Scientists Ask Questions

Explains what scientists do, looking at how they arrive at answers to their questions, and examining some of the tools they use in their research.

"Come along on an adventure to discover how the scientific method works."--Back cover.

Fun and fascinating Q&As on topics from astronomy to zoology: “A treasure.” —Library Journal We’ve all grown so used to living in a world filled with wonders that we sometimes forget to wonder about them: What creates the wind? Do fish sleep? Why do we blink? All too often, the explanations remain shrouded in mystery—or behind a haze of technical language. For kids of all ages—or those of us who should have raised our hands in science class but didn’t—Larry Scheckel comes to the rescue. An award-winning science teacher and longtime columnist for his local newspaper, Scheckel is a master explainer with a trove of knowledge. Just ask the students and devoted readers who’ve spent years trying to stump him! In Ask a Science Teacher, Scheckel collects 250 of his favorite Q&As and provides refreshingly uncomplicated explanations. You’ll learn how planes really fly, why the Earth is round, how microwaves heat food, and much more on topics including: The Human Body * Earth Science * Astronomy * Chemistry * Physics * Technology * Zoology * Music and conundrums that don’t fit into any category “For any curious minded reader—young or old.” —Publishers Weekly

When it’s time for a game change, you need a guide to the new rules. Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices provides a play-by-play understanding of the practices strand of A Framework for K–12 Science Education (Framework) and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Written in clear, nontechnical language, this book provides a wealth of real-world examples to show you what’s different about practice-centered teaching and learning at all grade levels. The book addresses three important questions: 1. How will engaging students in science and engineering practices help improve science education? 2. What do the eight practices look like in the classroom? 3. How can educators engage students in practices to bring the NGSS to life? Helping Students Make Sense of the World Using Next Generation Science and Engineering Practices was developed for K–12 science teachers, curriculum developers, teacher educators, and administrators. Many of its authors contributed to the Framework’s initial vision and tested their ideas in actual science classrooms. If you want a fresh game plan to help students work together to generate and revise knowledge—not just receive and repeat information—this book is for you.

This book reveals that scientific logic is an extension of common, everyday logic and that it can and should be understood by everyone. Written by a practicing and successful scientist, it explores why questions arise in science and looks at how questions are tackled, what constitutes a valid answer, and why. The author does not bog the reader down in technical details or lists of facts to memorize. He uses accessible examples, illustrations, and descriptions to address complex issues. The book should prove enlightening to anyone who has been perplexed by the meaning, relevance, and moral or political implications of science.

Robert Winston answers 100 big questions from kids across the world in this fun and unique science book. In this unique science book, Professor Robert Winston answers more than 100 real-life questions from children all around the world! And who could be a better scientist to ask questions to than Professor Robert Winston? Ask a Scientist puts the fun back into science in this thrilling book for children aged 6-9. All the popular science topics are covered, with weird and wacky questions and clear and lively answers, including biology: “Why do freckles come in dots on your face?”; physics: “Could you jump off the world?”; Earth: “Why is the sky blue?”; chemistry: “Why are there bubbles in boiling water?”; natural science: “Do dogs cry?”, and space: “Why will the Sun explode and make us extinct?”. This exciting new edition includes eight pages of additional questions relating to the recent hot topics in science, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Inside the pages of this quirky science book, you’ll find: - Every aspect of science: including biology; space; physics; chemistry; Earth; natural sciences. - The topic of science presented in a fresh, exciting way, by tackling it from the child’s perspective. - More than 100 real-life questions from children from all around the world about every aspect of science. - Updated reissue of the 2019 edition with an additional eight new pages, including coverage of important recent topics such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The inspiration behind this unique science book came from the many questions posed by Robert Winston’s grandchildren and by children from the schools he has visited over the years. The book includes some of these questions, plus many more gathered from countries all over the world – including the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe, Canada, the USA, India, China, and Japan. The 100 big questions featured inside the book cover all the main science topics: chemistry, physics, biology, Earth, space, and natural science.

"This book is invaluable!" Alexander Armstrong Children ask the funniest questions: Why does sweetcorn come out the same as when I ate it? Do spiders speak? Why does Daddy never win the lottery? Which is faster, a Velociraptor or a cheetah? How does the lady in the satnav know where to go? Does my goldfish know who I am? (Do you think fish have two-second memories? Find out the truth on page 94!) This book takes real children's questions gathered from primary schools across the UK and asks some of the greatest thinkers and experts of our time to give short and accessible answers. Brian Cox explores the edge of the universe, Sir David Attenborough tells us whether monkeys could ever turn into men, and Miranda Hart ponders why it's funny when someone farts. Other contributors include Bear Grylls, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Quentin Blake, Heston Blumenthal, Kate Humble, John Lanchester, A. C. Grayling, Jeremy Paxman, Dan Snow, Jojo Moyes and Tony Robinson. Does My Goldfish Know Who I Am? is a treasury of surprising facts and insights inspired by the curiosity of children. It is the perfect family gift - because sometimes grown-ups need help with the answers too. At least 33% of the publisher's advance payments and 67% of net royalty income in respect of sales of this book is donated to the NSPCC (Registered Charity Numbers 216401 & SC037717).

In this new edition of Asking About Life, we present some new answers and some new approaches. But our starting point, that science is about curiosity, remains the same. We emphasize how and why scientists ask questions, how they test hypotheses, and how they reach conclusions. As much as possible, rather than merely presenting dry conclusions, we show our readers how science actually works. - Preface.