishments have been depicted in informative nonfiction graphic novels. The subjects' birth, childhood, education, and flights have been skillfully told with detailed art. Further reading lists, timelines, glossaries, and indexes make these titles useful in classroom discussion.
Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes! George Washington Carver has been plucked from history books and his life and accomplishments have been depicted in an informative nonfiction graphic novel. The subject's birth, childhood, education, and inventions have been skillfully told with detailed art. Further reading lists, timelines, glossaries, and indexes make these titles useful in classroom discussion.
Graphic novels aren't just for superheroes! Booker T. Washington has been plucked from history books and his life and accomplishments have been depicted in an informative nonfiction graphic novel. The subject's birth, childhood, education, and contributions have been skillfully told with detailed art. Further reading lists, timelines, glossaries, and indexes make these titles useful in classroom discussion.
From Spain’s Antonio Gaudi to France’s Le Corbusier, Iraq’s Zaha Hadid, and America’s Norma Sklarek, the first black woman to get a degree in architecture, this book profiles 12 prominent architects from around the world. Each chapter includes attention-grabbing photos, biographical details, and fascinating facts. Sidebars go beyond the basics, and prompts invite readers to think for themselves. Additional mini-bios encourage further exploration.
From ancient wonders like the pyramids to tall modern skyscrapers, people have long been fascinated by building great structures. While many are constructed to solve problems, some are built purely for entertainment. Learn more about the engineering wonders of our past, present, and future.
On the Origin of Species is a work of scientific literature by Charles Darwin which is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology. Darwin's book introduced the scientific theory that populations evolve over the course of generations through a process of natural selection. It presented a body of evidence that the diversity of life arose by common descent through a branching pattern of evolution. Darwin included evidence that he had gathered on the Beagle expedition in the 1830s and his subsequent findings from research, correspondence, and experimentation.
One Earth profiles Black, Indigenous and People of Color who live and work as environmental defenders. Through their individual stories, the book shows that the intersection of environment and ethnicity is an asset to achieving environmental goals. The twenty short biographies introduce readers to diverse activists from all around the world, who are of many ages and ethnicities. From saving ancient trees on the West Coast of Canada, to protecting the Irrawaddy dolphins of India, to uncovering racial inequalities in the food system in the United States, these environmental heroes are celebrated by author and biologist Anuradha Rao, who outlines how they went from being kids who cared about the environment to community leaders in their field. One Earth is full of environmental role models waiting to be found.
Space probes, self-assembling robots, crash-absorbing cars, and designer proteins all have one thing in common: their use of folding technologies. To develop these technologies, engineers are taking inspiration from an unusual source—origami, the ancient art of paper folding. Examine origami's origins, how it intersects with mathematics, and how it became a tool to solve some of the most complicated challenges in engineering, architecture, technology, and medicine today. Plus, get a close-up look at these technologies with two augmented reality images included in the book!
Over the past 50 years, scientists have made incredible progress in the application of genetic research to human health care and disease treatment. Innovative tools and techniques, including gene therapy and CRISPR-Cas9 editing, can treat inherited disorders that were previously untreatable, or prevent them from happening in the first place. You can take a DNA test to learn where your ancestors are from. Police officers can use genetic evidence to identify criminals—or innocents. And some doctors are using new medical techniques for unprecedented procedures. Genomics: A Revolution in Health and Disease Discovery delves into the history, science, and ethics behind recent breakthroughs in genetic research. Authors Whitney Stewart and Hans Andersson, MD, present fascinating case studies that show how real people have benefitted from genetic research. Though the genome remains full of mysteries, researchers and doctors are working hard to uncover its secrets and find the best ways to treat patients and cure diseases. The discoveries to come will inform how we target disease treatment, how we understand our health, and how we define our very identities.
Containing 97 percent of Earth's water supply, the ocean plays a huge role in regulating global temperatures, supporting plant and animal life, and contributing to the livelihoods of millions of people. But in spite of all this, the ocean remains drastically unexplored, and the details of its impact on human lives aren't fully understood. Scientists from around the world are realizing that to address issues plaguing the ocean, such as dead zones, coral bleaching, and climate change, we need to better understand this incredible, unique feature of our planet. With a range of impressive, cutting-edge technologies at their disposal, oceanographers have set out to measure, sample, and analyze at every turn. Every day, mysteries about the ocean are being solved, and every day, new questions come to light. The more scientists learn, the better they are able to answer these new questions. What lies in the deep? And who is at the forefront of these exciting discoveries? The scientists and research included in this book shed light on the most pressing issues currently facing oceanographers and point us in the right direction to solving these challenges.
In January 2009, a mysterious software developer, Satoshi Nakamoto, exchanged a specially designed code with another developer. The code was a digital currency that Nakamoto had proposed several months before in a paper titled “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System.” This was the first Bitcoin transaction. Since then, Bitcoin has become the face of a tech revolution in digital cryptocurrencies based on blockchain technology. Its success has sparked a tech revolution that could fundamentally change global economics. Delve into the world of coders, libertarians, criminals, financial regulators, and crypto-detectives to understand what digital cryptocurrencies have to offer, their limitations and potential pitfalls, security issues, and how they may affect government and financial regulations in the future.
The best part about coding is that anyone with a computer can learn how to do it. From education to healthcare to entertainment, software touches almost every aspect of twenty-first century life. Take a high-level perspective on the types of people who create that software—including many jobs that do not involve writing code at all. Learn about the software development cycle and the huge variety of skills developers draw on, including psychology, mathematics, and art, to create amazing apps and programs. Explore why diversity is needed to prevent bias in design. Learn about the different coding languages and what they are used for, how developers choose a language, and tools that simplify coding. Jennifer Connor-Smith breaks down stereotypes about coding as a career that is open only to technology-obsessed gamers, revealing ways people use software to improve medical care, nurture dementia patients, promote social justice, and more. Hands-on activities show you how easy it is to learn to think like a coder. The next generation of coders will require diverse teams, creativity, and ethical codes of conduct to create the best and most successful software. Will you be one of them?
We cannot prevent volcanic eruptions, but we can try to minimize their impact on humans. This interesting book examines what scientists know about eruptions, whether we can predict them, and how we learn from each one. By studying the destruction they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict volcanic eruptions and make cities, buildings, and people safer. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
We cannot prevent heat waves or droughts, but we can try to minimize their impact on humans. This important book examines what scientists know about extreme heat events, whether we can predict them, and how we learn from each one. By studying the harm they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict extreme weather and make cities, buildings, and people safer. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
We cannot prevent blizzards and ice storms, but we can learn how to minimize their impact on humans. This informative book examines what scientists know about extreme ice and snowfalls, whether we can predict them, and how we learn from each event. By studying the destruction they cause, scientists and engineers continue to come up with new and improved technologies to predict winter storms and make cities, buildings, and people safer. Case studies and brief bios of key scientists and organizations highlight the information.
Develop your STEAM skills as you design and build your very own transportation hub. This book contains step-by-step projects that give you clear instructions to make every element a model transportation hub needs, including a helicopter, cable cars, and roadways.
Develop your STEAM skills as you design and build your very own theater and movie set. This book contains step-by-step projects that give you clear instructions to make every element a model theater and movie set needs, including sets, trap doors, and special effects.
