Books published by publisher Nomad Press

In Explore Fossils! With 25 Great Projects, readers can expand their dinosaur obsessions into learning opportunities that take them beyond Triceratops, Stegosaurus, and even Tyrannosaurus rex to other animals, plants, and microbes that lived long before humans.Explore Fossils! introduces young readers to the history of life on Earth as revealed by fossils. Kids learn how fossils form and about the different types of fossils and the world of long ago—its landscape and the plants and animals that lived then. Scientists use radiometric dating to test fossils to discover when they were made, what organisms made them, what those organisms used for energy, what killed them, and a whole lot of other information. All from rocks! That’s a lot of information stored under our feet.Activities include creating plaster fossils, using popcorn to illustrate radiometric dating, and exploring what might have caused mass extinctions by making a lava flow and simulating an asteroid impact.By studying the past, not only do students meet amazing plants and animals, they are also encouraged to consider their own role in geological time to make thoughtful hypotheses about the future.

A full-color, inspiring picture book about Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray’s 3,452-mile run across America in 80 days! As a teenager, Dave McGillivray heard a news story about a person biking across the United States. “What a great idea!” he thought. “But instead of a bike, I’ll use my sneakers!” This is the funny, touching, true story of McGillivray’s 80-day, 3,452-mile run from Medford, Oregon, to his hometown of Medford, Massachusetts. In Running Across America: A True Story of Dreams, Determination, and Heading for Home, McGillivray tells the tale of how he braved the Sierra and Rocky Mountains, millions of grasshoppers in Nebraska, days of pouring rain in Ohio, the occasional rattlesnake, and intensely sore knees. On top of it all, homesickness and doubt are constant companions as he tries to achieve his dream of running from coast-to-coast. And that’s not his only dream―the cross-country run is part of his goal to help kids in need. By making the run a fundraiser for the Jimmy Fund, McGillivray joins his favorite baseball team, the Red Sox, in making lives better for children battling cancer. Through 13 states, blistering heat, and being “pulled over” by a State Trooper, McGillivray relies on good friends, family, a sense of humor, and sheer determination to fulfill a dream―and to help kids who can’t run. • A true story with lots of humor and heart, this picture book is a follow-up to Dave McGillivray’s book about the first time he ran the Boston Marathon, Dream Big: A True Story of Courage and Determination.• Running Across America serves as the basis for McGillivray’s Dream Big "Marathon," a challenge explained at the end of the book for kids to run 26 miles, read 26 books, and do 26 acts of kindness in 26 weeks, sponsored by the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation.• Perfect for independent readers and as a read aloud nonfiction picture book.About Nomad PressNomad Press books bring real-world figures to life through fun, engaging narratives paired with dynamic, brightly colored illustrations. Elementary-aged children are introduced to the race director of the Boston marathon through a true tale of Dave McGillivray’s cross-country run. Nomad’s unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

This fun and educational introduction to the exciting field of robotics--the science of designing, building, and operating robots--gives kids the basic tools for creating their own robots using ordinary craft materials and parts salvaged from recycled toys and other household devices. Budding roboticists will learn how to create working models of robotic hands and arms, write "pencil and paper" computer programs, and design circuits that light up or make noise when sensors are activated. They'll also find out how other fields like chemistry, biology, and psychology are contributing to new breakthroughs, and see how artists, musicians and fashion designers are using robotics technology in their own work. Robotics: Discover the Science and Technology of the Future opens the door to the all-important STEM subjects -- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math -- while engaging kids in activities that let them use all their talents to come up with creative solutions to tricky problems and figure out how things work.

The 1920s is one of the most fascinating decades in American history, when the seeds of modern American life were sown. It was a time of prosperity and recovery from war, when women's roles began to change and advertising and credit made it desirable and easy to acquire a vast array of new products. But there was a dark side of crime and corruption, racial intolerance, hard times for immigrants and farmers, and an impending financial collapse.The Roaring Twenties: Discover the Era of Prohibition, Flappers, and Jazz explores all the different aspects of the time, from literature and music to politics, fashion, economics, and invention. To experience one of the most vibrant eras in US history, readers will debate the pros and cons of prohibition, create an advertising campaign for a new product, and analyze and compare events leading to the stock market crashes of 1929 and 2008.The Roaring Twenties meets common core state standards in language arts for reading informational text and literary nonfiction and is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards. Guided Reading Levels and Lexile measurements indicate grade level and text complexity.

Forensics: Uncover the Science and Technology of Crime Scene Investigation introduces students to the fascinating world of forensic science and shows them how to find clues, analyze evidence, and crack the case.Combining hands-on activities with forensic science, kids will have fun learning about the world of forensics, evidence collection, and crime lab analysis. Entertaining illustrations and fascinating sidebarsilluminate the topic and bring it to life, reinforcing new vocabulary.Projects include documenting a crime scene, identifying fingerprints, analyzing blood spatter, and extracting DNA. Additional materials include a glossary and a list of current reference works, websites, museums, and science centers.

A fascinating picture book biography about Mary Leakey, a paleontologist who worked long hours in the fields of Tanzania―includes STEM activities for real-world learning! What was the world like millions of years ago? Did early humans walk on all fours? Did giant sloths lie in trees? Did dinosaurs have feathers? Even as a young girl, Mary Leakey was fascinated by questions like these! In Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist, readers ages 5 to 8 meet Mary as a girl growing up in France and visiting the site of archeological wonders, such as Pech Merle, Fond de Gaume, and La Mouthe. As an adult, Mary spends much of her life working in the field in Tanzania, making discoveries that change the face of paleontology forever. True grit, passion, and high standards for scientific rigor made Mary a pioneer in the field of paleontology! * In the Picture Book Biography series, children encounter real-life characters who are thrilled to learn and experiment, eager to make a difference, and excited about collaborating with crew members. * Age-appropriate vocabulary, detailed illustrations, a timeline, simple STEM projects, such as exploring trace fossils and drawing specimens, and a glossary all support foundational learning for kids ages 5 to 8. * Perfect for beginner readers or as a read aloud nonfiction picture book! About Picture Book Biography books and Nomad Press Fossil Huntress is part of a set of four books in the Picture Book Biography series that introduces pioneers of science to young children. The other titles in this series include Space Adventurer: Bonnie Dunbar, Astronaut; Human Computer: Mary Jackson, Engineer; and Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughn, Computer Scientist. Nomad Press books in the Picture Book Biography series bring real-world figures to life through fun, engaging narratives paired with dynamic, brightly colored illustrations and quick activities that reinforce foundational learning. Elementary-aged children are encouraged to expand their perceptions of the roles of scientist, artist, explorer, and innovator by meeting women, people of color, and other minorities in the profession. Nomad's unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

How can something that grounds us and keeps us here on this earth be so invisible and mysterious? We’re not talking about anything abstract and undetectable. We’re talking about GRAVITY! Gravity is a force that affects everyone and everything. Gravity is something we can easily understand, even kids, especially if they have the right tools to teach them.Explore Gravity! With 25 Great Projects will introduce kids ages 6-9 to the basics of gravity, including concepts of matter, attraction, and gravitational pull. Projects include creating a working model of a scale to learn what “weight” really means and how it’s affected by gravity. By playing with various weights to make a marvelous mobile, readers learn about the center of balance and how martial artists use this knowledge to throw their weight around. All the projects in this book are easy to follow, require little adult supervision, and use commonly found household products, many from the recycling box! The fun facts, trivia, jokes, comics, and hands-on activities will help kids discover the captivating science of gravity. Furthermore, the informational text and hands-on activities will excite kids about STEM, the interrelated fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Tools of the Ancient Greeks: A Kid’s Guide to the History and Science of Life in Ancient Greece explores the scientific discoveries, athletic innovations, engineering marvels, and innovative ideas created more than two thousand years ago. Through biographical sidebars, interesting facts, fascinating anecdotes, and fifteen hands-on activities, readers will learn how Greek innovations and ideas have shaped world history and our own world view.

A fascinating exploration of why we do the things we do, according to science! Dive into the psychology of the human brain with STEM activities and research projects that get readers excited about learning their own minds. Psychology: Why We Smile, Strive, and Sing introduces students to the science behind behavior. From the developing teenage brain to genetics, psychology, and social environments, readers ages 12 to 15 gain a greater understanding of the complexities behind how we behave. Why does one person react to test anxiety by studying harder while another person gives up? As with all other behavior, the answer depends on many things: genetics, cultural and family expectations, previous behaviors, and a person’s own special blend of attitudes and values. Plenty of text-to-self and text-to-world connections provide a foundation for deeper learning. • Hands-on STEM activities and research projects such as testing teenage risk-taking thought processes, conformity experiments, and exploring mindfulness and empathy engage readers beyond the text.• Psychology includes graphic novel style illustrations, fascinating sidebars, and interesting trivia.• Psychology integrates a digital learning component by providing links to primary sources, videos, and other relevant websites. Text-to-self and text-to-world connections make learning applicable and fundamental. About the Inquire & Investigate Human Science set and Nomad Press Psychology: Why We Smile, Strive, and Sing is part of a set of three Inquire & Investigate Human Science books that explore the human body, genes, and brain. The other titles in this series are The Human Genome: Mapping the Blueprint of Human Life and Inside the Human Body. Nomad Press books in the Inquire & Investigate series integrate content with participation, encouraging readers to engage in student-directed learning. Combining content with inquiry-based projects stimulates learning and makes it active and alive. Nomad’s unique approach simultaneously grounds kids in factual knowledge while allowing them the space to be curious, creative, and critical thinkers. All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

Make a geodesic dome big enough to sit in. Solve one of the world’s hardest two-piece puzzles. Pass a straight line through a curved slot.From prime numbers to paraboloids, Amazing Math Projects You Can Build Yourself introduces readers ages 9 and up to the beauty and wonder of math through hands-on activities. Kids will cut apart shapes to discover area formulas, build beautiful geometric models to explore their properties, and amaze friends with the mysterious Möbius strip.Learning through examples of how we encounter math in our daily lives, children will marvel at the mathematical patterns in snowflakes and discover the graceful curves in the Golden Gate Bridge. Readers will never look at soap bubbles the same way again!Amazing Math Projects You Can Build Yourself includes projects about number patterns, lines, curves, and shapes. Each activity includes intriguing facts, vocabulary builders, and connections to other topics. A companion website, includes video instructions for many projects in the book and provides additional activities.

Who is the lady who floated to the moon? Did a monkey really hatch from an egg? Did tears bring down the Great Wall of China? Does the sky rest on the legs of a turtle? In Explore Ancient Chinese Myths! With 25 Projects, readers ages 7 to 10 soar on a journey through ancient China to learn about history, geography, science, and art through stories that have been told and retold for thousands of years. They learn the tales of past heroes and wise kings, brave goddesses and gods who brought riches, rain, and immortality. Then there are the gods who taught people how to live by sharing their knowledge of agriculture, writing, music, and math. The myths and legends told by the ancient Chinese that have survived into modern times showcase the ingenuity and passion that this culture has applied to problem solving and cultural expression. Through the 25 hands-on projects, kids will have fun and gain a deeper understanding of ancient Chinese myths. Projects include making mooncakes, writing in Chinese, designing a New Year’s story board game, and observing the stars. Exploring myths and legends is also a way to discover how ancient China is still impacting the world today through inventions such as fireworks, silk, paper, and printing. In addition, kids will be invited to think about how Chinese culture is similar or different from their life today. By combining social studies and literature with activities, fun facts, jokes, and cartoons, Explore Ancient Chinese Myths offers the opportunity to discover Ancient China through myths and legends.

For anyone who's ever dreamed of ruling over their own empire, here's your chance! Micronations are imaginary countries that have a lot of the same things as real ones: laws, customs, history, and their own flags, coins, and postage stamps. Micronations: Invent Your Own Country and Culture takes readers step-by-step to create their own unique realm, using examples from real nations, micronations, and fictional lands. What makes a country a country? What symbols and systems define a country and help it function? Learn about geography and government, technology and the environment, art and culture, and the literary device of "world-building" used in works like The Hobbit and Harry Potter.Kids get to invent their own language, music, games, clothing, food, and holidays to fit their micronation's tradition. Whether they create a land of time travel where every city exists in a different epoch or an underwater monarchy whose chief export is fish, Micronations: Invent Your Own Country and Culture will engage kids' imagination and teach make-believe rulers how the real world works.This title meets Common Core State Standards for literacy in language arts, history and social studies; Guided Reading Levels and Lexile measurements indicate grade level and text complexity.