Books in Mission: Space Science series

Planet Earth supports a great variety of life, and because it is a living system, it is always changing. But many changes damage Earth’s ability to maintain and renew itself. Global warming, acid rain, and deforestation have caused problems that may not be able to be fixed. It is the responsibility of Earth’s human population to protect the planet’s resources so that future generations can continue to live and thrive. For more information, read Rachel Carson: Renowned Marine Biologist and Environmentalist, another book in the Mission: Science series.

Wind, rain, hail, thunder, and sand are all aspects of a storm. Nowhere on Earth is storm-proof. From tornadoes to blizzards to sandstorms, the weather can be a dangerous threat to people. Scientists called meteorologists study what causes storms and when and where they may occur. For more information on weather, read Weather Scientists, another book in the Mission: Science series.

Earth’s crust is always moving and changing. It is made up of many individual pieces, called plates, which move and collide, pushed and pulled by molten magma under the planet’s surface. The movement of these plates creates landforms such as mountains and trenches, and causes natural phenomena such as volcanoes and tsunamis. Scientist Alfred Wegener was among the first to recognize the existence of these plates and explain their behavior. For more information, read Alfred Wegener: Pioneer of Plate Tectonics, another book in the Mission: Science series.

The human body is made up of 12 unique systems. The systems work together to keep the body healthy and running. Without these systems, we couldn’t walk, talk, or digest food. Doctors spend years learning about the human body and how to treat it when something goes wrong. Illnesses and injuries prevent the body from functioning correctly. Knowing how the systems run helps us to stay in the best physical shape possible. For more information, read Hippocrates: Father of Medicine, another book in the Mission: Science series.

In this book, students will blast off with astronauts Edward White and James McDivitt as they make their way to space in 1965. Tied to the capsule by a long cord called an umbilicus, White became the first American astronaut to walk in space. This was a historic event in itself, and another important step in the United States space program's quest to reach the Moon.

Rocks are found everywhere on Earth, and come in various sizes, shapes, colors, and textures. Some can be used to build roads, while others are used for making jewelry and glass. Rocks like coal can make electricity to heat buildings. Rocks can also hold fossils, which tell scientists about life long ago. Rocks help keep people healthy through vitamins and minerals. For more information, read Geologists: From Pythias to Goldring, another book in the Mission: Science series.