Showing titles in Science & Technology

Can species change? Or go extinct? In the eighteenth century, most people answer no to both questions. But in the century that follows, that certainty gets challenged as some people in Europe question the common belief that all creatures are the same as they’ve been since life’s creation. The Evolution of an Idea, the second volume of Discovering Life’s Story, opens with the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, who attempts to create an organizing system for the myriad forms of life on earth.

During the recent presidential election, "media literacy" became a buzzword that signified the threat media manipulation posed to democratic processes. Meanwhile, statistical research has shown that eight- to eighteen-year-olds pack more than eleven hours with some form of media into each day by "media multitasking." Young people are not only eager and interested to learn about and discuss the realities of media ownership, production, and distribution, they also deserve to understand differential power structures in how media influences our culture.

Lieutenant Tom Hudner and Ensign Jesse Brown, both Navy pilots during the Korean War in 1950, come from different backgrounds: Hudner is a white New Englander, a son of privilege; Brown is an African American son of a sharecropper from Mississippi. When the two men join forces in Fighter Squadron 32, they forge a deep friendship at a time when racial inequality was prevalent in America.

In the years between World War I and World War II, aviation fever was everywhere, including among Black Americans. But what hope did a Black person have of learning to fly in a country constricted by prejudice and Jim Crow laws, where some previous Black aviators like Bessie Coleman had to move to France to earn their wings?

From severe flooding in Louisiana to wildfires in the Pacific Northwest to melting permafrost in Alaska, catastrophic climate events are occurring more frequently—and severely—than ever. And these events are having a direct impact on the lives (and futures) of young people and their families.

In this dynamic account, award-winning author Paul Fleischman arms teens with the basic tools to uncover vested interests and falsehoods by vetting sources, following the money, and checking references so that they can make informed decisions about what actions to take in the worldwide battle against climate change, overconsumption, and dwindling resources.

Technology surrounds us every day: a phone alarm wakes us up, an electronic calendar tracks assignment deadlines, GPS directs us to the new dentist’s office, social media keeps us connected to friends and family, and streaming platforms make sure we’re never without something new to binge-watch. Our devices and apps can make life much more convenient and entertaining. But for years, scientists have warned that too much screen time may have negative effects on our health.

Justin is a typical teenager, dodging school bullies and waging an endless war with his parents. But when he discovers Ursula and Brutus-two sibling black bears being kept in horrific conditions at a nearby zoo-his life begins to change. He finds a cause that ignites his passion and an animal sanctuary willing to take the bears. But there's a catch: he'll have to cover the quarter-million-dollar cost.

For hundreds of years, humans and animals have had special bonds with each other. We've lived side-by-side through thick and thin - these relationships are not just about raising pets and farm animals. In Animal Kind, Emma Lock of YouTube fame shares stories of the incredible ways that animals keep us healthy and happy, physically and mentally. You'll be inspired by the tales of remarkable recovery, from vision-impaired individuals who have gained independence with the help of seeing-eye dogs, to the woman who found new life as an equestrian champion after an arm amputation.

You’ve heard of the space race, but do you know the whole story? The most ambitious race humankind has ever undertaken was masterminded in the shadows by two engineers on opposite sides of the Cold War - Wernher von Braun, a former Nazi officer living in the US, and Sergei Korolev, a Russian rocket designer once jailed for crimes against his country - and your textbooks probably never told you. From Amy Cherrix comes the extraordinary hidden story of the space race and the bitter rivalry that launched humankind to the moon.

Alan Turing was a trailblazing mathematician whose unparalleled brilliance and groundbreaking innovations shaped the foundation of modern computing and artificial intelligence. A multifaceted genius, Turing played a major role in cracking the German Enigma code during World War II, significantly contributing to the Allied victory. This biography invites readers to explore Turing's extraordinary life, and discover his groundbreaking work, personal struggles, and enduring legacy as one of the most transformative figures in science and technology. From the development of the Turing Machine to ...

Elon Musk is the visionary behind SpaceX and CEO of the electric car company Tesla. He is working on unique and daring improvements to both public transit and solar energy. And then, there's his highly-publicized plans for colonizing Mars.... But behind the mind-blowing headlines and legendary drive is the story of a bullied and beaten school boy, who through creativity and determination decided to rewrite his story and find his own way to make the world a better place. And to do so with a sense of fun and style.

Imagine a world where we unlock the secrets of DNA to cure diseases, or where we can restore dying ecosystems. That's not science fiction; it's biology. This field is not just a school subject; it's a critical lens through which we understand our world and shape our future. Let's delve into why biology is so captivating and why it's crucial for our future. Biology is like an unfolding storybook, filled with mysteries, characters, and plot twists. From the enigma of DNA to the social structures of dolphins, biology offers a world of endless wonder and discovery. Think about it: the food you ...

Python is one of the most popular and versatile programming languages used today. Python for Teens provides a comprehensive yet accessible introduction to Python tailored for teenagers and beginners. This book will take you from writing your first Python script all the way to building real-world applications and tools. The book begins with an overview of programming basics, installation, and a simple "Hello World" script to get started. It then covers core Python syntax like variables, data types, operators, loops, functions, and OOP concepts. Practical examples make these concepts easy to ...

Break the Code, Be Part of the Inner Circle Imagine a world where you have the power to create anything you can dream of, where your ideas come to life with just a few lines of code. Welcome to the exciting and boundless world of programming! If you are looking to start your journey into coding, "Code Breakers: Understanding The Language of Computers" is the perfect guidebook to help you navigate this exhilarating landscape. The goal of this book is to introduce you to the fundamentals of coding in a fun, engaging, and accessible way. But why learn to code, you might ask? In today's digital...

Curious about how your smartphone seems to read your mind or how video games adapt to your play style? Welcome to the world of Machine Learning, the force behind these marvels and more. "Machine Learning Made Fun: The Teen Edition" is here to demystify this cutting-edge tech for everyone—no PhD required!

Embark on an enlightening journey into the life and mind of Charles Darwin, the revolutionary naturalist whose pioneering work on evolutionary theory transformed our understanding of the natural world. Renowned for his meticulous research, curiosity, and innovative approach to science, Darwin's story is a testament to the power of observation and critical thinking in the pursuit of knowledge. Charles Darwin was an extraordinary scientist, an avid observer of nature, and a meticulous researcher. His insatiable curiosity, methodical studies, and ability to communicate complex ideas with ...

Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists. In this installment, Earth Guardians Youth Director and hip-hop artist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez shows us how his music feeds his environmental activism and vice versa. Martinez visualizes a future that allows us to direct our anger, fear, and passion toward creating change. Because, at the end of the day, we all have a part to play.

Embark on a captivating journey into the life and mind of Richard Feynman, the legendary physicist whose groundbreaking contributions to quantum mechanics and quantum electrodynamics transformed our understanding of the universe. Renowned for his brilliance, curiosity, and unconventional approach to science, Feynman's story is a testament to the power of creativity and critical thinking in the pursuit of knowledge. Richard Feynman was an exceptional scientist, and an avid adventurer of the intellect. His insatiable curiosity, unorthodox methods, and ability to communicate complex ideas with...

In the early years of World War II, Josef Stalin issued an order that made the Soviet Union the first country in the world to allow female pilots to fly in combat. This is the story of Marina Raskova’s three regiments, women who enlisted and were deployed on the front lines of battle as navigators, pilots, and mechanics. It is the story of 1,000 young women who wanted to take flight to defend their country and the woman who brought them together in the sky.