Books in Adventures in science series

Heidi Hammel is an out-of-this world explorer. With her feet planted firmly on Earth, she takes trips millions of miles out into space. How does she do this? Heidi Hammel is a planetary astronomer, a scientist who uses the world’s most powerful telescopes to learn about planets. By making remarkable discoveries in the farthest reaches of our solar system, Heidi also helps us better understand the planet we call home. The giant planets Neptune and Uranus are Heidi’s specialties. She was on the team that first spotted Neptune’s Great Dark Spot, a raging storm as big as Earth. Heidi also led a team of astronomers tracking the Great Comet Crash, a spectacular event in which a fragmented comet pounded Jupiter for an entire week. There’s no telling what Heidi will find when she peers into a telescope. That’s what makes her work exciting. Beyond Jupiter is the fascinating story of a scientist and her science. To tell this true tale of adventure, author Fred Bortz draws on firsthand accounts from Heidi and her friends, family, and colleagues. How did a down-to-earth girl grow up to be one of the world’s most highly respected astronomers? The life story of Heidi Hammel will intrigue and inspire readers of all ages. This title aligns to Common Core standards: Interest Level Grades 6 - 8; Reading Level Grade level Equivalent: 7.1: Lexile Measure: 1080L; DRA: Not Available; Guided Reading: Z Table of ContentsSample Chapter 1: A Date with Two Planets

Learn valuable programming skills while building your own Minecraft adventure! If you love playing Minecraft and want to learn how to code and create your own mods, this book was designed just for you. Working within the game itself, you'll learn to set up and run your own local Minecraft server, interact with the game on PC, Mac and Raspberry Pi, and develop Python programming skills that apply way beyond Minecraft. You'll learn how to use coordinates, how to change the player’s position, how to create and delete blocks and how to check when a block has been hit. The adventures aren't limited to the virtual – you'll also learn how to connect Minecraft to a BBC micro:bit so your Minecraft world can sense and control objects in the real world! The companion website gives you access to tutorial videos to make sure you understand the book, starter kits to make setup simple, completed code files, and badges to collect for your accomplishments. Written specifically for young people by professional Minecraft geeks, this fun, easy-to-follow guide helps you expand Minecraft for more exciting adventures, and put your personal stamp on the world you create. Your own Minecraft world will be unlike anyone else's on the planet, and you'll pick up programming skills that will serve you for years to come on other devices and projects. Among other things, you will: Write Minecraft programs in Python® on your Mac®, PC or Raspberry Pi® Build houses, structures, and make a 3D duplicating machine Build intelligent objects and program an alien invasion Build huge 2D and 3D structures like spheres and pyramids Build a custom game controller using a BBC micro:bit™ Plan and write a complete interactive arena game Adventures in Minecraft teaches you how to make your favourite game even better, while you learn to program by customizing your Minecraft journey.

Cynthia Breazeal is a creature creator. Armed with electronic gadgets, software programs, and her endless imagination, she creates lifelike machines that can respond to the world around them. Cynthia Breazeal is a roboticist, a scientist who designs, builds, and experiments with robots. As a child, she relied on movies to see robots in action. Now robots are part of her daily life at the MIT Media Lab. There, she and her students use their computer science and engineering skills to work on marvels like Leonardo, a robot that interacts with people in ways that seem almost human. Cynthia's other world-famous projects include Kismet, an emotionally intelligent robot that smiles, frowns, and babbles like a baby. Why create robots like these? Cynthia can picture a future where sociable robots exist to benefit people. She works hard every day to turn that dream into a reality. Firsthand accounts from Cynthia and from those who know her best combine to tell the inspiring story of a curious, sports-loving girl who went on to become a worldclass roboticist. Robo World is also a Captivating story of high-tech invention where the stuff of science fiction becomes real in today's labs. This title aligns to Common Core standards: Interest Level Grades 6 - 8; Reading Level Grade level Equivalent: 7.1: Lexile Measure: 1080L; DRA: Not Available; Guided Reading: Z Table of ContentsSample Chapter 1: Visiting An Old Friend

The complete beginner's guide to Python, for young people who want to start today Adventures in Python is designed for 11-to 15-year olds who want to teach themselves Python programming, but don't know where to start. Even if you have no programming experience at all, this easy to follow format and clear, simple instruction will get you up and running quickly. The book walks you through nine projects that teach you the fundamentals of programming in general, and Python in particular, gradually building your skills until you have the confidence and ability to tackle your own projects. Video clips accompany each chapter to provide even more detailed explanation of important concepts, so you feel supported every step of the way. Python is one of the top programming languages worldwide, with an install base in the millions. It's a favourite language at Google, YouTube, the BBC, and Spotify, and is the primary programming language for the Raspberry Pi. As an open-source language, Python is freely downloadable, with extensive libraries readily available, making it an ideal entry into programming for the beginner. Adventures in Python helps you get started, giving you the foundation you need to follow your curiosity. Start learning Python at its most basic level Learn where to acquire Python and how to set it up Understand Python syntax and interpretation for module programming Develop the skills that apply to any programming language Python programming skills are invaluable, and developing proficiency gives you a head start in learning other languages like C++, Objective-C, and Java. When learning feels like fun, you won't ever want to stop – so get started today with Adventures in Python.

Build cool Raspberry Pi projects with no experience required! Adventures in Raspberry Pi, 3rd Edition is the fun guide to learning programming. Starting from the very basics and building skill upon skill, you'll learn developing fundamentals―even if you've never programmed before. Learning is exciting when you're working your way through cool projects, but the concepts you learn and the skills you master will take you further than you ever thought possible. You'll learn how your Raspberry Pi 3 works and what it can do as you create stories and games, program shapes, code music, and even build Minecraft worlds with projects designed specifically for kids 11 to 15. Author Carrie Anne Philbin is a former high school teacher, and she showcases her skills with clear, easy to follow instructions and explanations every step of the way. If you're interested in programming but find other books hard to understand, this book is your ideal starting point for mastering the Raspberry Pi. Inexpensive, non-intimidating, yet surprisingly versatile, the Raspberry Pi 3 is an ideal way to learn programming. Updated to align with the newest board, this book will teach you fundamental programming skills while having a ton of fun! Get acquainted with your Raspberry Pi's bits and pieces Take control of your Pi's "insides" with simple commands Program games, code music, and build a jukebox Discover where your new skills can take you next The tiny, credit-card sized Raspberry Pi has become a huge hit among kids―and adults―interested in programming. It does everything your desktop can do, but with a few basic programming skills, you can make it do so much more. With simple instructions, fun projects, and solid skills, Adventures in Raspberry Pi is the ultimate kids' programming guide!

Diane France loves bones. Why? Because they talk to her. Every skeleton she meets whispers secrets about the lifeâ€"and deathâ€"of its owner. Diane France can hear those secrets because she’s a forensic anthropologist, a bone detective. She has the science skills and know-how to examine bones for clues to a mystery: Who was this person and how did he or she die? Bones tell Diane about the life and times of famous people in history, from a Russian royal family to American outlaws and war heroes. They speak to her about murders, mass disasters, and fatal accidents. One day she’s collecting skeletal evidence at a crime scene. A phone call later she’s jetting to the site of a plane crash or other unexpected tragedy to identify victims. Young readers will be captivated by the thrilling real-life story of this small-town girl full of curiosity and mischief who became a world-famous bone detective. This title aligns to Common Core standards: Interest Level Grades 6 - 8; Reading Level Grade level Equivalent: 7.1: Lexile Measure: 1080L; DRA: Not Available; Guided Reading: Z Table of ContentsSample Chapter 1: Diane France's Brain

Join Chris Hadfield living on the International Space Station! This book examines the extraordinary life of one of the most popular astronauts, from his early life to the six months he spent living in space. Discover what the International Space Centre is used for, and how astronauts like Hadfield can live there. Find out about the rigorous training that astronauts undergo and how they prepare for a journey into the unknown.