The Science of Science Fiction

Description

Early science fiction imagined a world with space travel, video calls, and worldwide access to information, things we now know as NASA's human spaceflight program, Skype, and the Internet. What next? Could we really bring back the dinosaurs, travel to a distant star, or live on Mars? In The Science of Science Fiction, readers ages 12 to 15 explore the science behind classic and modern science fiction stories, including artificial intelligence, androids, and the search for alien life. They learn how cutting edge concepts, including time dilation and genetic manipulation, influence today's fiction. The Science of Science Fiction promotes critical thinking skills through inquiry, discovery, research, analysis, and reflection of key scientific ideas and concepts made popular by many titles in science fiction. Each chapter features informative sidebars and video and website links for an in-depth look at key topics. Science-minded experiments include a simple demonstration of artificial gravity using a bucket of water and calculating the speed of light using chocolate in a microwave. This variety of resources ensures the material is accessible to students with diverse learning styles.

Matthew Brenden Wood is a math and science teacher with a passion for STEAM education. An avid amateur astronomer and astrophotographer, Wood holds a bachelor's degree in astronomy from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and lives in Phoenix, AZ. Tom Casteel is a cartoonist with a master's degree from the Center for Cartoon Studies. Tom has illustrated several books for Nomad Press, including The Brain: Journey Through the Universe Inside Your Head. Tom lives in South Bend, IN.

Praise for other books in the Inquire and Investigate series: Civic Unrest: Investigate the Struggle For Social Change Michael Yell, National Board Certified middle school social studies teacher "With its lively writing, investigations, role playing, and QR codes, Civic Unrest will have students immersing themselves in an exploration of ideas, events, and questions. This is social studies." The Brain: Journey Through the Universe Inside Your Head Amazon #1 Hot New Release in Teen & Young Adult Biology Books Eric Chudler, Executive Director, Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering "Clear writing and colorful graphics make The Brain: Journey Through the Universe Inside Your Head a terrific resource for young learners interested in learning about those three pounds of tissue in our heads." Nick Spitzer, Director, Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind "... An excellent introduction to the way our nervous system works. The text is engaging and lucid, the illustrations are fun, and cool activities are introduced to give students hands-on experience and tests of brain function. Chapters discuss the developing brain, memory and learning, the healthy brain, and much more. Highly recommended!" The Roaring Twenties: Discover the Era of Prohibition, Flappers, and Jazz Booklist "... Two aspects of the book stand out. First, the QR code links to primary source documents, photos, and film clips; and second, the Inquire & Investigate section of each chapter, which challenges students to compare and contrast events of that era with events that have occurred since that time..." Library Media Connection "This engaging and insightful read into the 1920s can be used as a supplementary textbook in an American History class. Lusted's writing captures the decade, offering all its vitality with an encompassing overview of the era." Recommended Genetics: Breaking the Code of Your DNA Booklist " explains genetics in eight chapters that build upon one another... A solid resource that shows life science and biology students the practicalities and marvels of genetics." National Science Teachers Association "...The book is written to the reader and I would use this book for a supplement if required to use a textbook. If I was not required to use a textbook, I would use this book for secondary classes. This book would be good to use with students that struggle with reading and content." Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation 2013 Society of School Librarians International Honor Book Award Booklist "Like other titles in the Inquire and Investigate series, this book focuses on a high-interest topic in a cutting-edge field to reinforce young people's understanding of the scientific method ... an appealing and age-appropriate STEM resource." Music: Investigate the Evolution of American Sound School Library Journal "This overview is a STEAM advocate's delight... an admirable synopsis of the multicultural history of American music."