Key Concepts in Physical Science Set (6 books - Middle School)
Key Concepts in Physical Science Set (6 books - Middle School)(see individual descriptions below)
Each of the six Key Concepts in Physical Science books takes an in-depth look at one “big idea” in physical science. Topics range from motion to units of measurement. The books invite students to read with lively text and engaging photographs and illustrations. Science concepts are connected to real-world examples and to the lives of women and men from diverse backgrounds doing exciting work in physical science. Together the six books build science literacy while fostering student interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Key Concepts in Physical Science Set (6 books - Upper Elementary)
Key Concepts in Physical Science Set (6 books - Upper Elementary)(see individual descriptions below)
Each of the six Key Concepts in Physical Science books takes an in-depth look at one “big idea” in physical science. Topics range from motion to units of measurement. The books invite students to read with lively text and engaging photographs and illustrations. Science concepts are connected to real-world examples and to the lives of women and men from diverse backgrounds doing exciting work in physical science. Together the six books build science literacy while fostering student interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Elements and Compounds
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Elements and CompoundsElements and Compounds: Ingredients of Matter guides students to an understanding that atoms are the smallest building blocks of all substances and that the types of atoms in matter determine its properties. Students find out that elements are substances that contain only one kind of atom, and they discover how elements are arranged in the Periodic Table. Students also learn that different elements combine during chemical reactions to form compounds. Elements and Compounds then introduces Katey Walter Anthony, a limnologist who monitors Arctic lakes to see how much methane gas is bubbling up from thawing permafrost.
Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 790L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Motion
Key Concepts in Physical Science: MotionMotion: A World on the Move uses real-world examples to explain how position, speed, and velocity relate to motion. Students learn that position is the location of an object relative to a point of reference. They find out how to use a simple formula to calculate how far a moving object travels and the average speed at which it travels. Students learn that velocity is an object's speed in a certain direction. Motion then introduces Barbara Block, a marine biologist who uses tracking devices to collect data about the movement of bluefin tuna.
Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 800L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Energy Basics
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Energy BasicsEnergy Basics: Energized! uses real-world examples to help students understand different forms of energy and how energy affects our lives. Students learn that objects have energy due to their motion. The book explains how energy can be stored and released at a later time. Students find out that energy can change from one form to another, but it can never be lost. Energy Basics also introduces Stan Atcitty, an electrical engineer who uses computer simulations to test power systems in remote areas that are not connected to the main power grid.
Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 820L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Energy Transformations
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Energy TransformationsEnergy Transformations: Transformers at Work explains that energy is all around us—and inside us. Students learn how energy changes form and how it is used. They discover how energy can travel and, most importantly, cause changes. They learn about various types of energy, including chemical energy, electrical energy, and the energy of motion. Then students meet Eric Knoshaug, a microbiologist who is exploring ways to use algae to produce biofuel.
Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 850L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Forces
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Forces Forces: A World of Pushes and Pulls guides students as they explore how forces affect the motion of objects. Students discover that an object at rest can move only when a force acts on it. They learn that a moving object continues moving at the same speed and in the same direction unless the combination of all forces acting on it—the net force—is greater than zero. Forces also introduces David Hart, an architect who helped find a way to protect the Utah State Capitol from the unbalanced forces it could experience during an earthquake.
Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 800L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Gravity
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Gravity Gravity: A Universal Tug-of-War uses real-world experiences to guide students to an understanding of the nature of gravity. Students learn that gravity is a universal force acting between all objects. They discover how gravity holds everything, including us, in place on Earth. They also learn how gravity determines the structure of our solar system and the rest of the Universe. Students then read about Dara Norman, an astronomer who uses gravity’s bending of light as a tool to study distant galaxies.
Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 820L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Heat
Key Concepts in Physical Science: HeatHeat: Energy That Flows introduces the concept of heat and guides students to an understanding of the characteristics of heat energy. Students learn that the motion of molecules determines whether something is warmer or cooler. They discover how substances heat up and cool down as a result of the flow of heat energy. Through everyday examples, students learn how heat is transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation. Finally, students read about Jay Ochterbeck, a mechanical engineer who designs heat pipes to transfer heat away from satellites and electronic devices.
Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 810L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Light
Key Concepts in Physical Science: LightLight: Energy You Can See uses examples from everyday life to guide students to an understanding of the nature of light. Students learn that light is a form of energy that travels in waves. They discover that almost everything we see results from the interaction of light with matter. The book explains that visible light makes up just one part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Finally, Light profiles Mariana Figueiro, a light and health scientist who studies how natural light affects our bodies’ internal rhythms.
Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 800L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Physical Properties of Matter
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Physical Properties of MatterPhysical Properties of Matter: Matter’s What, How, and Why introduces students to the big idea that everything is made of matter. Students learn that there are just 92 naturally occurring types of atoms, and that these atoms combine in different ways to form all matter. Students discover that each kind of matter has different properties, and they investigate some of these properties, including density, weight, melting and boiling points, and conductivity. Finally, students meet Jill Chavez, a medical chemist who identifies plant compounds that might someday be used in medicines.
Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 760L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Solids, Liquids, and GasesSolids, Liquids, and Gases: Matter's Amazing Statesguides students as they explore the states of matter of things around them. Students learn that the motion of atoms determines a substance’s state of matter. Atoms with more energy move faster, and the increase in motion can change a solid to a liquid or a liquid to a gas. Students discover how these concepts relate to issues such as rising sea levels and global warming. Then students meet Waleed Abdalati, a glaciologist who uses satellites to study the melting of ice sheets in Greenland.
Grades: 6-8
Lexile level: 780L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Sound
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Sound Sound: What's the Buzz? uses students’ everyday experiences to explain sound. Students learn that sound results from vibrations that travel as waves of energy through solids, liquids, and gases. They discover how musical instruments produce sound and why the pitches of instruments vary. Students also learn how their ears interpret sound waves and how electronic devices such as cell phones work to transmit sound. Finally, students read about David Bradley, an acoustician who develops surfaces that are used in concert halls to enhance the sounds of music.
Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 780L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Units of Measurement
Key Concepts in Physical Science: Units of MeasurementUnits of Measurement: Sizing Things Up introduces students to units of measurement and how they are used in both scientific investigations and everyday life. Students compare different systems of measurement and investigate the tools used for measuring different things, including mass, length, speed, and time. Students learn to distinguish between estimation and accurate measurements, and they explore the historical development of standardized units. Then the book profiles Lola Fatoyinbo-Agueh, a NASA ecologist who measures mangrove trees to find out if forests are shrinking.
Grades: 3-5
Lexile level: 830L
32 pages, full color
7 by 9 inches, paperback
Key Concepts in Life, Earth, and Physical Science Set (18 books - Middle School)
Key Concepts in Life, Earth, and Physical Science Set (18 books - Middle School)(see individual descriptions above)
Each of the 18 Key Concepts in Science books takes an in-depth look at one “big idea” in life, Earth, or physical science. The books invite students to read with lively text and engaging photographs and illustrations. Science concepts are connected to real-world examples and to the lives of women and men from diverse backgrounds doing exciting work in life, Earth, and physical science. Together the 18 books provide an integrated approach to building STEM literacy while fostering student interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Key Concepts in Life, Earth, and Physical Science Set (18 books - Upper Elementary)
Key Concepts in Life, Earth, and Physical Science Set (18 books - Upper Elementary)(see individual descriptions above)
Each of the 18 Key Concepts in Science books takes an in-depth look at one “big idea” in life, Earth, or physical science. The books invite students to read with lively text and engaging photographs and illustrations. Science concepts are connected to real-world examples and to the lives of women and men from diverse backgrounds doing exciting work in life, Earth, and physical science. Together the 18 books provide an integrated approach to building STEM literacy while fostering student interest in careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
