Books with author Stephen M. Tomecek

From the music that thumps through a listener's headphones to the strains of an orchestra funing up for a performance, science plays a vital role in how we hear and create music. Music examines what music is and how scientific principles help control how it is made, and also delves into the histories and workings of different types of musical instruments. Explore the roots of modern techno music, find out who invented the first synthesizer, and discover how modern electronics have changed the way music is made. Hands-on activities allow a closer look into topics such as how the tension in a drum head helps control the pitch and how opera singers can break glass with only their voices. Experimenting with everyday Science investigates the science at work in our daily lives. Each book in the set provides historical background and how things work explanations that cover earth science, biology, chemistry, and/or physics topics. To build on these ideas and make scientific concepts clearer, each book also features at least 25 hands-on, illustrated experiments that readers can do using simple materials found at home or school.

Tall buildings dominate the landscape of most major cities, and crowds stare in awe of masterpieces in museums around the world. But how is science involved? Art and Architecture explores some of the scientific principles in sculpture, painting, photography, and the design and construction of buildings. Learn how light creates the colors you see in a painting and how holograms are produced. Discover the history of architecture from the ancient stone pyramids of Egypt to modern structures made from glass and steel. Hands-on activities help bring the science of art and architecture to life with topics ranging from how the forces of tension and compression affect the design of a bridge to how perspective in a drawing can make a picture look more lifelike.

Global warming has become one of the most talked-about topics in the scientific community. Many scientists believe that humans are to blame for climate change and have presented a great deal of scientific evidence that shows Earth's climate is warming at an alarming rate. Others claim that climatic changes are due to natural causes that have operated throughout Earth's history or that global warming is nothing but a hoax designed to scare people into changing their way of life. By examining the history and scientific facts behind climate change and the role humans may be playing in it, Global Warming and Climate Change gets to the heart of the controversy and allows readers to draw their own conclusions about one of the most important topics in science.

Tall buildings dominate the landscape of most major cities, and crowds stare in awe of masterpieces in museums around the world. But how is science involved? Art and Architecture explores some of the scientific principles in sculpture, painting, photography, and the design and construction of buildings. Learn how light creates the colors you see in a painting and how holograms are produced. Discover the history of architecture from the ancient stone pyramids of Egypt to modern structures made from glass and steel. Hands-on activities help bring the science of art and architecture to life with topics ranging from how the forces of tension and compression affect the design of a bridge to how perspective in a drawing can make a picture look more lifelike.

For hitting the game-winning run to running a record-breaking race, science is involved in every aspect of playing sports. Sports illustrates the scientific principles involved in sports such as soccer, football, gymnastics, and skateboarding, as well as why it's important for athletes to stay in good physical shape. Twenty-five hands-on activities explore such topics as finding the sweet spot of a bat and why hitting a ball there gives you the best chance of hitting a homerun, in addition to how Newton's Laws of Motion can explain the way a skateboard works. This title is perfect for those curious about how science is involved in sports and for athletes looking to scientifically gain a competitive edge.