Science Fun Books
Here are links to books to illustrate that science can be both educational and fun. We are firm believers in trying to get across the message, particularly to the young, that science is all about doing experiments and testing theories, asking the question "why does ....?" This page is brought to you in association with both Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.
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THE GOD DELUSION
A brilliant and well written book, an excellent counterweight to the mass of religious nonsense that seems to be spreading out everywhere. application |
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THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES
In The Origin of Species (1859) Darwin challenged many of the most deeply-held beliefs of the Western world. Arguing for a material, not divine, origin of species, he showed that new species are achieved by `natural selection'. The Origin communicates the enthusiasm of original thinking in an open, descriptive style, and Darwin's emphasis on the value of diversity speaks more strongly now than ever |
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WHY DON'T PENGUIN'S FEET FREEZE AND 114 OTHER QUESTIONS
A fascinating mix of the baffling, ridiculous and trivial... |
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THE SELFISH GENE
It's a classic that's still relevant today |
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THE GOLDILOCKS ENIGMA: WHY IS THE UNIVERSE JUST RIGHT FOR LIFE?
"The Goldilocks Enigma" is Paul Davies spectacular and eagerly awaited return to cosmology. Here he tackles all the 'big questions' and introduces the latest discoveries that have allowed scientists to piece together the story of the universe in unprecedented detail. And he explains why, despite all this, cosmologists are more divided than ever. Why is everything just right for life on earth? And how have we tried to explain this? How has belief shaped the scientific debate? What do we really know about our place in the universe? Paul Davies decodes the real science and gets to the very heart of our understanding of the universe |
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THE BLIND WATCHMAKER
Acclaimed as the most influential work on evolution written in the last hundred years, "The Blind Watchmaker" offers an inspiring and accessible introduction to one of the most important scientific discoveries of all time. A brilliant and controversial book, which demonstrates that evolution by natural selection - the unconscious, automatic, blind, yet essentially non-random process discovered by Darwin - is the only answer to the biggest question of all: why do we exist? |
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A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING
His investigations deal with seven topics, all of enormous interest and significance: the origins of the universe; the gradual historical discovery of the size and age of the earth (and the beginnings of the awesome notion of deep time); relativity and quantum theory; the present and future threats to life and the planet; the origins and history of life (dinosaurs, mass extinctions and all); and the evolution of man. Within each of these, he looks at the history of the subject, its development into a modern discipline and the frameworks of theory that now support it. |
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BANG! THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE
Rock legend and experienced amateur astronomer Brian May joins the legendary expert Sir Patrick Moore to tell the story of the Universe from the moment time and space came into existence at the Big Bang, through to the infinite future and the ultimate fate that awaits us. Many of the pictures of the Universe obtained by instruments such as the Hubble Space Telescope or the Very Large Telescope in Chile are beautiful enough to be considered works of art in their own right. This book presents them in context, and uses extraordinary new artworks to explain the mind-blowing theories from the cutting edge of astronomy in a way that everyone can understand |
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JUST ANOTHER DAY: THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF OUR EVERYDAY LIVES
In his brilliantly idiosyncratic style, Adam Hart-Davis takes the reader through his day and shows just how much science and technology surrounds us all the time, from the alarm clock that wakes us up to the duvet we go to sleep in. We learn not just about how a modern, radio controlled alarm clock works, but also about the first one ever made - by Ktesibios in Alexandria in the third century BC. Written with all his characteristic enthusiasm, this is a book that will appeal to his many fans and to anyone who simply wants to understand more about our everyday world, and how very different our lives would be if scientists and inventors hadn't at some stage achieved what they did |
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TURN LEFT AT ORION: A HUNDRED NIGHT SKY OBJECTS TO SEE IN A SMALL TELESCOPE AND HOW TO FIND THEM
A guidebook for beginning amateur astronomers, Turn Left at Orion provides all the information you need to observe the Moon, the planets and a whole host of celestial objects. Large format diagrams show these objects exactly as they appear in a small telescope and for each object there is information on the current state of our astronomical knowledge. Revised and updated, this new edition contains a chapter describing spectacular deep sky objects visible from the southern hemisphere, and tips on observing the upcoming transits of Venus. It also includes a discussion of Dobsonian telescopes, with hints on using personal computers and the internet as aids for planning an observing session. Unlike many guides to the night sky, this book is specifically written for observers using small telescopes. Clear and easy-to-use, this fascinating book will appeal to skywatchers of all ages and backgrounds. No previous knowledge of astronomy is needed |
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WHY DO BUSES COME IN THREES?
With a foreword by Tim Rice, this book will change the way you see the world. Why is it better to buy a lottery ticket on a Thursday? Why are showers always too hot or too cold? And what's the connection between Rob Andrew taking a conversion in rugby and a tourist trying to get the best photograph of Nelson's Column? These and many other fascinating questions are answered in this entertaining and highly informative book ideal for anyone wanting to remind themselves - or discover for the first time - that maths is relevant to almost everything that we do. As explained here, dating, cooking, travelling, gambling and even life-saving are all linked with intriguing mathematical problems. Whether you have a PhD in astrophysics or haven't touched a maths problem since your school days, this book will give you a fresh understanding of the hidden maths in the world around you |
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THE TEACHING OF SCIENCE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Providing an up-to-date discussion of the many aspects of teaching primary science, the new edition of this best-selling book, contains a strong focus on constructivist learning and the role of social interaction in learning. Emphasising the use of process skills to develop children's understanding through enquiry, the book also promotes the importance of fostering motivation for learning through enjoyment and giving children some control of their activities. Other features include: Using assessment to help learning; The nature of progression in understanding, skills and attitudes; Creativity in learning science and what this means in practice; and The development of children's thinking skills. Updated to include cross-curricular links and all the recent developments in ICT, this book is essential reading for all trainee and practising primary school teachers |
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ESSENTIAL CELL BIOLOGY
Essential Cell Biology, Second Edition is concise and accessible enough for a non-specialist to read and digest. Building on the success of the first edition the new text includes brand new "How We Know" sections in every chapter. They describe how experimental science is done and where knowledge came from. At every stage the student and lecturer are supported by ECB2 Interactive CD and the extensive ancillary package |
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