Books in Science Matters series

A crack of lightning. The blue glow of a phone screen. A blinking firefly. The blazing sun. A camera’s rapid flash. No matter the source, light travels in waves, and it does so at a speed faster than anything else in the universe. But what is light, anyway, and how do we study it? In this book, readers in grades 4-9 will learn about light waves and light’s properties and how people–and animals–manipulate light for their own purposes.This series features a variety of science topics aligned to NGSS standards. From mixing matter to the study of sound waves, each informative book includes a glossary, comprehension questions, and an activity for home or the classroom.

How much freshwater is there on Earth? Can science help us use water more efficiently? The 'Why Science Matters' series demonstrates how the science we learn at school is important in every aspect of our everyday lives. Using case studies and investigations, the series describes the development of science and technologies that can improve our lives – or lead to new scientific challenges and controversies. In 'Managing and Using Water', we find out about the most vital resource on Earth and how it shapes our landscape. We learn the importance of water as a solvent, how the power of flowing water can be harnessed to provide us with energy, how drinking water is cleaned and sewage treated, and new technologies to combat water shortages around the world.

What do a carrot and a kangaroo have in common? They’re made of matter, just like everything else in the universe! In this book, readers in grades 4-9 will discover how we measure matter and how it changes, mixes, and reacts. These reactions make life possible!This series features a variety of science topics aligned to NGSS standards. From mixing matter to the study of sound waves, each informative book includes a glossary, comprehension questions, and an activity for home or the classroom.

How much oil is there left on Earth? Can science replace the fossil fuels we use? The 'Why Science Matters' series demonstrates how the science we learn at school is important in every aspect of our everyday lives. Using case studies and investigations, the series describes the development of science and technologies that can improve our lives – or lead to new scientific challenges and controversies. In 'Finding and Using Oil', we find out science and technology help us find, refine and use the chemical also known as “black gold”. We learn the importance of understanding the chemistry of hydrocarbons, how they can be separated into useful fuels, and how oil is the basis for plastics. And there’s discussion of the world’s oil reserves, their sustainability, and our continued reliance on oil as a fuel.

What is the Red List? Should wolves be re-introduced where people live? Can embryo implantation help threatened species? The 'Why Science Matters' series demonstrates how the science we learn at school is important in every aspect of our everyday lives. Using case studies and investigations, the series describes the development of science and technologies that can improve our lives or lead to new scientific challenges and controversies. In 'Protecting Threatened Species', we find out how a significant proportion of the worlds wildlife is under threat and about the efforts being made to preserve habitats and species. We learn how scientists monitor and analyze threatened populations, how they manage conservation programs, and we look at the range of technologies available in the fight to prevent species becoming extinct.

Why is the Sun vital to life on Earth? How does the Sun affect our weather and ocean currents? Can science solve the problems of fossil fuel shortages and climate change? The 'Why Science Matters' series demonstrates how the science we learn at school is important in every aspect of our everyday lives. Using case studies and investigations, the series describes the development of science and technologies that can improve our lives – or lead to new scientific challenges and controversies. In 'Harnessing the Sun’s Energy', we find out how the enormous power of the Sun can be used to meet the world’s growing energy needs. We find out about the significance of energy transfers and the role of sunlight in food chains and webs, and examples of new technologies that can provide us with environmentally-sound energy.

Does science sometimes seem dry and boring? Why do we need to learn about it? "Why Science Matters" demonstrates how the science we learn at school is important in every aspect of our everyday lives. Using case studies and investigations, the series describes the development of science and technologies that can improve out lives - or lead to new scientific challenges and controversies. In "Using Genetic Technology" we find out about the potential benefits and risks of technologies, such as gene therapy, which have to be balanced against one another. We learn how characteristics of living things are the combined result of a number of genes, and how scientists can alter an organism by altering its genetic make-up. We discover how it could become normal to grow crops or raise farm animals to produce drugs and medicines, in the same way that we farm them for food, milk, or wool today.

What is an opportunistic infection? How are drugs trialed? What is “pharming’? The 'Why Science Matters' series demonstrates how the science we learn at school is important in every aspect of our everyday lives. Using case studies and investigations, the series describes the development of science and technologies that can improve our lives – or lead to new scientific challenges and controversies. In 'Finding Better Medicines', we learn how the body fights illness and infection and sometimes needs the help of medicines to be cured. We find how some drugs we now take for granted (such as aspirin and penicillin) were developed, how pharmaceutical companies research and improve new drugs, and how advanced technologies such as genetic engineering can be used to create plants and animals that can be farmed for medicines.

This book shows the relevance of science to our everyday lives, relating what is learnt in school to real-world examples familiar or accessible to readers. It profiles real scientists and their research, providing information and links about careers in the field. It features 'Science You Learn' panels to show students the relevance of the curriculum concepts taught in school. It teaches students about the importance of science, its numerous applications, and the implications of scientific discovery for the world.