For centuries, falling water has been used in parts of the world to create energy to run grinding stones at mills and irrigation systems for crops. This interesting book shows how the use of this “clean” form of energy, called hydroelectricity, is being expanded to help us build a more sustainable future. Discover how other forms of water-based energy, such as energy from ocean waves and tides, are being harnessed and used to help create electricity to power our homes, offices, and factories.
In 1974, an inventor named Victor Wouk became a man who could be described as ahead of his time. He had developed a prototype for the hybrid, a car that would become the most credible and commercially successful alternative to gasoline-powered vehicles.
The Amazon Rain Forest is home to tree-strangling vines, poison frogs and killer dolphins. And if it were its own country, it would be the ninth largest in the world! Imagine that! Readers will explore dangers of the rainforest and discover scientific mysteries along the way.
Growing plants and vegetables and studying food sources can help children make good food choices, which is likely to result in overall healthier lives. Readers will learn skills for choosing food wisely.
Habitats are home to a variety of plants and animals. They all have a role in keeping the habitat healthy. Plants and animals that live together in a habitat form a community. While thinking about their own backyard or local park, this book takes the reader on an exploration of the community living among the blades of green.
Finding forensic evidence, examining murder victims, and identifying injuries are all in a day’s work for these death investigators. Dead bodies need doctors too, and Medical Examiners are on the case!
Dogs can use their keen sense of smell to help law enforcement as part of teams called K-9 units. A mysterious bag in an airport? A car full of hidden drugs? A missing body in the woods? Don’t worry, K-9 Units are on the case!
Technology can help us find information. But it can hide secrets, too. Identity theft? A computer attack? A murderer sending messages to police? Don’t worry, Cybersecurity Experts are on the case!
Hurricane Harvey takes an in-depth look at the destruction wrought by 2017?s Hurricane Harvey in Texas and the Gulf Coast and the ensuing cleanup efforts. Features include essential facts, a glossary, selected bibliography, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
This book introduces artists to basic drawing concepts and describes in step-by-step instructions how to turn simple shapes into dinosaurs. Young readers will learn to draw a deinonychus, a stegosaurus, a brontosaurus, a Tyrannosaurus rex, and a pterodactyl. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.
Learn about makerspaces with Make It Yourself! Bots & Circuits! Young makers will discover what makerspaces are and how to hold maker events. Kids will create LED constellations, build robots, make flashlights, and more. Each project has color photos and easy-to-follow instructions. Special techniques and tips help kids make the most of their makerspace experiences. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.
Learn about wetland habitats with Super Simple Wetland Projects! Kids will discover what plants and animals live in wetlands and read about wetland food chains. Then, they will learn how to create a mini pond, make a giant firefly that glows, and more. Each project has color photos and easy-to-follow instructions. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Applied to STEM Concepts of Learning Principles.
This title introduces young readers to turquoise, the gemstone that's name is French for "Turkish"! Learn how turquoise is formed and where it is found. Historic and modern mining methods are detailed. The use of turquoise as a gemstone is examined including different colors and cuts. See how artisans and lapidaries create beautiful and useful jewelry with this mineral. Finally, a list of tools and tips will set young rock hounds up to unearth their own treasures. Glossary words in bold, an index, and phonetic spellings for those hard-to-pronounce geologic terms enhance and supplement the text. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.
This title introduces young readers to silver, the most conductive metal on earth! Learn how silver is formed and where it is found. Historic and modern mining methods are detailed. The many uses of silver are examined, from industrial applications in products such as computers and electric switches to medicines and antiseptic clothing! See how artisans such as silversmiths and lapidaries use silver to create beautiful and useful jewelry and wares. Finally, a list of tools and tips will set young rock hounds up to unearth their own treasures. Glossary words in bold, an index, and phonetic spellings for those hard-to-pronounce geologic terms enhance and supplement the text. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.
Albert Einstein rewrote the rules of physics and changed how scientists see space and time forever. Learn how a boy who struggled in school became one of history's most renowned scientists.
Science is all about the pursuit of knowledge. But sometimes that pursuit leads scientists down the wrong path, and things can go spectacularly wrong! Learn about some of the biggest fails in the history of science, from scientists accidentally poisoning themselves to accidentally poisoning the environment. Nuclear meltdowns, a space telescope that didn't work, and fake science all help illustrate how scientists sometimes fail and how they learn from their missteps.
Ships, bridges, and tall buildings are marvels of engineering. They are designed to be strong and safe. But even state-of-the-art designs don't always hold up in the real world. Learn about the biggest engineering goofs throughout history—from bridges that collapsed to ships that sank. Discover how engineering mistakes have also led to improvements, such as stricter building regulations and the use of sturdier materials.
There are many mysteries surrounding the moon. Where did it come from? And what could be hiding on its dark side? Take a look at the research scientists are doing to learn about the Earth's moon.
Without inventors, we wouldn't have cars, airplanes, or light bulbs. Inventors build devices that make our lives better. But not all inventions succeed. In fact, the history of inventions is filled with missteps and blunders. Learn about the biggest goofs—from flying cars to Smell-O-Vision. Discover how invention mistakes have also led to brand-new products, such as bubble wrap and sticky notes.
Explore some of history's biggest failures in medicine—from bloodletting to early remedies—and how some of those failures eventually led to success.
Stars decorate our sky every night, but we're still learning things about how they form and what they're made of. Dive into the many mysteries surrounding stars that scientists are investigating!
Could there be life on Mars? Scientists are trying to answer this and many other questions about our next-door planetary neighbor. Introduce young readers to the fascinating scientific mysteries surrounding Mars.
Self-steering bullets, drone swarms, and super-soldiers are at the front lines of tomorrow's military. Discover how these breakthroughs and more will help the next generation of US soldiers spy, fly, and fight. Take a jaw-dropping look at the future of military tech.
Stephen Hawking is one of the world's most celebrated and inspiring physicists, known for his theories on relativity, black holes, and quantum mechanics. He wrote the bestseller A Brief History of Time to explain a range of cosmology topics to the general public.
Technology is constantly changing the world we live in. But new tech doesn't always catch on right away, or even work like it's supposed to. In fact, the history of technology is filled with failures and mistakes—from computer bugs to an early version of the video phone. Discover how even successful tech companies, like Apple and Google, made major missteps along the way and learned from their mistakes.
