SDW17 - Category3

23 April is recognised as the World Book and Copyright Day by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). On 4 April 2017, Scientix published eight great science books selected by its Scientix Ambassadors to give you the opportunity to read some or all of them before the World Book Day. Save the date and join us on this occasion to celebrate great literature in the field of science!

Click on one of the buttons to see the two selected books per subject.

Science books

Technology books

Engineering books

Mathematics books

For the STEM Discovery Week 24 to 30 April 2017, teachers are invited to participate in a discussion in an open forum here about the selected books and share ideas on how they can be used in science lessons. Scientix will award the best ideas shared with this community.

The goal of the competition is twofold:

To raise general awareness about science and scientific literacy through a community based approach and peer-reviewed exchange of information.
To show how scientific literature can improve classroom discussions and activities.

You are welcome to use the forum here to introduce yourself and to get to know other colleagues interested in science literature. Scientix will use the discussion forum to inform you as soon as new discussion threads are added on 23 April. You will receive a notification by e-mail if you introduce yourself in the discussion thread.

Read the terms and conditions

NOTE THAT YOU MUST BE REGISTERED AND SIGNED IN WITH YOUR OPEN ID IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION FORUM

Forum (cat3)

Classroom ideas about: "Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a chemical boyhood".

Noelia Velasco Pérez, modificato 7 Anni fa.

Classroom ideas about: "Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a chemical boyhood".

Community member Messaggi: 3 Data di Iscrizione: 08/04/17 Messaggi Recenti

"Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a chemical boyhood".

Since the first moment when the book reached to me, I verified it is an interesting and naturally way to travel around the science´s history, which describes through the life of a child, named Oliver Sacks, the discovery of the world via the scientific knowledge, and its importance to understand the environment that surrounds us and to favour the development and evolution of society.This book, besides supposing a very interesting and entertaining reading, offers many educational resources to use in the STEM´s subjects. In short, I am using some abstracts from the book to support my lessons. For example, the narrative focussed on Marie Curie´s is a great article for working the role of women in science; as well as a chronological view of the different scientists mentioned, allows us to know how scientific knowledge is constructed, from observation, formulation of hypotheses, experimentation and collection of results, to the conclusions, which allows to write laws and theories, that are continually amplifying as the studies and researchs evolve (scientific method).
Moreover, the Sacks´ experiments are very striking, creative and interesting to motivate and take place with the students.To sum up, after working on this book, I certainly recomend it to my colleges teachers, looking for in its pages the great variety of educational resources, which it includes.

Robert Baldursson, modificato 7 Anni fa.

RE: Classroom ideas about: "Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a chemical boyhood"

Community member Messaggi: 33 Data di Iscrizione: 11/05/15 Messaggi Recenti

Thank you Noelia, those are very interesting thoughts about the construction of scientific knowledge in relation to Uncle Tungsten!
Did you read the book before you heard about the Scientix competition, or did the competition encourage you to read it?

Noelia Velasco Pérez, modificato 7 Anni fa.

RE: Classroom ideas about: "Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a chemical boyhood"

Community member Messaggi: 3 Data di Iscrizione: 08/04/17 Messaggi Recenti

Hi Robert,

With regard to your question, I began to read this book since I knew it in the Scientix competition. Also it encourage me to look for others books, which could be interesting as educational resources, especially I have searched Spanish publications, such as the book I commented in "RE:Forum", "Ciencia para Nicolás".
Another practical book to work in the classroom is: "Breakthroughs in Science" by Isaac Asimov, it contains abstracs about the biography of the most important scientist in history. In my classroom, a group of students have used this source to make a video report, recording some interviews with famous scientists; it is an enjoyable and fascinating report,which can be found on their youtebe channel of scientific outreach: Queirugersjm.

I leave here the link of the specific video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gcY8cQ3huE

These are the eight science books selected for the World Book Day and STEM Discovery Week 2017! In order to compete in our competition, start by:

Read one or more of the selected titles
Design an idea for a classroom activity based on your book
Share your idea with peers in the discussion forum above during the STEM Discovery Week 24 to 30 April

Science books

This world famous book in the field of physics explores the origin of our universe, including the Big Bang and black holes, and the relevance of concepts such as space and time and other forces that govern our existence. Author: Stephen Hawking Originally published: 1988	Uncle Tungsten was a producer of tungsten-filament lightbulbs who ignited Oliver Sacks’ interest in chemistry, especially chemical reactions and the periodic table. This book is a fascinating story about scientific discoveries and inspiration during childhood. Author: Oliver Sacks Originally published: 2001
A brief history of time	Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a chemical boyhood

Technology books

A young boy, who is the outcome of genetic experiments, possesses great tactical skills playing computer games. This may be just what mankind has been waiting for in order to fight back against invasive alien species. Author: Orson Scott Card Originally published: 1985	This futuristic science-fiction describes the technical evolution of robots that are originally developed in order to serve humans. However, they eventually become so advanced that humans become obsolete. Author: Isaac Asimov Originally published: 1950
Ender's Game	I, Robot

Engineering books

Engineers can see a structure where there is none in place, possessing the ability to turn problems into solutions and solutions. This book collects narratives and case studies to show how engineering is used to innovate, standardise and optimise. Author: Guru Madhavan Originally published: 2015	This book is a collection of 25 entertaining experiments and activities in engineering in everyday situations, including step-by-step instructions, expected results of each activity and simple scientific background for each experiment. Author: Janice VanCleave Originally published: 2007
Applied minds: How engineers think	Engineering for every kid: Easy activities that make learning science fun

Mathematics books

Robert really dislikes studying maths, but this changes when he meets the Number Devil, who appears in Robert’s dreams to teach him maths and inspire him. With the help of the Number Devil, Robert gets to know fractions, geometry and other mathematic concepts. Author: Hans Magnus Enzensberger Originally published: 1997	Mr. Ruche receives a delivery to his house in Paris including a great number of maths books from Brazil. His parrot likes to talk about maths and together they give lessons to children. However, he soon discovers the real reason behind the delivery. Author: Denis Guedj Originally published: 1998
The number devil: a mathematical adventure	The Parrot's Theorem