Dispatches from the Frontiers of Science
RSSDaryl Grabarek, Curriculum Connections -- School Library Journal, 09/22/2009
Invasive species, global warming, and brain research are some of the science topics making headlines in 2009.
Invasive Species
They “cling to ships’ hulls,” hitchhike in “truck trailers or packing crates,” or cross “borders in broad daylight, their passage provided by unknowing, careless humans.” They are Alien Invaders (Tundra, 2008; Gr 3-6), estimated to cost Americans more than 130 billion dollars each year. In their book, Jane Drake and Ann Love discuss creatures, weeds, and a fungus that have wreaked environmental havoc in locations around the world. Color paintings by Mark Thurman depict the aggressors and a world map illustrates some of their routes.
Sneed B. Collard’s Science Warriors (Houghton, 2008; Gr 5-9) focuses on the work of American scientists battling these invasive species including the brown tree snake, red imported fire ant, and zebra mussel. His text describes the threats, the extent of the damage, and the efforts to contain it. Sharp color photos and maps add information. Warriors concludes with a reader’s guide to stopping these species from spreading.
Global Warming
From her vantage point orbiting in space, the fragility of our planet's atmosphere was clear to Sally Ride. In her book Mission: Planet Earth, co-authored with Tam O’Shaughnessy, the astronaut discusses the symbiotic relationship of Earth’s climate systems and what happens when something disrupts one of these systems. Charts, photos, and diagrams add information and will give students plenty to consider. The authors’ Mission: Save the Planet (both Roaring Brook, 2009; Gr 5-8) covers energy use and fossil fuels and their impact on our environment. Suggestions on how readers can fight global warming—at home and school—are noted.
Along with a clear explanation of the greenhouse effect and current and potential repercussions, Marfé Ferguson Delano’s Earth in the Hot Seat (National Geographic, 2009; Gr 4-6) explores both the “challenges and opportunities” the phenomenon presents. On spreads throughout the book, the author considers what will happen to our planet as it warms up—one degree at a time. Excellent color photographs, Q & As with scientists, and simple suggestions for readers on reducing their carbon footprint, make this a must for classrooms and libraries.
If your students still need some convincing that green is the way to go, let their favorite authors do the persuading. In Recycle This Book (Random, 2009; Gr 5-9) Dan Gutman has collected essays and a poem from “100 top children’s authors” providing insight into their lives and their thoughts on living an environmentally conscious life. Selections range from the humorous (Robert Lypsyte’s “Captain Mean-Green’s Ten Rules to Save the Planet”) to the humble (Eric A. Kimmel on unplugging appliances) to the life changing (Laurie Halse Anderson’s efforts to eat only local produce).
Cutting-Edge Research
The 1990s witnessed amazing advances in neuroscience and they continue to this day. In The Human Brain: Inside your Body’s Control Room (National Geographic, 2009; Gr 6-10) Kathleen Simpson explores how we learn, sleep and dreams, memories, emotions, and more. She discusses how today’s technology is allowing scientists learn more about these subjects and operate on areas “deep within the brain.” Sidebars relate intriguing information on mind control, sleep deprivation, and "Albert Einstein’s Brain.” Fascinating photos of experiments and operations in progress illustrate this absorbing text.
What does the future hold in biotechnology, nanotechnology, biomimetics, and robotics? Charles Piddock investigates the state of technology in these fields and discusses exciting projects under development in Future Tech (National Geographic, 2009; Gr 6-10). Readers will meet Wakamaru, a particularly sociable robot, and learn about experimental communication systems, cars, and bionic eye implants, among other topics. And while the author admits that it’s hard to predict the future—see his amusing list of “bad predictions”—he presents 10 of his own for the year 2025.
Related articles of interest:
Tam O’Shaughnessy and Sally Ride talk about their mission in this 2009 interview.
Looking for suggestions on how you and your students can help reverse trends that are damaging the environment? Here are some resources that offer tips.
