How to Be Good at Science, Technology, and Engineering

Description

With a visual approach to the STEM subjects, this book makes science easy to understand and shows kids how things work. From molecules and magnetism to rockets and radio waves, How to Be Good at Science, Technology, and Engineering makes complex scientific concepts simple to grasp. Dynamic, visual explanations break down even the trickiest of topics into small steps. Find out how a hot-air balloon rises, how erosion flattens mountains, how light waves zip through space, and how the human eye sees colors.  Cool illustrations show the application of science in the real world: see how microchips, tractors, and suspension bridges work. "Try it out" boxes suggest ways children can see the science for themselves. Hands-on projects feature fun experiments to try at home or school: polish up old coins in vinegar, make an erupting volcano with baking soda, learn about different types of solutions, and more.  With STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects ever more important in today's technological world, here is the perfect book to inspire and educate kids and prepare them for the future. All core curriculum areas of science are covered, including physics, biology, chemistry, earth science, and space science. Contents......Page 6 1 Introduction......Page 10 How science works 10......Page 12 Working scientifically 12......Page 14 Fields of science 14......Page 16 How engineering works 16......Page 18 2 Life......Page 20 What is life? 20......Page 22 Classification 22......Page 24 Cells 24......Page 26 Cells, tissues, and organs 26......Page 28 Nutrition 28......Page 30 Human digestive system 30......Page 32 Teeth 32......Page 34 Respiration 34......Page 36 Lungs and breathing 36......Page 38 Blood 38......Page 40 The heart 40......Page 42 Excretion 42......Page 44 Fighting infections 44......Page 46 Sensing and responding 46......Page 48 Human nervous system 48......Page 50 The human eye 50......Page 52 The human ear 52......Page 54 How animals move 54......Page 56 Muscles 56......Page 58 Skeleton 58......Page 60 Staying healthy 60......Page 62 Animal reproduction 62......Page 64 Life cycle of mammals 64......Page 66 Life cycle of birds 65......Page 67 How eggs work 66......Page 68 Life cycle of amphibians 68......Page 70 Life cycle of insects 69......Page 71 Human reproduction 70......Page 72 Gestation and birth 72......Page 74 Growth and development 74......Page 76 Genes and DNA 76......Page 78 Variation 78......Page 80 Inheritance 80......Page 82 Evolution 82......Page 84 Plants 84......Page 86 Types of plants 86......Page 88 Photosynthesis 88......Page 90 Transport in plants 90......Page 92 Flowers 92......Page 94 Seed dispersal 94......Page 96 How seeds grow 96......Page 98 Asexual reproduction in plants 98......Page 100 Single-celled organisms 100......Page 102 Ecology 102......Page 104 Food chains and recycling 104......Page 106 Humans and the environment 106......Page 108 3 Matter......Page 110 Atoms and molecules 110......Page 112 States of matter 112......Page 114 Changing state 114......Page 116 Properties of matter 116......Page 118 Expanding gases 118......Page 120 Density 120......Page 122 Mixtures 122......Page 124 Solutions 124......Page 126 Separating mixtures 1 126......Page 128 Separating mixtures 2 128......Page 130 Moving molecules 130......Page 132 Atomic structure 132......Page 134 Ionic bonds 134......Page 136 Covalent bonds 136......Page 138 Chemical reactions 138......Page 140 Chemical equations 140......Page 142 Types of reactions 142......Page 144 Energy and reactions 144......Page 146 Catalysts 146......Page 148 Acids and bases 148......Page 150 How acids and bases react 150......Page 152 Electrolysis 152......Page 154 The periodic table 154......Page 156 Metals 156......Page 158 The reactivity series 158......Page 160 Iron 160......Page 162 Aluminum 161......Page 163 Silver 162......Page 164 Gold 163......Page 165 Hydrogen 164......Page 166 Carbon 166......Page 168 Crude oil 168......Page 170 Nitrogen 170......Page 172 Oxygen 171......Page 173 Phosphorus 172......Page 174 Sulfur 173......Page 175 Halogens 174......Page 176 Noble gases 175......Page 177 Materials science 176......Page 178 Polymers 178......Page 180 4 Energy......Page 182 What is energy? 182......Page 184 Measuring energy 184......Page 186 Power stations 186......Page 188 Heat 188......Page 190 Heat transfer 190......Page 192 How engines work 192......Page 194 Waves 194......Page 196 How waves behave 196......Page 198 Sound 198......Page 200 Measuring sound 200......Page 202 Light 202......Page 204 Reflection 204......Page 206 Refraction 206......Page 208 Forming images 208......Page 210 Telescopes and microscopes 210......Page 212 Colors 212......Page 214 Using light 214......Page 216 Electromagnetic spectrum 216......Page 218 Static electricity 218......Page 220 Current electricity 220......Page 222 Electric circuits 222......Page 224 Current, voltage, and resistance 224......Page 226 Electricity and magnetism 226......Page 228 Electromagnetism in action 228......Page 230 Electronics 230......Page 232 5 Forces......Page 234 What are forces? 234......Page 236 Stretching and deforming 236......Page 238 Balanced and unbalanced forces 238......Page 240 Magnetism 240......Page 242 Friction 242......Page 244 Drag 244......Page 246 Force and motion 246......Page 248 Momentum and collisions 248......Page 250 Simple machines 250......Page 252 More simple machines 252......Page 254 Work and power 254......Page 256 Speed and acceleration 256......Page 258 Gravity 258......Page 260 Flight 260......Page 262 Pressure 262......Page 264 Floating and sinking 264......Page 266 6 Earth & space......Page 268 The universe 268......Page 270 The solar system 270......Page 272 The planets 272......Page 274 The Sun 274......Page 276 Gravity and orbits 276......Page 278 Earth and the Moon 278......Page 280 Earth’s structure 280......Page 282 Plate tectonics 282......Page 284 Natural hazards 284......Page 286 Rocks and minerals 286......Page 288 The rock cycle 288......Page 290 How fossils form 290......Page 292 Earth’s history 292......Page 294 Weathering and erosion 294......Page 296 The water cycle 296......Page 298 Rivers 298......Page 300 Glaciers 300......Page 302 Seasons and climate zones 302......Page 304 The atmosphere 304......Page 306 Weather 306......Page 308 Ocean currents 308......Page 310 The carbon cycle 310......Page 312 Glossary 312......Page 314 Index 316......Page 318