Cells: Experience Life at Its Tiniest

Description

If you look at a piece of a leaf or a drop of saliva through a microscope, what do you see? Cells are the basic building blocks of life and they make up every living thing, from plants to animals, from humans to bacteria! In Cells: Experience Life at Its Tiniest, readers ages 12 to 15 investigate cells and learn how they affect our health, reproduction, criminal investigations, and agriculture. Through cell science, scientists have been able to create many things to help society, including seeds that grow better in certain locations, tools that can detect DNA at crime scenes, and immunizations to keep people healthy. To reinforce learning and encourage investigation, hands-on activities include finding and identifying bacteria from pond water and human mouths and building models of different types of cells. Links to online primary sources, videos, and other relevant websites provide a digital learning component that appeals to this age group and promotes further, independent learning while strengthening practical connections to the material. Additional materials include a glossary and a list of current reference works, websites, and Internet resources.

Karen Bush Gibson is the author of more than 30 nonfiction books for children and a member of the Society of Children Book Writers and Illustrators. One of her books about women aviators was named a 2014 Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People by the NCSS and a selection in Air & Space/Smithsonian's Best Children's Books of 2013 roundup of aviation and space-themed books. She wrote Marine Biology: Cool Women Who Dive for Nomad Press. Karen lives in Norman, OK. Alexis Cornell is a graduate of The Center for Cartoon Studies. She illustrated Bioengineering: Discover How Nature Inspires Human Designs for Nomad Press and lives in Northampton, MA.

Praise for other books in the series: Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation 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." Genetics: Breaking the Code of Your DNA School Library Journal "A solid STEM resource recommended for general interest as well as supplemental curricular use." Comparative Religion: Investigate the World Through Religious Tradition Booklist "The abstractions of religion make it a tricky topic for objective and clear middle-level resources, but this dynamic book manages to be both informative and accessible. . ." Physics: Investigate the Mechanics of Nature National Science Teachers Association Recommends ". . . The investigations will make 'physics come alive' for students with the real life applications. This book is a well-written resource for classroom teachers, students, and parents." Civic Unrest: Investigate the Struggle for Social Change Booklist ". . . a complete and thorough resource dealing with basic civic principles for the middle-level social studies classroom." Chemistry: Investigate the Matter That Makes Up Your World School Library Journal "This title introduces readers to the wonders of chemistry and its far-reaching effects on our lives, from the carbonation in soda to nuclear reactions. The experiments provided will inspire and encourage further discovery of the world of science." National Science Teachers Association (NSTA Recommends) "Chemistry is a short but sweet book that packs a powerful punch of learning about matter on every page . . . What was really magical about the book is the interconnection from one topic to another!"