Synergy: Exploring Earth Science

EARTH SCIENCE is the branch of science that studies the physical makeup of the Earth and its atmosphere. It includes the areas of geology, astronomy, oceanography, and meteorology. 

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for young people:

FIRE SHAPES THE WORLD written by Joanna Cooke and illustrated by Cornelia Li explores the connection between fire and life on earth. While exploring key concepts related to fire ecology, readers learn about how fire shaped earth and its inhabitants and continues to have an impact on the environment. With so many people impacted each year by wildfires, this beautifully illustrated picture book is timely. An author’s note provides additional depth and detail. ARC courtesy of Yosemite Conservancy, Ingram Publisher Services.

WATER: HOW WE CAN PROTECT OUR FRESHWATER written by Catherine Barr and illustrated by Christiane Engel examines the history of water on earth, the importance of freshwater, and the need to advocate for water security. Each two-page spreads explores a key concept presenting facts and examples along with useful illustrations. The picture book concludes with ideas for using water wisely. ARC courtesy of Candlewick, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

KABOOM! A VOLCANO ERUPTS written by Jessica Kulekjian and illustrated by Zoe Si takes young readers through the experience of a volcanic eruption. Told from the volcano’s viewpoint, young volcanologists learn key concepts, facts, and terminology. The comic approach will appeal to young readers. The picture book concludes with useful back matter including a volcano anatomy diagram and volcano types. ARC courtesy of Kids Can Press, an imprint of Hachette.

EXPLORE UNDER THE EARTH written by Carly Madden and illustrated by Neil Clark takes readers on an adventure inside the Earth. This innovative, layered board book introduces young children to earthquakes, volcanoes, and other aspects of earth science. Check out other books in the Adventures of Evie and Juno series for more science fun. ARC courtesy of Happy Yak, Quarto Group.

Synergy: National Ocean Month

National Ocean Month is celebrated throughout the month of June. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shares information on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. They encourage the use of the hashtag #30DaysofOcean.

Read the informational book for youth, then learn more at the website:

BENEATH THE WAVES by Stephanie Warren Drimmer celebrates the ocean through pictures, poems, and stories. The book is divided into eleven themes such as reef life, ocean forests, and life on the icy edge. Readers explore these themes through short narratives, poems, fact boxes, and stunning photography. Select passages from the book as part of your National Ocean Month celebration.

The NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE website provides a curated list of ocean topics including information about the annual National Ocean Month activities.
To visit the website, go to https://bit.ly/39PuT4X

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Book Review: Flying Deep

FLYING DEEP by Michelle Cusolito is an informational picture book exploring a deep-sea submersible.

In this engaging picture book, readers follow a pilot and scientists as they climb into their submersible and journey underwater for a day of scientific investigation. Young readers will be attracted to the realistic artwork and lyrical narration. Questions are woven throughout the story keeping readers active throughout.

The experience concludes with the story behind the book, an illustrator’s note, facts about the submersible, a glossary, organism list, and additional resources.

Librarians will find this book popular with children who enjoy sea exploration, science, and adventure. Integrate the book into the science curriculum and associate it with oceanography careers.

Published by Charlesbridge on May 22, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: The Hidden Dangers Project

THE HIDDEN DANGERS PROJECT teaches children about the importance of clean water around the world.

The interactive website contains four stories focusing on clean water hazards including the bacteria monster, trash monster, metal monster, and chemical monster. Each section includes text, images, video, and interactive elements. The project also features a case study video discussing the project, a downloadable experience, and a 360 video.

Librarians will find this to be an effective resource in teaching about clean water. Collaborate with both social studies and science teachers for an interdisciplinary unit focusing on this global issue.

To visit the website, go to http://www.hiddendangersproject.com.

Website Review: USGS Water Science

The Water Science School from the USGS provides easy-to-understand information exploring all aspects of hydrology.

The website includes pages focusing on the topics of water basics, water properties, water cycles, surface water, ground water, water quality, and water use. In addition, there’s an activity center, picture gallery, questions/answers, and water glossary.

A teacher resources page links to informational resources, activities, and even a class play.

Of particular interest are the resources related to the water cycle. The entry page contains a printable poster featuring key concepts related to the water cycle. Clicking the Interactive Diagram takes users to a clickable visual focusing on definitions and examples. These interactives are available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners.

Librarians will find this website to be an excellent resource for both students and teachers. The website would be useful for online informational reading activities focusing on the science of water. Many of the materials can be printed for use in classroom activities, displays, and bulletin boards.

To visit the website, go to http://water.usgs.gov/edu/.

Website Review: Ology

The OLOGY website has been providing engaging science activities for youth for over 15 years.

Sponsored by the American Museum of Natural History, the web-based learning environment explores fourteen different topics including anthropology, archaeology, astronomy, biodiversity, brain, climate change, earth, genetics, marine biology, microbiology, paleontology, physics, water, and zoology.

Users can complete dozens of activities including games, stories, hands-on activities, and videos. By registering at the website, students can collect Ology cards hidden throughout the project.

The Ology for Educators section provides free, research based curriculum materials connected with Earth, life, and physical science content for K-12 students.

Librarians will find this amazing website to be an excellent opportunity to immerse youth in science. Use the website in a learning center focusing on one of the ology topics. Include books and materials in the station to support the hands-on activities. Change topics every couple weeks for a year-long science experience in your library.

To visit the website, go to http://www.amnh.org/explore/ology.

Book Review: Hour of Bees

HOUR OF BEES by Lindsay Eagar is a poignant, multi-generational, coming-of-age story set in the New Mexican desert.

While her friends are enjoying the summer, Carolina is visiting her grandfather’s ranch in the desert. In this desolate setting, Carolina gains a new perspective on her family heritage and connections with the land through her grandfather’s stories.

Aimed at middle school youth, librarians will find an audience among children who enjoy realistic fiction along with a touch of magical realism. Fans of Pam Muñoz Ryan and Laura Resau are likely to enjoy the connections to Mexican cultural heritage. Multi-generational themes have been popular this year and this title is an outstanding example.

Published by Candlewick on March 8, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

App Review: MarcoPolo Ocean

MARCOPOLO OCEAN is an engaging learning app for budding young scientists.

Designed for preschool and early primary grades, the app provides an immersive environment for young children to explore ocean habitats and creatures.

Choosing an item from the Puzzle icon menu introduces a learning activity such as building a boat or creating an underwater habitat for octopi. Oral directions are provided along with visual assistance for young users. Each of the six activities reinforces vocabulary and ocean concepts.

Choosing an item from the Fish icon menu allows uses to add elements such as divers and sea creatures to the ocean and explore life under the sea.

Librarians will find this app to be a highly visual way to introduce the ocean to young learners. Create a display that includes books about ocean creatures found in the app. The app would be particularly useful for children with special needs.

Part of the Discovery Series, related apps include Arctic and Weather.

To learn more about MarcoPolo, go to http://gomarcopolo.com/

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/marcopolo-ocean/id797157312

Tech Review: National Aquarium

THE NATIONAL AQUARIUM app and website provide fascinating information about thousands of animals.

Sponsored by a nonprofit focusing on the world’s aquatic treasures, the website features a high-quality encyclopedia, webcams, and educational information.

The searchable Animals encyclopedia includes high quality photographs and information about thousands of creatures along with a link to the exhibit where this animal is found.

Their blog contains informative stories about science, conservation, and animals.

The teacher section includes printable booklets and fact sheets.

While the app doesn’t provide the detailed encyclopedia found at the website, it does provide a guide for visits and fun facts about the animals.

To visit the National Aquarium website, go to http://aqua.org/

Go to the Animals section of the National Aquarium website athttp://www.aqua.org/explore/animals.

To download the app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/a…/national-aquarium/id933624749….

Website Review: The World Under Water

The WORLD UNDER WATER website provides visualizations of what coastal regions will look like with rising sea levels.

The premise is simple. What’s the impact of rising sea levels? The website provides 360 views of a dozen well-known locations that may be impacted by rising sea levels at some point in the future. Viewers are invited to examine a preview of things to come.

Users are invited to enter an address or city to see what the area will look like in the future.

The Take Action area provides tools for calculating your emissions, offsetting your carbon footprint, and supporting a green project.

Librarians can use this website to jumpstart a discussion of climate change. Ask them to select a city and research the time it will take for sea levels to rise enough to impact the city shown in the visualization based on current estimates. Involve teams in comparing the projections from various websites they identify.

To learn more, go to http://www.worldunderwater.org.

Website Review: The Molecularium Project

THE MOLECULARIUM PROJECT is an educational outreach effort of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Nanotechnology Center. The website is intended to promote an interest and understanding of the molecular nature of the world in users of all ages.

Created as an online theme park, the website teaches learners about atoms and molecules through games, activities and short animations.

The NANOSPACE interactive website begins with a graphic interface with a science museum theme called the HALL OF ATOMS & MOLECULES. Background music and sounds make users feel like they’re exploring a busy museum. However, the audio feature can easily be turned off. An introductory YouTube video explains the basics of nanotechnology.

The THEATRE provides an overview of the full-length film Molecules to the Max! Then, provides users with the opportunity to watch seven short science videos.

The H20 PARK section provides a short video and activities including H20 Ferris Wheel, Who Wants to Be A Quindecillionaire and H20 Parlor.

The SIZES OF THE UNIVERSE area features Dimension Zone, Cosmic Calculations, MegaPenny Project, and Microlab to learn about size scales.

The DNA LAND includes a short DNA video, the Polypeptide Puzzler, Unravel the Chromosome, and Helix of Fortune activities.

The MATERIALS BLVD includes a short video on the topic of matter along with the What’s the Matter?, Carbon is Incredible, Periodic Memory and Polymer Chain Game.

The NANOSPACE Arcade provides access to five additional science activities including On Storm, Atomatic, Electronz, Mission to Bond, and Build ‘Em.

An EDUCATORS section provides downloadable (PDF) teacher resources for grades K-4 and 5-8. It also includes a guide with direct links to all the resources at the website for quick reference. This is very useful because students can easily miss sections when visiting the theme park interface.

This website provides a great way for librarians and science teachers to collaborate on STEM activities. Consider building a nanotechnology display in the library that includes the a laptop or tablet with the website along with books and hands-on science materials.

Visit THE MOLECULARIUM PROJECT website athttp://nanospace.molecularium.com/.

For lots of hands-on experiment ideas, go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Molecules-to-the-MAX/263266006094