STEM for All: How to Connect, Create, and Cultuvate STEM Education for All Learners

Bakshi McLean, Leena. STEM for All: How to Connect, Create, and Cultuvate STEM Education for All Learners. 2024. 288p. ISBN 9781394221448.

STEM education has often been lacking for minority students, for students learning English, and for students with a low socio-economic status. Yet educators claim to want to help every student succeed. STEM for All offers a comprehensive guide for educators seeking to improve STEM education and address the persistent achievement gap. Drawing upon the Connect, Create, and Cultivate framework from STEM4Real, practical tools and strategies for creating inclusive and engaging learning environments are showcased. Critical factors that impact student success in STEM are explored, including classroom culture, discourse, identity, family involvement, and equitable access to resources. Through real-world examples and case studies, the importance of addressing implicit biases and fostering a sense of belonging for all students is highlighted.

By identifying and overcoming the challenges that hinder student engagement in STEM, educators can create more equitable and effective learning experiences. STEM for All equips educators with the knowledge and tools to implement culturally relevant teaching practices, build strong relationships with students and families, and ultimately close the STEM gap, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM for All is a valuable resource for teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders committed to improving STEM education and preparing students for future success in a rapidly changing world.

Stuff Kids Should Know: The Mind-Blowing Histories of (Almost) Everything

Bryant, Chuck and Josh Clark. Stuff Kids Should Know: The Mind-Blowing Histories of (Almost) Everything. 2023. 201p. ISBN 9781250622440.

Stuff Kids Should Know is a captivating nonfiction book from the creators of the popular podcast "Stuff You Should Know," Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant. This book delves into a diverse range of fascinating topics, from the history of facial hair to the mechanics of demolition derbies. With humor and engaging storytelling, Clark and Bryant aim to spark curiosity and ignite a passion for learning.

Stuff Kids Should Know presents a collection of intriguing facts and stories, encouraging children to explore the world around them with a sense of wonder. By delving into the "whys" and "hows" of everyday phenomena, "Stuff Kids Should Know" aims to make learning an enjoyable and enriching experience. Through clever insights, witty illustrations, and a playful approach to knowledge, readers will embrace their inner explorer and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Silicon

Gardner, Jane P. Silicon. Part of the Chemistry of Everyday Elements series. 2017. 64p. ISBN 9781422238448. Available at 546.68 GAR on the library shelves. 

Silicon, a seemingly unremarkable element, plays a pivotal role in shaping the modern world. Its unique properties as a semiconductor, a material that can conduct electricity under specific conditions, have revolutionized electronics. Silicon's ability to precisely control the flow of electrical current forms the bedrock of countless devices, from the smartphones in our pockets to the powerful computers that drive scientific research and global communication networks.

From the transistors that power our gadgets to the integrated circuits that form the brains of modern computers, silicon's versatility is undeniable. Its abundance in the Earth's crust and its relatively low cost make it an ideal material for mass production. As technology continues to advance, the demand for silicon-based components will only increase, driving further innovation in fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and space exploration.

This series includes:

• Silver
• Helium
• Gold
• Silicon
• Oxygen
• Hydrogen
• Aluminum

How to Survive on the Moon: Lunar Lessons from a Rocket Scientist

Morancy, Joalda. How to Survive on the Moon: Lunar Lessons from a Rocket Scientist. 2025. 48p. ISBN 9781684494477.

What would it be like to travel to the Moon? To live on it? How to Survive on the Moon offers an exciting and informative journey into the world of lunar exploration. Written by a real rocket scientist, this book aims to equip young readers with the knowledge needed to survive on the moon. It delves into practical aspects of lunar living, such as building underground shelters, mitigating the dangers of moon dust, and cultivating food in a lunar environment.

Beyond practical tips, readers are introduced to cutting-edge lunar science, including the concept of underground cities and innovative technologies like lunar catapults for transporting materials back to Earth. This is not the stuff of science fiction but rather real-world science that supports these concepts. The inclusion of hilarious illustrations adds a playful and visually appealing dimension, rendering the book more accessible and enjoyable for readers. Space enthusiasts will appreciate the technical details and will be inspired by the wonders of lunar exploration and the possibilities of future space travel.

Unseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World

 Spicer Rice, Eleanor. Unseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World. Part of the Hidden Life series. 2023. 176p. ISBN 9781536226461.

Unseen Jungle: The Microbes That Secretly Control Our World delves into the fascinating and disgusting yet often overlooked world of microbes. Microbes are single-cell organisms that are too small to see with the naked eye, and they include bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These tiny organisms are everywhere, both inside and outside of us, with a staggering number residing within our own bodies. 

Microbes fulfill diverse roles, from aiding digestion to manipulating the behavior of other creatures. Using engaging anecdotes and humorous illustrations, readers will learn about the intricate relationships between microbes and their environments, such as how fungi can control the minds of insects and how termites play a crucial role in the planet's ecosystem.

This captivating read is filled with entertaining facts, quirky sidebars, and even a guide to drawing E. coli, making it an enjoyable and informative experience for both aspiring scientists and those simply curious about the unseen world around them. Unseen Jungle highlights the importance of microbes in our lives, demonstrating how they impact our health, the environment, and even the behavior of other organisms.

Oxygen

Rich, Mari. Oxygen. Part of the Chemistry of Everyday Elements series. 2017. 64p. ISBN 9781422238431. Available at 546.72 RIC on the library shelves.

While we often associate oxygen solely with the act of breathing, its importance extends far beyond sustaining life. Oxygen plays a crucial role in various chemical reactions that drive the Earth's ecosystems. Photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy, relies heavily on oxygen. Additionally, many industrial processes, such as combustion and the production of steel, utilize oxygen as a key component.

Furthermore, oxygen is essential for the breakdown of organic matter, a vital process in nutrient cycling and maintaining the balance of our planet's ecosystems. From the smallest microorganisms to the largest mammals, oxygen plays a multifaceted role in supporting life and shaping the very fabric of our world. Recognizing the multifaceted importance of oxygen beyond its role in respiration provides a deeper appreciation for this essential element and its impact on the planet.

This series includes:

• Silver
• Helium
• Gold
• Silicon
• Oxygen
• Hydrogen
• Aluminum

Hydrogen

Hulick, Kathryn. Hydrogen. Part of the Chemistry of Everyday Elements series. 2017. 64p. ISBN 9781422238424. Available at 546.2 HUL on the library shelves.

Hydrogen, the simplest and most abundant element in the universe, plays a pivotal role in powering our world. It's the fundamental building block of stars, fueling their immense energy output through nuclear fusion. On Earth, hydrogen is harnessed in various forms to generate electricity and heat. In fuel cells, hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce electricity, emitting only water as a byproduct. Additionally, hydrogen is a key component of many renewable energy sources, such as solar cells and wind turbines, where it's used to store energy efficiently.

Beyond its energy applications, hydrogen is essential for numerous industrial processes. It's used in the production of fertilizers, plastics, and other chemicals. Moreover, hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. By transitioning to a hydrogen-based economy, we can significantly decrease our reliance on fossil fuels and move towards a more sustainable future.

This series includes:

• Silver
• Helium
• Gold
• Silicon
• Oxygen
• Hydrogen
• Aluminum

Uranium

Gardner, Jane P. Uranium. 2018.64p. ISBN 9781422238479. Available at 546.43 GAR on the library shelves.

Uranium, a dense, silvery-white metal, was first discovered by Martin Klaproth, a German chemist, in 1789. He isolated uranium oxide from pitchblende, a mineral found in the Joachimsthal silver mines in Bohemia. The discovery of uranium marked a significant milestone in the field of chemistry and physics, as it paved the way for further exploration of radioactivity and nuclear energy.   

The true potential of uranium as a powerful energy source was not realized until the 20th century. Scientists discovered that certain isotopes of uranium, particularly uranium-235, undergo nuclear fission, releasing immense amounts of energy. This process, known as nuclear fission, is the basis for nuclear power generation. Nuclear power plants harness the energy released during fission to generate electricity, providing a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.  The same process could also be used to fuel bombs, however, and humanity entered the nuclear age when atomic bombs were dropped on Japan in 1945. 

The use of uranium also raises concerns about nuclear proliferation, vulnerability of plants to environmental hazards like Fukushima or to human error like Chernobyl, and the safe disposal of nuclear waste. Scientists and engineers are continuously working to develop advanced nuclear technologies, such as nuclear fusion, which promises to be a cleaner and more sustainable energy source. By addressing these challenges and advancing nuclear technology, we can harness the power of uranium to meet our energy needs while minimizing environmental impact.

Helium

Gardner, Jane P. Helium. Part of the Chemistry of Everyday Elements series. 2017. 64p. ISBN 9781422238417.

Helium, a lightweight, inert noble gas, is widely used in various industries due to its unique properties as the second lightest element after hydrogen. Its low density, high thermal conductivity, and non-reactive nature make it ideal for a variety of applications.

In the field of medicine, helium is used in a technique called helium-oxygen therapy. This therapy involves breathing a mixture of helium and oxygen, which can improve lung function and reduce breathing difficulties in patients with respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Helium's low density allows it to flow more easily through constricted airways, making it easier for patients to breathe.

Helium is also essential in many technological applications. Its low reactivity and high thermal conductivity make it an excellent coolant for superconducting magnets used in MRI machines and particle accelerators. Additionally, helium is used in leak detection, welding, and as a carrier gas in gas chromatography. In the aerospace industry, helium is used to pressurize and purge fuel tanks in rockets. Its low density and non-flammable nature make it a safe and efficient choice for this application.

Despite the fact that it continuously escapes into the atmosphere, helium remains one of the most important chemicals in our daily life!

This series includes:

• Silver
• Helium
• Gold
• Silicon
• Oxygen
• Hydrogen
• Aluminum

Nuclear War: A Scenario

Jacobsen, Annie. Nuclear War: A Scenario. 2024. 400p. ISBN 9780593476093.

The dropping of atomic bombs on Japan to end the Second World War in 1945 ushered in the threat of nuclear war and the destruction of the human race as we know it. Nuclear War: A Scenario makes it perfectly clear that the U.S. policies of nuclear deterrence, escalating deployment of nuclear weapons, and mutually assured destructions are nothing but wishful thinking. In this scenario, on a a beautiful spring afternoon, North Korea launches a ballistic nuclear missile at Washington D.C. Following protocol, the president is evacuated, and the entire military apparatus of the United States engages in its highest response level. Interceptors are launched, but they fail, and the missile continues on its trajectory. 

With less than 30 minutes from launch to detonation, U.S. authorities go through pre-planned hoops, and over a dozen missiles are launched back at North Korea. Russian satellites notice the launch. With these missiles flying towards Russia, it is impossible for the Russians to determine if they will go over or land on their territory. The Russians thus respond with a massive barrage of missiles heading for Europe and the United States. Even if the Russians chose to ignore the threat, the missiles heading to North Korea would land near China and kill millions of Chinese citizens, forcing the Chinese to respond and launch their own missiles. When U.S. satellites see the Russian launch, Strategic Command launches all remaining American nuclear missiles. Thus, within the span of two hours, over 2,000 nuclear bombs explode across the globe. 

Folks who were not instantly vaporized by the fireballs in the millions of degrees are killed by the blast, or quickly die of burns, or, more slowly, of radiation poisoning. With so many toxic particles in the skies, the temperature drops by more than 20 degrees, and agriculture is no longer possible due to contaminated water. Mammals and fish quickly die out, followed by amphibians and reptiles. Only insects, with a higher tolerance to radiation, survive. Even if you somehow avoided being killed in a nuclear exchange, the lack of everything following destruction on such a massive scale would inevitably lead to death in the short or medium term. Pockets of humanity may survive, but the world as we know it would essentially stop to exist.

In a horrifyingly and accurately portrayed fashion, Nuclear War describes how the firing of even one nuclear weapon will trigger a rapid and massive response that will inevitably be misinterpreted by another one of the nuclear powers as an attack on themselves, and in the mind frame of use them or lose them, all nuclear missiles end up deployed within two hours of the first launch. Interviews with experts in the field, politicians and generals who have served in these roles, and through reviews of publicly available documents detail with precision what would happen, and why we must do everything we can to avoid nuclear war.

Gold

Hulick, Kathryn. Gold. Part of The Chemistry of Everyday Elements. 2017. 64p. ISBN 978-1-4222-3840-0. Available at 546.65 HUL on the library shelves.

Gold, a precious metal prized for its luster and rarity, has captivated humans for millennia. Its allure and shiny properties have been woven into ancient mythologies, religious practices, and economic systems. From the pharaohs of Egypt to the conquistadors of Spain, gold has been acquired for its perceived value, status, and wealth. This enduring fascination with gold stems from its unique properties, including its malleability, ductility, and resistance to corrosion.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal and economic significance, gold plays a crucial role in modern technology. In the realm of telecommunications, gold is an essential component of cell phones. Its excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion ensure reliable signal transmission and prevents interference. In the field of renewable energy, gold is used in the production of solar panels, where it enhances the efficiency of photovoltaic cells by improving their ability to convert sunlight into electricity. Additionally, gold has applications in space exploration. It is used in spacecraft components, such as electrical connectors and heat shields, due to its durability and resistance to extreme temperatures.

Gold's versatility and unique properties have made it an indispensable resource throughout history and continue to shape our world today. From its ancient allure to its modern technological applications, gold remains a symbol of both wealth and innovation.

Aluminum

Csiszar, John. Aluminum. Part of The Chemistry of Everyday Elements. 2018. 64p. ISBN 978-1-4222-3837-0. Available at 546.67 CSI on the library shelves.

Aluminum is one of the most prevalent materials in our environment, but we often ignore how much of it there is, and how it is used. First isolated through chemical reactions, aluminum's properties of low density and high resistance to corrosion make it an excellent metal for industrial applications. Aluminum is never found in the environment, as it chemically reacts with things around it. Once purified, aluminum is present in lightweight structures, electronics, cars, and wind turbines. It is present in trace amounts in our food.

Aluminum's excellent corrosion resistance is due to the formation of a thin, protective oxide layer on its surface, which acts as a barrier against further corrosion. This property makes aluminum suitable for outdoor applications and environments with high humidity. Additionally, aluminum is malleable and ductile, meaning it can be easily shaped and formed into various products. Its high thermal conductivity makes it an efficient conductor of heat, making it a popular choice for cookware, radiators, and heat exchangers. Finally, aluminum is recyclable and can be recycled indefinitely without losing its properties, making it an environmentally friendly material.

This series includes:

• Silver
• Helium
• Gold
• Silicon
• Oxygen
• Hydrogen
• Aluminum

Metals and Non-metals

Walker, Denise. Metals and Non-metals. 2005. 48p. ISBN 9781583408223. Available at 546 WAL on the library shelves.

Metals are prevalent in our physical environment and they are an essential part of our society. Used for everything from building to vitamins, metals constitute the largest block of chemical elements on Earth. As chemicals, metals share certain characteristics, but also differ widely in their atomic structure, their ability to conduct electricity, and their capacity to transform into alloys when other chemical elements are added. Some metals have better characteristics when combined with other elements, including steel and titanium, while others are appreciated more for their purity, such as gold and silver.

Metals and Non-metals present information on these fundamental blocks of matter, using effective graphics and diagrams. It also presents ideas for experiments and ways to apply this information in the reader's every day environment. 

Nature Meets Nurture: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Resilient Kids

Borelli, Jessica, and Stacy Doan. Nature Meets Nurture: Science-Based Strategies for Raising Resilient Kids. 2022. 350p. ISBN 9781433833106.

Whether a person is shaped by their environment, their family, or their hard wiring remains a source of debate, with research pointing to both sides of the arguments to describe why some individuals are successful despite poor genetic conditions or an inadequate environment, while others have both and seem to not amount to much. In Nature Meets Nurture, the latest investigations on brain science, epigenetics, and social research are analyzed, translated into plain English, and applied to specific situations to demonstrate skills and actions parents can take to help their child exceed the debate of nature versus nurture and instead support whole person emotional well-being.

Genetics are very important, and influence a child even before birth. But they are not the end of the conversation. The environment that surrounds the child, even before birth, also has a direct impact on the child's development in the womb, and, following birth, their emotional bonding. Strategies to deploy the best of genetics and environmental circumstances are presented, with the goal of creating a more resilient child, equipped with skills designed to reduce stress, promote social awareness, and improve learning. 

With so much stress in our lives, whether nature or nurture has a larger influence on a person is moot. We need to deal with both, and we need to incorporate the best that each bring to ensure that children can grow into well-loved and successful individuals.

The Order of Time

Rovelli, Carlo. The Order of Time. 2018. 240p. ISBN 9780735216105.

What is time? Why is time so important in our lives? What role does it play? Does it really exist? These are all questions that arise as one ponders the nature of time itself. Scientists, artists, and philosophers have all attempted to explore the true nature of time, without much success and with some contradictions. Time passes faster in lower gravity, so that someone standing on top of a tall mountain will live less time than someone at sea level. It wasn't until the telegraph, which ushered the means of communicating around the globe almost instantaneously, that the world suddenly needed to synchronize clocks. Prior to that, noon in one spot was the time where the sun was highest, and because of slow transportation methods, it didn't really matter that the time in a neighboring town wasn't quite the same.

An industrial and communications revolution later, however, it became necessary to track time in precise intervals, to ensure the smooth operation of the marketplace and of the government. But for humans who had spent thousands of years experiencing time based on the sun's movements in the skies, this transition to accurate time keeping shook the very foundations of how we perceive time. In The Order of Time, Rovelli seeks to reconcile us with a concept that may be more in our head than an actual immutable law of physics.

Fans of philosophical musings and those who enjoy reading scientific information will appreciate the questions that this book sparks, and will wonder at the true nature of time.

Infectious Disease Prevention: Protecting Public Health

Mooney, Carla. Infectious Disease Prevention: Protecting Public Health. Part of the Understanding Infectious Diseases series. 2022. 64p. ISBN 978-1-6782-0158-6.

The Covid-19 pandemic brought infectious diseases back to the fore of public health policy. Infectious diseases easily spread to a population, are hard to control and prevent, and do significant damage to the organisms they infect. In order to ensure public health is protected from infectious diseases, scientists and governments take many steps, some of which are controversial, while others are not. 

Though probably currently the best known infectious disease, Covid-19 competes with diseases that continue to make people sick in the United States, but which can be deadly in less developed countries. Diseases such as polio, e. coli, and sexually transmitted infections afflict many, and can cause death. Other more exotic diseases, such as Zika or Ebola, continue to present challenges in infection avoidance. Infectious diseases can be waterborne, transmitted through food, through the air, by person-to-person contact, or through animal vectors.

In an era where international travel means any disease is potentially less than a day away from any point on the globe, it is essential to understand how infectious diseases are spread, and what we can do to stop them.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

de Grasse Tyson, Neil. Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. 2017. 208p. ISBN 9780393609394. '

Space has always fascinated humans. We used to think we were in the middle of the universe, but science has long since revealed that not only are we not at the center of the universe, we live in an insignificant solar system on the periphery of an insignificant galaxy. But how did this all come to pass? What is the Big Bang? What constitutes the universe? How is it still expanding? What will happen in billions of years? These questions and more are why renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson wrote this short book. Looking at some of the mysteries of the universe, deGrasse Tyson provides simple explanation that demystify the physics behind some of the most interesting phenomena in science, and describe why knowing this information is important to us.

Fans of science and of space will enjoy reading about ideas and concepts that are both familiar and utterly foreign, and will appreciate how easy deGrasse Tyson make it all sound! For a companion read, take a look at The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking), which explains in great details several scenarios on how the universe will one day die.

How We Got to the Moon

Rocco, John. How We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity's Greatest Adventure. 2020. 264p. ISBN 9780525647416. Available at 629.45 ROC on the library shelves.

 

When President Kennedy declared in 1961 that the United States would travel to the Moon before the end of the decade, it set forth a massive industrial and scientific effort to achieve what had previously been impossible: Escape Earth's gravity and reach for the stars. Four years prior, the Soviet Union had launched its first satellite, shortly followed by the first animal in space then the first human in space. Embroiled in a Cold War with the Soviets and fearing falling behind technologically and scientifically, the United States poured vast amounts of resources on creating the largest rocket ever built. 

Over the next eight years, countless technological challenges were overcome to assemble the Saturn V rocket and its components, including the landing module and the command module. A building to house the rocket was built, a way to move the giant rocket to the launch pad was designed, space suits to protect astronauts were created and sewed by expert hands, and multiple other complex issues were resolved with determination and grit. On July 20, 1969, the first astronaut walked on the surface of the Moon. It was an accomplishment for humanity, but specifically for the hundred of thousands of workers who contributed to making Apollo 11 a successful mission.

Beautifully illustrated, this story recounts one of the greatest scientific achievement in the history of the nation. Fans of history and of space will appreciate the quality and specificity of the drawings, and will enjoy cheering for the men and women of NASA as they fulfill President Kennedy's mission.

What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained

Wolke, Robert L. What Einstein Told His Cook: Kitchen Science Explained. 2002. 320p. ISBN 9780393011838.

Food is delicious, and most of us enjoy eating it. Some of us even enjoy preparing it. But what kind of science goes into food and making food? Why does lasagna create burn marks in aluminum foil when you put it in the fridge overnight? What's the difference between regular salt and kosher salt? How is Virginia ham prepared? How does a microwave oven work? What's the purpose of the bottom drawer in a refrigerator? Why are the American measurement system so complicated? All of these questions and more are answered in this wonderful set of explanations at the intersection of science and cooking. 

Well written in a humorous and entertaining manner, fans of cooking will appreciate the thoroughness of the author and the way he distills complex scientific principles into understandable chunks as he explains what is occurring in your kitchen. If you ever wondered whether a sidewalk could indeed cook an egg, what type of material made the best skillet, whether water with a pinch of salt boils faster than regular water, or if mushrooms are indeed the natural sponge they are made out to be, read this book and find out!

If you enjoyed this book, take a look at Are You Afraid? The Science Behind Scary Stuff!

The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking).

Mack, Katie. The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking). 2020. 240p. ISBN 9781982103545. Available at 523.1 MAC on the library shelves.

The Big Bang is the famous beginning of the Universe, and the science of physics has been attempting to explain what happened for decades. As interesting as the beginning is, however, it pales in comparison to how the universe will end. In this cleverly written book, Dr. Mack describes the five possible deaths of the universe. 

In the Big Crunch scenario, the billions of galaxy that have been expanding away from each other reverse course and head toward each other, causing massive star collapse and destruction, the merging of galaxies, and possibly leading to another Big Bang as the universe once again reaches unimaginable pressure and gravity.

In the Heat Death scenario, the universe continues to expand, and galaxies soon find themselves the only thing floating in their range of vision, and themselves stretching out until all that remain are dead stars. Under this scenario, the universe literally dies and becomes absolutely cold. 

In the Big Rip scenario, the universe unravels like a tapestry or water evaporating in a boiling pot. Galaxies simply disappear away from our vision field, drifting further away and being torn apart as atomic bonds break down, releasing components into the void of space.

In the Bounce scenario, our universe is connected to other universes on other planes, and they periodically collide, creating a collapse and a new big bang. Of all the scenarios, this one involves strange physics and remains to be proven as a possibility.

Finally, in the Vacuum Decay scenario, the universe is torn apart similar to water draining out of a bath tub. The matter and energy that populate the universe drains away, filling the vacuum and bringing it to equilibrium, but in the process destroying everything that existed prior to the vacuum. Of all of the scenarios presented, this one is the most unlikely to happen, but, also unlike the other ones, it could happen at any time.

Fans of science will appreciate the humor and attention to details in this book. And not to worry, it is not filled with equations that will hurt your head, but rather vivid description and an engaging discussion of how the universe will eventually end. For a companion read, take a look at Astrophysics for People in a Hurry.