Most Popular Books by Jennifer Swanson

Most scientists agree that Earth is warming rapidly. Glaciers are melting and rising seawaters are submerging islands and coastal cities. In the coming decades, millions will likely have to escape extreme weather caused by climate change. Some scientists say we need to act faster and with radical new technologies—now—to save our planet. They propose geoengineering, or "engineering Earth," to reset our global thermostat. Ideas include thickening clouds with chemicals to reduce the amount of sunlight and pulling carbon dioxide from the air with machines. However, critics say that geoengineering could backfire and create even worse weather. Is geoengineering too risky? Or is it our best hope of survival?

Love to work with animals? Want to study them in the wild? Wish you could become a zookeeper? Become a zoologist! Zoology is the study of everything having to do with animals, including how and why they look, act, and behave in their environments and with other animals. As a zoologist, you might go on an expedition to Africa to study how elephants solve problems. You could take care of tigers at a zoo. You might even study how climate change can affect underwater creatures. In Zoology: Cool Women Who Work With Animals, readers ages 9 to 12 are inspired by stories of women who have made great strides in a field that requires commitment, courage, and creativity to pursue. Many of you have heard of the famous zoologists Charles Darwin, Jack Hanna, and Steve Irwin, but do you know Terri Irwin, Dian Fossey, and Rachel Carson? For many decades, female zoologists have been defining the field by advancing the global environmental movement while researching and advocating for all species of animals. Zoology: Cool Women Who Work With Animals introduces readers to three women in the field of zoology who are making an impact and inspiring the next generation of zoologists. Stephanie Kim is a graduate student in Canada studying different species of birds. Elise Newman works as a zookeeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Dr. Erin Seney is a sea turtle researcher with the University of Central Florida. Nomad Press books in the Girls in Science series supply a bridge between girls’ interests and their potential futures by investigating science careers and introducing women who have succeeded in science. Compelling stories of real-life zoologists provide readers with role models that they can look toward as examples of success. Zoology: Cool Women Who Work With Animals uses primary sources, essential questions, and knowledge connections to encourage both boys and girls to explore the animal world while being inspired to ask what role they might play in the field of zoology.

Have you ever wondered how astronauts stay healthy in space? What if an astronaut gets sick on the space station? Does snot run in space? This fascinating photo-illustrated look at space and medicine explores how scientists and physicians study astronauts in space, how they help keep them safe, and what we've learned about the human body through space exploration. Questions from real kids and answers form from astronauts, along with photos from NASA, combine for an out-of-this-world exploration of health.

A close-up look at sports and nanotechnology, the cutting-edge science that manipulates objects at the atomic level. How are the sports played by Michael Phelps, Serena Williams, Michelle Wie, and Usain Bolt related? Nanotechnology! A rapidly growing scientific field, nanotechnology is used to create high-tech swimsuits, tennis rackets, golf clubs, running shoes, and more. It is changing the face of sports as we know it. Cutting-edge science; high-performance sports

"For kids ages 8 to 12, The Science of Sports combines kid-friendly language and vibrant, original illustrations to show how principles of STEM are behind every soccer kick, slap shot, home run, and slam dunk"--

"Describes what magnetism is and how it works through humor and core science content"--Provided by publisher.

Feeling inventive? Get ready to bust boredom with wacky experiments Learn how to create lightning bolts, build a catapult, and much more. With clear instructions and helpful photos, busting boredom with experiments has never been more fun.

The differences and similarities between the deep ocean and outer space.

Have you ever tried to come up with ways to solve a problem in your community? Wangari Maathai worked to solve an environmental crisis and help people at the same time. When Maathai was young, it was unusual for girls in Kenya to go to school, but she was determined to learn more about science and nature. As an adult, she noticed that people were cutting down too many trees. Maathai knew that forest loss was bad for the health of the environment and people. She started the Green Belt Movement, which educated women in rural villages and paid them for every tree they planted. The program helped plant millions of trees and brought money to the villages. For her environmental and human rights work, Maathai became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

After local fishers noticed a large swarm of fish in an unlikely area in the Gulf of Mexico, a team of divers found a unique, thriving ecosystem, full of fish, crustaceans, and other unusual organisms. The region did not contain a reef, a shipwreck, or similar habitat that would attract these creatures. Why were they there? They were feasting on the remains of an ancient cypress forest. The ancient trees had been undisturbed for more than fifty thousand years before finally being uncovered by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. But how did this forest come to be underwater? And what other treasures might be discovered there? A group of scientists wanted to investigate this unusual site. Some were interested in an organism found in the underwater forest—the shipworm—that could potentially be used for the creation of life-saving medicines. Others wanted to learn what the forest might reveal about climate change. Follow along as Jennifer Swanson explores the wonders of the lost forest, from its history and discovery to the scientists’ expeditions to collect samples and map the forest.

In the late 1930s, times were desperate. The world found itself at war again, less than twenty years after the first World War had ended. No one could quite believe it. And no one wanted it. The leaders of every country involved were left with no choice. They had to try to end the war as fast as possible, using whatever means they could. That meant coming up with secret operations meant to deceive, deflect, and confuse their enemies. Poison the cattle that the Germans eat? Deliberately float a corpse dressed up as a spy across the water to have it wash up on Germany's shore? Create a unit of top secret commandos with a license to kill? These were all real tactics attempted with the ultimate goal of defeating Hitler. In this off-center look at history, readers will be captivated by the classified and covert efforts made by each side as they tried to gain the upper hand and win the war. Restricted access is lifted to give the reader a peek into the top secret operations of the daring men and women who fought the war under a cloak of secrecy.

"Describes various top-secret projects, including the Manhattan Project, Nazi experimentation, and several others"--

"Describes what electricity is and how it works through humor and core science content"--Provided by publisher.

Everything moves! Kids run around the playground, cars drive on the road, and balls fly through the air. What causes all this motion? Physics! Forces and motion rule the way everything moves through space. In Explore Forces and Motion! With 25 Great Projects, readers ages 7 through 10 discover that the push and pull of every object on the planet and in space depends on how a force acts upon it. Things float because of a force called buoyancy, we stick to the ground because of a force called gravity, and we make footprints in sand because of a force called pressure. Physics becomes accessible and interactive through activities such as a experimenting with a water cup drop, building a bridge, and spotting magnetic field lines. Simple machines such as levers, pulleys, and wedges are used as vehicles for discovery and comprehension of the foundational concepts of physical science. Using a theme familiar to everyone—motion—this book captures the imagination and encourages young readers to push, pull, twist, turn, and spin their way to learning about forces and motion.

Chemistry? No problem! This Big Fat Notebook covers everything you need to know during a year of high school chemistry class, breaking down one big bad subject into accessible units. Learn to study better and get better grades using mnemonic devices, definitions, diagrams, educational doodles, and quizzes to recap it all. Including: Atoms, elements, compounds and mixtures The periodic table Quantum theory Bonding The mole Chemical reactions and calculations Gas laws Solubility pH scale Titrations Le Chatelier's principle ...and much more!

"Describes microbes commonly found on the human body"--

When Thomas Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, he needed a team to survey that vast, unknown expanse of land. He chose Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Together, they led the Corps of Discovery, a team of intrepid explorers across a wild, dangerous country. Readers will understand the impact Lewis and Clark's expedition had on American history in this detailed account. Follow their journey across roaring rivers, vast plains, and untrod paths, and learn about the Native Americans they met, the fierce wildlife that threatened their lives, and the hunger, sickness, and injury that dogged them from start to finish.

Readers will be surprised to find out that their poop is good for building things. They'll learn how animals use poop to construct nests, homes, and even fences. People mold it into bricks for houses and plop it on fences for support. It's biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and can add a bit of spice to any home construction project. This book meets NGSS Standards for grades 3 to 5 for STEM curriculum.

Follow along as these two pet detectives, Penny and Rio, investigate why a cat, a groundhog, a squirrel and an owl are in their back yard.

A whistle-stop tour of the most amazing features and places on planet Earth, illustrated with LEGO models, including tips for budding LEGO builders Explore our amazing planet-and learn to build the most incredible things on Earth! There is so much to see on planet Earth. From the rainforest canopy to the deepest depths of the Pacific Ocean, discover plants, animals, and the geological features that make up our planet. Travel the continents and look inside volcanoes, mountains, geysers, and much more. Visit the Amazon, check out the world's tallest waterfall, and explore the most incredible places on the planet without leaving home. With more than 100 LEGO models to inspire you, what on Earth will you build?

Turning an idea into a product or service takes dedication and perseverance, but the best part is anyone can do it. This savvy volume presents practical ways for becoming an entrepreneur and starting a business, including researching ideas, products, and services, as well as compiling a business plan and details to include in it, market research and testing, calculating start-up costs, finding funds for investment in the business, keeping costs under control, patent protection, insurance, manufacturing costs and building on service, licensing, hiring employees, advertising (including Internet marketing), keeping up with demand, and maintaining focus on a thriving business.

As spectacular as its creation was, the fall of the Mongol Empire was just as remarkable. Its descent into chaos was signaled by inter-family rebellion across the four khanates established by Genghis Khan. As weaker Mongol leaders struggled to retain control, drought, flood, famine, and the bubonic plague eventually contributed to the collapse of each khanate. As this volume amply demonstrates, though the Mongols were fierce warriors, their legacy also includes a culture of honor and discipline, centralized government structure, trade promotion and communication routes, and religious tolerance—all of which helped spread wealth, information, and technology across two continents.

The late fifteenth century was alive with dreams of world exploration. As the first Portuguese adventurer to sail from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean, Bartolomeu Dias was one of the most important. His voyage around the tip of Africa, past the Cape of Good Hope, paved the way for future explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Columbus. Follow along with Bartolomeu as he battles huge storms, rough seas, dwindling supplies, and even a near mutiny on a historic trip that resulted in opening seagoing trade routes for all of Europe and Asia.

The benefits offered by wearable devices seem limitless, and for many people, the devices are really chic. These wireless gadgets can track the number of steps people take each day; measure their heart rates, the number of calories they ate, or the amount of energy they expended; or access data by using cloud computing. "Wearables"--bracelets, rings, eyeglasses, necklaces, shoe clips, and more--enable individuals to read, text, send e-mails, stay connected via social networks, or access the Internet as they walk. This intriguing volume also explains the devices' cutting-edge medical applications, including as impact indicators for concussion studies.

Introduces readers to robots and robotics, from how they were developed and the materials used to create them to the jobs they are tasked with and where the field of robotics is heading.

"Information and photographs about dolphins"--

Scientists believe that all forms of life developed from earlier types of living things through a process called evolution. In this intriguing and engaging narrative, readers learn that living organisms must adapt to survive as their surroundings change. By studying the developmental history of everything from single cell organisms to complex vertebrates, readers are presented with the evidence for evolution provided by the fossil record. Charles Darwin and the process of natural selection are discussed. In addition, the work of Gregor Mendel opens a window onto genetics and gets readers thinking about how genes work together to produce specific traits.

Jump in the driver's seat for this entertaining, STEM-filled tour of the history of car production and the science and engineering that makes cars safe. Cars take us to work. To school. To soccer practice. To the grocery store and home again. Can you imagine a world without them? It's not so easy! One of the reasons we can use cars so much in our everyday lives is because they are safe to drive. But that hasn't always been the case. If it weren't for the experiments conducted over decades that involved all kinds of crash test volunteers―dead, alive, animal, or automated―cars as we know them might not be around. And then how would you get to school? Filled with historical photographs, graphics and humorous illustrations, this nonfiction book from science educator and award-winning author Jennifer Swanson will appeal to lovers of all things that go and readers who are interested in getting under the hood and seeing how things work.

Students can determine the meaning of key terms and relationships involving money, savings strategies, economics, and finance in this informational text that presents ten secrets in building the bank account of their dreams. They learn tips for increasing income, developing a savings plan, keeping a budget, spending wisely, starting an education fund, building an emergency fund, investing, and making their saving a habit. Sidebars such as "Myths and Facts" and "10 Great Questions to Ask a Financial Adviser" along with fascinating financial fact boxes allow readers additional exploration into related information.

Life on Earth is never boring. What actually happens when Earth unleashes its fury? This title gives you an up-close look at the power of our planet. With well-researched, clearly written informational text, primary sources with accompanying questions, charts, graphs, diagrams, timelines, and maps, multiple prompts, and more, you?ll know all you need to know about tsunamis! Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

Getting from one place to another sounds easy if you are on a straight piece of land, but what if you have to get over--or under--a body of water or a deep gorge? Build a bridge! Bridges! With 25 Science Projects for Kids introduces readers ages 7 to 10 to the concepts and vocabulary of bridge construction through the lenses of history, science, engineering, math, and technology.

Engineers design our modern world. They combine science and technology to create incredible vehicles, structures, and objects. This title examines amazing feats of electrical engineering. Engaging text explores the global positioning system, solar power plants, and self-driving cars. It also examines the engineers who made these projects a reality and traces the history of the discipline. Relevant sidebars, stunning photos, and a glossary aid readers' understanding of the topic. A hands-on project and career-planning chart give readers a sense of what it takes to become an engineer. Additional features include a table of contents, a selected bibliography, source notes, and an index, plus essential facts about each featured feat of engineering. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Rewild your life! With metal corners and 448 full-color, highly illustrated pages, OUTDOOR SCHOOL: ROCK, FOSSIL, AND SHELL HUNTING is an indispensable tool for young explorers and rock collectors. Make every day an adventure with the included: - Immersive activities to get you exploring - Write-in sections to journal about experiences - Next-level adventures to challenge even seasoned nature lovers No experience is required—only curiosity and courage. This interactive field guide to rocks, fossils & shells includes: - Digging, chiseling, hammering, and wading for rocks and minerals - Identifying rocks & minerals by location, texture, color, shape, and size - Determining between rocks, geodes, and space rocks - Finding fossils and setting up a dig site - Searching and snorkeling for shells - Storing and displaying your collection And so much more!

Microbiology.

Discover more than 40 examples of technology influenced by animals, meet some of the scientists and the story behind their inventions, and learn about some of the incredible creatures who have inspired multiple creation