Posts Tagged science

STEM Tuesday — Renewable Energy — Book List

By on May 7, 2024   /   Renewable Energy, STEM Tuesday  

 

 

Renewable energy is the future of our planet. The titles below help readers to make sense of it. From easy-to-read text, to fabulous photos and fun hands-on experiments, curious scientists will gain an understanding of the different forms of energy and what exciting innovations are headed our way to make sure we are powered up for years to come, and still keep our planet green and healthy.

 

Coming Soon - Nomad Press

 

Renewable Energy: Power the World with Sustainable Fuel with Hands-On Science Activities for Kids

written by Erin Twamley and Josh Sneideman, illustrated by Micah Rauch

With prompts, projects and questions, this book tells us how switching from nonrenewable energy sources to renewable ones, like solar, wind, biofuel, hydro and geothermal energy can make our lives and that of our planet’s, better and healthier.

 

 

 

 

 

Cover: Renewable Energy in Infographics

 

 

Renewable Energy in Infographics

by Alexander Lowe

For students who learn better visually, this book is a great intro to renewable energy, with images and graphics and comparative information about renewables. Includes hands-on experiments too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climate Change and Energy Technology 

by Rebecca E. Hirsch

Climate change is partly because of the way we use energy. This book tells us how scientists and engineers are testing new sources of energy, and explores whether these can help us fight climate change.

 

 

 

 

 

Green Energy

by Jasmine Ting

Have you ever considered the energy we use to power our lives? Our houses, our tablets, our handheld games and phones all require it. That won’t stop anytime soon. What scientists want to do is find sustainable energy that will lead us to a green future. This book explains what green energy is, the types of green energy available to us, and how each is put to work for us through technological innovations.

 

 

 

 

978-0-531-24443-2

 

The Alternative Energy Book Set

Solar Power by Laurie Brearley

Water Power by Laurie Brearley

Geothermal Power by Laurie Brearley

Wind Power by Matthew Ziem

Four books that provide a great introduction to four types of renewable energy solutions.

 

 

 

Birds vs. Blades?: Offshore Wind Power and the Race to Protect Seabirds

 

 

Birds vs. blades?: offshore wind power and the race to protect seabirds

by Rebecca E. Hirsch

This book reminds us that trying new kinds of energy comes with problems we may have not thought of. A good introduction to one of those problems involving seabirds and windpower.

 

 

 

Energy Lab for Kids: 40 Exciting Experiments to Explore, Create, Harness, and Unleash Energy by Emily Hawbaker, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®

 

Energy lab for kids: 40 exciting experiments to explore, create, harness, and unleash energy

by Emily Hawbacker

Do you want to know about the different types of energy and how they help us in our everyday lives? Potential, kinetic, chemical, radiant and thermal energy: they affect us daily. This book provides activities that explore the different components of energy: from what it is, to how it’s discovered and used, and how we can save it. If you like hands-on fun, this is the book for you!

 

 

 

Energy from Water: Hydroelectric, Tidal, and Wave Power (Next Generation Energy)

 

 

Energy from Water: Hydroelectric, Tidal, and Wave Power

by Nancy Dickmann

For centuries, water has been used to create energy. It’s called ‘hydroelectricity’ and it’s considered clean energy. Scientists today are finding new ways of using it to help us build a sustainable future. From rushing rivers, to ocean waves, water is being used to create electricity in new and exciting ways. This book makes sense of all the ways water works for us.

 

 

 

Biofuels by Kate Conley

Biofuels

by Kate A Conley

Did you know plants such as corn and sugarcane are powering cars? These are considered biofuels, and they’re beginning to replace gasoline. Take a closer look at the biofuel industry and how it’s making inroads. Lots of resources are included in this engaging, easy-to-read book.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See related product detail

 

 

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, Young Reader’s Edition

written by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Anna Hymas

An exciting memoir of a boy living in a drought-stricken village in Malawi, who builds a windmill from scrap, with the help of science books at the school library, and brings electricity to his home to pump water for crops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Planet Earth: The Evolution Of You And Me - Readings

 

 

From Sunshine to Light Bulb

by Michael Bright

From switching on the light, to turning on the TV, electricity flows to activate each, but how? This book follows the journey of electricity from start to finish, taking a look at how sources of energy are examined to how grids help make it available across the land and sea. In addition, it takes a peek at several real-world examples, allowing for discussion of nonrenewable resources versus green energy.

 

 

 

 

Shruthi Rao is an author. Her home on the web is https://shruthi-rao.com

 

 

 

Susan Summers is a wildlife enthusiast and an author. Contact her at: https://susan-inez-summers.weebly.com/

 

 

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STEM Tuesday — Astronomy/ Eclipse — Writing Tips & Resources

By on April 16, 2024   /   Astronomy, STEM Tuesday  

Astronomy and Poetry

The moon, like a flower
In heaven’s high bower,
With silent delight,
Sits and smiles on the night.
Excerpt from “Night” by William Blake

April is National Poetry month so it’s a natural pairing for STE(A)M Tuesday’s astronomy activity blog. This particular post comes after the eclipse, but we can capitalize on the excitement generated by the event.

What you’ll find in this post is a history of National Poetry Month founded by the Academy of American Poets, a lesson from NASA “Write A Poem About Space.” Then a couple books about poetry and astronomy. Finally some activities that will take curiosity and learning to a new level and help reinforce communication skills.

National Poetry Month

Their website says it was launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, and celebrates poets’ integral role in our culture and that poetry matters. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K–12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, families, and—of course—poets, marking poetry’s important place in our lives.

https://poets.org/national-poetry-month

You don’t have to be a poet, or even interested in poetry, to use it as a device for writing with kids. Think of it more as allowing the young writers to communicate what they know with excitement and creative expression.

NASA begins their lesson WRITE A POEM ABOUT SPACE by talking about how many of their scientists were inspired by creative works about space.

Painters, musicians, writers and others have long been inspired by space. In ancient times, storytellers looked to the skies, found patterns, or constellations, and created tales about what they saw. Today, there are countless plays, books, songs and other creative works all about space. These works of art have helped inspire many NASA scientists and engineers to pursue their careers in space exploration. And now, their work is inspiring future poets, filmmakers and artists.

The NASA link is below at the end.

NASA JPL logo

Books

Where Did the Sun Go by Janet Cameron Hoult, is a good example of blending science, writing, myth, and poetry. The author has included eclipse stories from around the world and, based on her experiences, described them using poetic form. In addition, it includes illustrations and instructions for making a puppet show based on the stories. Beyond being fun to read, it is a useful resource for parents, teachers, and caregivers who want to have an in-depth, educational, and creative activity for young children. For older children, an enterprising teacher or parent could take it a step further and create a video or animation. Link below to making videos resources.

Where Did the Sun Go? book

Welcome to the Wonder House by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Georgia Heard, and illustrated by Deborah Freedman, includes poetry about astronomy and other science and creativity subjects, enhanced by particularly dreamy illustrations. Besides the relevant content, the colorful page design and imagery is an excellent example for letting creative imagination run free.

Welcome to the Wonder House book

Good writing will always be the Very Best way of communicating any kind of science so giving young people experience in written communication will be a boost to career readiness, no matter where their path leads. Teachers Pay Teachers has many lessons linking science and poetry. Two are listed below. Take a look yourself. They are set up by age group so you can find what you need.

Astronomy poetry resources.

The Academy of American Poets. https://poets.org/materials-teachers

NASA https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/write-a-poem-about-space/

Shooting Video to Make Learning Fun. Julie Green (Author) https://bookshop.org/p/books/shooting-video-to-make-learning-fun-julie-green/9504767?ean=9781610802635

Where Did the Sun Go https://bookshop.org/p/books/where-did-the-sun-go-myths-and-legends-of-solar-eclipses-around-the-world-told-with-poetry-and-puppetry-janet-cameron-hoult/12196130?ean=9781432770808

Welcome to the Wonder House https://bookshop.org/p/books/welcome-to-the-wonder-house/18900473?ean=9781635927627

Poetry Templates for Science Writing https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Templates-for-Science-Writing-2424654?st=2bcf8791d949fc8f1974a1182c5548ae

SCIENCE POETRY WRITING https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/SCIENCE-POETRY-WRITING-3869139?st=2bcf8791d949fc8f1974a1182c5548ae

Poetry Templates for Science Writing Book
Write a Science Poem book
Shooting Video to Make Learning Fun book

Margo Lemieux is a children’s book author and illustrator who enjoys many different modes of expression. She designed a number of notebook covers which are available on Amazon.

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STEM Tuesday — Astronomy/ Eclipse — In the Classroom

By on April 9, 2024   /   Astronomy, STEM Tuesday  

 

What an incredible time to be a young scientist! Yesterday’s total solar eclipse was an exciting and memorable event for students (and adults) across the country. Interest in learning about about eclipses and astronomy in general is at a high. Thankfully, there are a plethora of incredible books on these subjects that students can read and enjoy. These books can be used as a springboard for classroom discussions and activities.

 

Can’t Get Enough Space Stuff: Fun Facts, Awesome Info, Cool Games, Silly Jokes, and More! by Julie Beer and Stephanie Warren Drimmer
This highly browsable book is sure to become an instant hit with your students. Chock full of interesting facts, such as the moon isn’t round; it’s egg-shaped, 1 Venus day is equal to 5,832 hours, and astronauts’ sense of taste weakens in space, students will be eager to share these fun tidbits with their friends. And the silly space jokes will have your students laughing out loud!
Classroom Activity: After reading about it, have your students take a virtual tour of the International Space Station. Or, watch this video with NASA astronauts Mike Hopkins and Victor Glover as they offer viewers a tour of the ISS.
The Day the Universe Exploded My Head: Poems to Take You Into Space and Back Again by Allan Wolf, illustrated by Anna Raff
This collection of silly and informative poems will surely keep budding astronomers engaged. Personified planets abound, and many of the poems are meant to be read aloud in two voices. The illustrations are stunning and perfectly complement the text. The back matter includes a detailed glossary of selected space terms and notes on each of the poems.
Classroom Activity: Have students reflect on their experiences with the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse. If they saw it firsthand, they can draw upon their memories. If not, have them watch a video, such as Totality in Fredericksburg, to get an idea of what it was like. Then, have students create their own solar eclipse poems.
Casting Shadows: Solar and Lunar Eclipses with The Planetary Society by Bruce Betts, PhD
This traditional nonfiction text provides a general overview of solar and lunar eclipses. Readers will learn the differences between the two types of eclipses, when they occur, and how to watch them. This book is perfect for students who were fascinated by the total solar eclipse and are looking for more straightforward information. The accompanying photographs bring these incredible phenomena to life.
Classroom Activity: Today, we know that solar eclipses are caused by shadows. But in the past, people viewed them as omens of death and destruction. Have your students research the history of solar eclipses.
  • Where did the word “eclipse” come from?
  • When was the first solar eclipse on record?
  • Who are the following people and what is their relation to eclipses?
    • Chinese astronomer Liu Hsiang
    • Greek philosopher Plutarch
    • Byzantine historian Leo Diaconus
    • astronomer Johannes Kepler
    • Edmund Halley

 

Hopefully, these books and activities will inspire students to continue learning more about astronomy and eclipses long after the excitement surrounding the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse fades.

 

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Jenna Grodziki

Jenna Grodzicki is the author of more than twenty-five fiction and nonfiction children’s books. Her books include Wild Style: Amazing Animal Adornments (Millbrook Press 2020) and I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food (Millbrook Press 2019), the winner of the 2020 Connecticut Book Award in the Young Readers Nonfiction Category. Jenna lives near the beach with her husband and two children. In addition to being a writer, she is also a library media specialist at a K-4 school. To learn more, visit her website at www.jennagrodzicki.com.

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