Students in an introductory physics class learn a variety of different, and seemingly unconnected, concepts. Gravity, the laws of motion, forces and fields, the mathematical nature of the science - all of these are ideas that play a central role in understanding physics. And one thing that connects all of these physical concepts is the impetus the great scientists of the past had to develop them - the desire to understand the motion of the planets of the solar system. This desire led to the revolutionary work of Copernicus and Galileo, Kepler and Newton. And their work forever altered how science is practiced and understood.
Throughout history, science has changed lives and dramatically altered the way in which the universe is perceived. Focusing on the 100 most significant scientific events of all time--from Archimedes' discovery of the two fundamental principles underlying physics and engineering (levers and buoyancy) in 260 B.C.E. to human anatomy, Jupiter's moons, electrons, black holes, the human genome, and more--storyteller Kendall Haven has created a ready reference for those seeking information on science discoveries. Brimming with fascinating and fun facts about 100 scientific breakthroughs, this collection presents the real stories behind the history of science, at the same time offering a panoramic overview of the history of science and an introduction to some of the most important scientists in history. Grades 6 and up.
From astronomy to zoology, the practice of science proceeds from
scientific ways of thinking. These patterns of thought, such as
defining and classifying, hypothesizing and experimenting, form the
building blocks of all scientific endeavor. Understanding how they work
is therefore an essential foundation for everyone involved in
scientific study or teaching, from elementary school students to
classroom teachers and professional scientists.
In this book, Steven Darian examines the language of science in order
to analyze the patterns of thinking that underlie scientific endeavor.
He draws examples from university science textbooks in a variety of
disciplines, since these offer a common, even canonical, language for
scientific expression. Darian identifies and focuses in depth on nine
patterns—defining, classifying, using figurative language, determining
cause and effect, hypothesizing, experimenting, visualizing,
quantifying, and comparing—and shows how they interact in practice. He
also traces how these thought modes developed historically from
Pythagoras through Newton.
News of the Week
SCIENCE EDUCATION: Louisiana Opens School Door for Opponents of Evolution
Fayana Richards
Science 20 June 2008: 1572.
A bill passed overwhelmingly by the Louisiana state legislature and expected to become law as early as next week marks the latest attack in the United States on the teaching of evolution and mainstream scientific thought on global warming and other topics.
BIOBANKS: Canada Launches Massive Study of Adult Cancer Precursors
Paul Webster
Science 20 June 2008: 1572-1573.
Canada has joined the global stampede of countries gathering biological data over decades on a large population cohort in hopes of better understanding the genetic, social, and environmental factors that affect human health.
BIODEFENSE: Senate Bill Would Alter Biosafety, Select Agent Rules
Jocelyn Kaiser
Science 20 June 2008: 1573.
Last week, a bipartisan pair of U.S. senators introduced a bill that would streamline the red tape involved in studying potential bioweapons as well as address safety concerns at the nation's biodefense labs.
