From trees and plants to bugs and birds, every living thing on Earth is a form of energy. And all living organisms create energy, too, in the form of their waste. The energy of living things is called biomass, and it can be used to power the things that we need in our everyday lives, from washing machines, cars, and computers to the heating and lighting used in our buildings. Find out more about biomass, how it is sourced and used, and why this form of energy could help us find a more sustainable way to power our lives in the future.
How are many people in different places around the world learning to live in a green and sustainable way? Find out how human activities such as driving cars and wasting energy are threatening our environment and putting the future of our planet at risk. Discover how people everywhere are choosing to live more sustainably by recycling, using green sources of energy, car-sharing, and reducing air travel.
We live in an energy-rich age, in which we can turn on a light with the flick of a switch or drive anywhere by turning a key. But, our vehicles, factories, and power stations, which create the electricity needed to light and heat our buildings, pump carbon dioxide into Earth’s atmosphere. Carbon dioxide overload from these human activities is making our planet hotter and hotter - and is causing the Earth's climate to change. Find out what scientists are doing to find sustainable new forms of energy that will secure our planet’s future.
Earth has a limited supply of fossil fuels, and in the near future this supply will come to an end. However, more people live on the planet than ever in its history - and they all need energy. One of the ways in which we can meet this increasing demand for energy is through nuclear power. Nuclear power stations do not drain our planet of its resources, and they can supply a seemingly limitless source of energy. Discover more about nuclear energy, how it is created and harnessed, and the controversies and challenges that surround it.
The endless and enormous power of the sun provides life to all organisms on Earth, from the smallest plant to the largest animal. This awesome power is being used today to provide a rich and abundant source of energy in many parts of the world, and to operate machinery and heat and light buildings. Discover how the sun is powering our planet, the technology used to harness it, and what the future of solar power could be.
Our planet’s weather offers some incredible solutions to our growing energy needs, and one of those solutions is wind power. Offshore and onshore wind farms are an increasingly familiar sight in many countries around the world. Wind farms tap into this clean, sustainable, and renewable form of energy. Find out how wind power works, where in the world it is being used, and how this green energy supply could be one answer to the energy problems that face us today.
Beneath Earth’s surface is a boundless source of energy - geothermal energy. Heated by our planet’s red-hot core, hot water and hot rock below the ground on which we walk already provides energy in many parts of the world, from Alaska to Hawaii. Discover the different forms of geothermal energy, how people are harnessing and using this rich supply, and how it could be an important part of our energy future.
This informative book explains how Earth is covered by landforms and bodies of water, all of which change shape over time. Interesting images feature landforms such as mountains, valleys, and sand dunes, as well as waterways such as oceans, rivers, and ponds. Children will learn how they develop and why they change.
Earth's surface is constantly being changed by heat, water, ice, salt, plants, and animals. Sometimes the changes are destructive to human activities such as farming and the building of structures. This interesting title shows the different ways people try to stop or reduce this change in the land. Examples feature such structures as dikes to hold back water and windbreaks, and adding shrubs, grass, and trees to an area of land to prevent erosion. Teacher’s guide available.
This exciting book explains how the shape of Earth can change with the sudden movement of Earth's crust or when molten rock explodes out of an opening in Earth's surface. Young readers will be fascinated to discover how volcanoes form - destroying the landscape and creating new landforms at the same time. They will also learn about tectonic plates and fault lines, the damage earthquakes can cause, and how to stay safe when an earthquake happens.
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.
You might be surprised at the huge variety of materials we use every day, in the places we live, the vehicles we use, the clothes we wear, and in preparing the food we eat. This book explores how materials engineers research, design, and develop the materials needed to make these products a reality. Readers will also learn how to combine their understanding of materials science and the engineering design process to tackle a design challenge of their own.
Biomedical engineering is the fastest growing engineering field. From designing life-saving medical devices to high-performance athletic gear, these engineers improve people’s lives every day. This book explores the creative ways biomedical engineers help diagnose, treat, and prevent problems found in human body systems. Real-life examples make learning about the engineering design process interesting for readers. Practical, hands-on activities help readers to understand scientific and engineering principles.
Every structure that touches the ground could benefit from the skills of a geotechnical engineer. Readers will discover how these engineers study rocks, soil, natural processes, and potential hazards to help make the safest, strongest foundations possible. This book introduces key concepts and the engineering design process with interesting examples from the field. A hands-on activity and a design challenge engage readers in engineering action.
This fascinating book explains how the shape of Earth is changed by weathering and erosion - the breaking down of rocks and minerals which are then carried from one place to another by water, ice, wind, and gravity. It is this movement that carves out valleys, causes trees to topple over, and creates or destroys good farmland. Examples of changes to landforms help show young readers the effects of weathering and erosion, which can happen quickly or sometimes take centuries!
This informative book goes to great lengths to explain how scientists around the world use the metric system and related tools to help them compare, contrast, and analyze the measurement data they collect. Opportunities for hands-on learning make the content meaningful to readers as they refine their measuring skills.
Scientists use different kinds of investigations depending on the questions they are trying to answer. Accessible text and child-centered examples guide readers as they learn to plan simple investigations based on fair tests to answer their own science questions.
This engaging and accessible book explains how scientists use models to help them understand systems in the natural world. Readers learn about different kinds of models and discover the similarities and differences between models and the real objects and processes they represent. Readers are given several opportunities to create their own models.
Science uses evidence in explaining the natural world. Using relatable, real-world examples, this informative book shows readers how to construct an argument with evidence to support a claim. Readers will act and think like scientists as they learn how to distinguish between fact and opinion, and use evidence and reasoning to evaluate the claims of others.
Computer Networks looks at how computer technology has changed the way we work, communicate, learn, and have fun. The World Wide Web, search engines, email, and social media have all become part of our everyday lives. The bright and engaging design helps guide readers along, and easy-to-understand text explains websites and webpages, search engines, and email systems. Online security is a key area of focus, and advice is included on staying safe online. "Stretch Yourself" features give practical activities for readers to try to help reinforce learning and are not linked to specific software or operating systems. "True Story" features give real-world anecdotes from the world of information technology. "Computer Hero" features look at the groundbreaking scientists that paved the way for digital technology today.
Awesome Algorithms and Creative Coding explores how computers work and explains how to think in a logical way. The bright and engaging design guides readers through clear explanations of binary code, simple algorithms, and computer language. With real-life examples, students learn about the development of coding using simple decision-making processes. Programming languages that readers can use themselves, including Scratch and LOGO, are reviewed. "Stretch Yourself" features give practical activities to help readers explore and test key principles to help reinforce learning and are not linked to specific software or operating systems. "True Story" features give real-world anecdotes from the world of information technology. "Computer Hero" features look at the groundbreaking scientists that paved the way for digital technology today.
Amazing Applications and Perfect Programs helps explain operating systems, computer programs, sorting and storing files, databases, and the programs that allow users to have fun with words, pictures, and sounds. The computers that are used in schools, homes, and businesses around the world rely on programs. Learn about the amazing variety of programs available today and how they can be used for the most complicated finances or for simple word processing. Exercises teach key skills such as word processing, creating documents, and using databases. "Stretch Yourself" task boxes give practical activities for readers to try to help reinforce learning and are not linked to specific software or operating systems. "True Story" features give real-world anecdotes from the world of information technology. "Computer Hero" features look at the groundbreaking scientists that paved the way for digital technology today.
The Science of Computers takes an overall look at information technology, exploring how computers operate and the amazing devices that are used in homes, schools, and businesses today. Students will be fascinated by the history of the development of information technology and digital devices from the early computers that filled entire buildings to the tiny silicon chips being produced today. This practical learning guide lays the groundwork for further exploration of computational thinking. "Stretch Yourself" features give practical activities to help readers explore and test key principles to help reinforce learning and are not linked to specific software or operating systems. "True Story" features give real-world anecdotes from the world of information technology. "Computer Hero" features look at the groundbreaking scientists that paved the way for digital technology today.
This fascinating book explains that some animals must learn the basics of staying alive from their mothers, while others know how to survive without being taught. Students will discover how some bird and mammal mothers teach their babies how to find food and keep safe from predators. Readers will also learn about other animal skills such as finding their way over great distances. People need help from navigation instruments, radar, or maps. Animals use cues such as the sun, stars, or Earth’s magnetic field when they are swimming or flying. This book asks students to look at the skills of animals and compare them to their knowledge and ways of learning.
Scientists have solved problems as varied as the germ theory of disease and the start of our universe. This amazing book outlines the great discoveries made and the principles followed by scientists who explore our world. Readers will enjoy reading the stories behind each historic discovery as well as the mini bios of the science "STEM-gineers" who made them. Experiments and research challenges help reinforce concepts.
