Ask Slashdot: Science Books For Middle School Enrichment? 203
new submitter heybiff writes "It is the time of year where students are scrambling for extra credit assignments to boost grades. As a middle school science teacher, I want to accommodate them, while still keeping science involved; and book reports are a popular activity in my school. Unfortunately, I have only been able to come up with a short list of science related books that a 11-14 year old would or could read in their free time: Ender's Game, Hitchhiker's Guide. What books would you recommend as a good read for an extra credit book report, that would still involve a strong science twist or inspire a student's interest in science? The book must be in print, science related, fiction or non-fiction, and not be overtly objectionable or outright banned. I look forward to the submissions." "Outright banned" actually seems a rich vein on which to draw; note that not even Ender's Game is safe.
Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Score:5, Interesting)
Some Suggestions (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
What about fun experiments that are easy... (Score:2)
Here is a site to a scientist,Robert Krampf, that I saw in person once. It was the best science show I ever saw, and definitely the most entertaining.
Maybe reach out to him through his site and see if he can recommend some good science books.
http://thehappyscientist.com/ [thehappyscientist.com]
One, Two, Three... Infinity (Score:4, Informative)
This is probably the most readable treatment of some of the weirder parts of math you'll find. Very appropriate for middle schoolers, that's when I read it first, and that's a great age to show them that math isn't all arithmatic, and how it relates to science. Topics like Cantor's diagonal proof and general relativity are all accessible to middle schoolers with this book.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Diamond Age definitely has an orgy.
The Number Devil (Score:3)
The reading level is closer to elementary school, but some of the math is fascinating to high school and above. It certainly could be used for an interesting math extra project. A great gift for kids:
The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure [Paperback]
Hans Magnus Enzensberger (Author), Rotraut Susanne Berner (Illustrator), Michael Henry Heim (Translator)
ISBN: 0805062998
various Amazon links:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805062998/jbenterprises/ [amazon.com]
http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805062998/johannsbookst-20/ [amazon.ca]
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805062998/johansbooksparto/ [amazon.co.uk]
Hugo Award winners (Score:2)
Hugo Award winners are always a good start. "Rite of Passage " is to me a good teen book. I gave it to my daughters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Award_for_Best_Novel
Anathem (Score:3)
Anyone, able to read this book, and understand it, deserves his/her master degree right on the spot.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
You apparently have a very low standard for master's degrees. Anyone who passed a sophomore level philosophy class would have no problem with that book.
Re: (Score:2)
I'm not dinging the book. I found it quite interesting, just not all that complicated or difficult to understand. There was nothing in it that wouldn't be covered in 200-level courses in the relevant subjects.
A Wrinkle In Time (Score:1)
Great book that I read as a young teen.
http://www.amazon.com/Wrinkle-Madeleine-LEngles-Quintet-ebook/dp/B004OA64H0/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1
Red/Green/Blue Mars (Score:2)
The Mars Trilogy [wikipedia.org] is interesting, and it might be an interesting exercise to have them outline what parts (both technical and social) are currently possible, which might be possible in 10 years, and which are pure fiction.
Also, the "Connections" series by James Burke (also available in video form) are an interesting way of showing how technology evolves from need. You might have your students look at a few of them and then identify a current need and predict a few possible technological advances that may com
Re: (Score:2)
PS - The video Trinity and Beyond [wikipedia.org] is a chilling yet enthralling science documentary of the [mostly US but some USSR] nuclear bomb programs. You might ask your students to guess how many bombs were set off in testing, and where. Give them this Google Earth KML [google.com] and show them all of the places and yields.
Couple of recommendations... (Score:2)
Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything (Score:4, Interesting)
Re: (Score:2)
Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams. Great book written with his humor, but a serious subject. It's a spinoff from the BBC radio show he did. A good way of inspiring associated conversation. http://www.amazon.com/Last-Chance-See-Douglas-Adams/dp/0345371984/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366747519&sr=1-1&keywords=last+chance+to+see+douglas+adams [amazon.com]
Prometheans in the Lab: Chemistry and the Making of the Modern World. Slightly harder read but absolutely fascinating stories from teenage up http:/ [amazon.com]
Microbe Hunters, also Karl Kruszelnicki (Score:2, Interesting)
Microbe Hunters by Paul de Kruif is a classic: http://www.amazon.com/Microbe-Hunters-Paul-Kruif/dp/0156027771. It tells the story of the beginnings of microbiology by telling the stories of the researchers (the "Microbe Hunters") who made the most important discoveries. The text is very accessible, with the scientists' stories dramatized in an exciting way. I think it should be OK for a middle school reader.
Apart from that, when I was that age I enjoyed books by Australian science writer Karl Kruszelnicki.
Chaos (Score:2)
Chaos: Making a New Science by James Gleick.
Non-maths guy, so his explanations and examples are approachable. Good jumping off point if it piques someone's interest.
The Boy Who Reversed Himself (Score:2)
When I was around that age, I really enjoyed "The Boy Who Reversed Himself" [wikipedia.org] by William Sleator. Pretty entertaining, and a nice introduction to the concept of higher-dimensional spaces.
Obligatory Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Reversed-Himself/dp/0140389652 [amazon.com]
The Martian (Score:1)
It's a Brave New World (Score:2)
Jules Verne (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
Not only Jules Verne. What about H.G. Wells? I'd also include Arthur Conan Doyle. Most of the science fiction in Sherlock Holmes has turned into science fact, but in some ways that actually makes it more relevant for your purposes.
More recent classics would include the Heinlein juveniles (almost everything he wrote before Strange in a Strange Land plus some of what he wrote afterwards) and (as others mentioned) the Asimov books. The robot series is more for programmers than scientists, but there's quite
Re: (Score:2)
Mod this UP.. ."Journey to the Center of the Earth".
Yes - because we really want school kids to learn in their science class that the centre of the earth is populated by dinosaurs.
My kids' reading list (Score:4, Informative)
OK, so they're picture books. But the content is there, and is probably at a slightly higher level than middle school, but made clear and accessible.
David Macaulay "The Way Things Work" and such
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=David%20Macaulay [amazon.com]
Larry Gonick "Cartoon Guide to ..."
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Larry+Gonick&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ALarry+Gonick [amazon.com]
Stephen Hawking has less pictures, but is surprisingly accessible
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Stephen+Hawking&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AStephen+Hawking [amazon.com]
And especially for the american kids (Score:2)
This book is CLASIC
http://www.amazon.com/Alices-World-No-Time-Heroes/dp/B001RE6JYY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366737120&sr=1-1&keywords=sam+lundwall+alice [amazon.com]
A Brief History of Time (Score:2)
It's the least they should read.
Trurl and Klapaucious (Score:2)
MIT Guide to Lockpicking (Score:3)
Free download. Very practical. I suspect it will engage a fair number of middle-schoolers.
Martian Chronicles (Score:2)
Ray Bradbury Martian Chronicles is an excellent book. I recommend it wholehearthedly.
Open research (Score:4, Interesting)
My wife teaches advanced middle school science (7th and 8th). She rarely assigns or recommends reading material. She gives them subjects and turns them loose. This week it is to create egg-drop protection devices and create periodic table/fictional character trading cards. Here are some areas that she's seen the kids go crazy doing their own research:
1) Pick a genetic disease. Explain the symptoms, the mechanisms, and how is it genetically inherited. Unspoken is "Try to outdo your classmates."
2) Your town has a billion dollars and wants to build a nuclear power station. You've been asked to recommend what kind. Give a recommendation with evidence to support safety, reliability, fuel cycle handling, economics, probability of success, etc.
3) GMO's, stem cell research, nuclear power, global warming (etc, etc). Pick one of these controversial topics, research it, talk to your family, and come up with an opinion (for or against). Now write a letter to a government official explaining, with scientific rational, why they should make the policy decisions you believe are correct. My wife refuses to discuss her opinions on any of these topics to avoid biasing their opinions.
The last two were particularly powerful. Kids were amazed they were allowed to have an opinion. And she began doing these before teaching advanced science. She rigged classroom assignments to get all the special ed kids because she thinks they are more fun. She often had double the number allowed by state law, but her kids were outscoring other classes. Stats got noticed and advanced science classes were born.
Yes, I'm proud of my wife. And never prouder than the day she had to go to the emergency room for blowing up the lab! Epic!
Re: (Score:2)
Pick a genetic disease. Explain the symptoms, the mechanisms, and how is it genetically inherited. Unspoken is "Try to outdo your classmates."
What could possibly go wrong?
And never prouder than the day she had to go to the emergency room for blowing up the lab! Epic!
Answered my question, you did. Did they have to get the CDC involved?
Congrats.
What about... (Score:2)
Larry Niven's early works (Score:2)
World of Ptaavs, Protector, The Magic Goes Away, The Flight of the Horse (funny). They're a good read, suitable for even young teens, refer to numerous significant concepts, and oddly, the best conversations will come from picking out the flaws (e.g. Why are fossils NOT dragons that ran out of manna? How does fossil evidence disprove the main tenet of "Protector?, How do we know PSI doesn't work? What about time travel?). Hours of discussion.
best book ever (Score:2)
Dune (Score:3)
The first book of the series. The depth of the ecology perspective surprised me when I read it the first time. There aren't many books that have a focus on planetary ecology.
Voyage of the Beagle (Score:3)
I read this when I was about 14. Suitable I think for a strong student at that age.
It's Darwin's journal of the second voyage of the HMS Beagle. It would be very difficult for a student of that age to not be positively influenced by it.
Also:
Birth of a New Physics by I Bernard Cohen. This one is perhaps a bit less challenging.
Michael Crichton? (Score:2)
Rendezvous with Rama (Score:2)
Having said that, it's got a lot less sex in it than the PG-13 films that the 13 year olds are seeing...
A deepness in the sky (Score:2)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Deepness_in_the_Sky [wikipedia.org]
Lots of science type material in there, across many disciplines. And its just a great great story.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Score:2)
A couple of titles (Score:2)
The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question? by Leon Lederman
Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea by Charles Seife
Carl Sagan's Contact (Score:2)
If you're allowing the sort of sci-fi you mentioned, then Contact would be an excellent place for middle schoolers to start.
Also, Robert Heinlein's The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. It's a bit outdated considering it was written before we even visited the moon, but that's a point you ask them to write up in their report.
Martin Gardner (Score:2)
Any of the Martin Gardner books would be good but I don't know if they are still in print.
Science related fiction (Score:2)
However, I think you should look into "hard science fiction", Wiki has a nice list of books: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_science_fiction [wikipedia.org]
Fred Hoyle - The Black Cloud (Score:2)
Fred Hoyle's 'The Black Cloud' is one of a select group of novels that manage to combine convincing science and a classic SF situation (intelligence is discovered in a dust cloud that envelopes the earth). I read it at about that age, and learnt a few things about how science is done, like the importance of testing theories by prediction. Dawkins is a fan, and wrote the Afterword to the current edition:
"But the real virtue of The Black Cloud is this - without ever preaching at us, Hoyle manages, as the stor
Divers Down! and Harold Leland Goodwin (Score:2)
The problem is a lot of books written for this specific purpose are out of print or lost to the ravages of time. Divers Down! for example, is an excellent book that deals with ocean engineering and mechanical engineering with a story that an 11 or 14 year old is actually going to be able to relate to. Another possibility is "Falling Free" by Lois Mcmaster Bujold which does a good job in orbital welding engineering while also telling an exciting story. Partly, the question is, how sophisticated is the given
Red Thunder, by John Varley (Score:2)
'Red Thunder' is a relatively recent series of sci-fi novels by John Varley, written with a young adult audience in mind. Varley avoids the adult content of his usual works -- there's even a character in the book who forbids the children from swearing -- so I'm sure it could pass muster for middle school.
The plot of the books is rich in science content and wonder. An autistic inventor and his brother discover a new power source, and a gang of young kids decide to build a rocket using that power so that th
Brian Greene (Score:2)
The Fabric of the Cosmos
Anybody who can use The Simpsons to illustrate special relativity is a win in my book. Both should be tractable by a motivated middle school student.
I would avoid SciFi. Not a lot of true science in there.
There are no electrons (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Only ZUUUULLLL.
Arthur C Clarke, Hofstadter (maybe) (Score:2)
It's been a LONNNNG time since I was this age, so maybe these books are a bit beyond middle schoolers.
Greetings Carbon Based Bipeds by Arthur C. Clarke
The Minds I, or Godel Escher Bach by Douglas Hofsdater (these might be tough to comprehend though)
And not books, but what about issues of Scientific American? I got that magazine for a few years, and it was always very thought provoking.
The good stuff is all old (Score:2)
There's still some "hard SF" being written. But the era of hard science juveniles has been over for a long time. Heinlein wrote most of his juveniles for "Boys Life", the Boy Scouts magazine. Really.
Looking through the SF section today, it's "vampire", "vampire", "werewolf", "demon", "comic book spinoff", "Star [Trek|Wars] spinoff", and an occasional space opera. Over in the teen section, there's two cases of Teen Paranormal Romance, one of New Teen Paranormal Romance, and, more recently, Hunger Games c
Re: (Score:2)
I agree with the parent on the Heinlein juveniles. There's actual science in there, particularly bits of Newtonian physics. Somebody mentioned "Have Space Suit, Will Travel", which would be a good choice.
I'd have no problem with my kid reading "Accelerando", but I'm not sure a middle school teacher could get away with assigning it. There's the whole BDSM rape scene and all.
I'd say Greg Egan, but he'd definitely be for advanced middle schoolers only. The problem with him is that he tends to either throw you
Ooh! Got one! (Score:2)
Kind of a dark horse, but how about Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality [fanfiction.net]?
The actual science is clearly delineated from the magic. The mindset it's trying to inculcate is a really useful one to be able to enter.
Just don't make 'em think it resembles Harry Potter, because I don't think it does.
No sex, but it's not likely to be endearing to people who don't believe in questioning authority. And it is unabashedly propaganda for a certain way of thinking.
Godel, Escher and Bach - Hofstader (Score:2)
Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot (Score:2)
It's is a biographical history of the 1950s woman who's cancerous cells (HeLa) are now used throughout the world as a research tool. It's an interesting look into the development of scientific research ethics (there was no consent given at the time), civil rights, biological patents and commercialisation but in an incredibly readable way. I would think the upper-end of your age group would quite enjoy it.
The Kon-Tiki Expedition (Score:3)
Hal Clements (Score:2)
Hal Clements wrote "Mission of Gravity" and "Iceworld" where physics and chemistry is extrapolated into wonderful new types of world - the Ellipsoidal "Mesklin" in Mission of Gravity for example.
Also, Robert D Forward's "Dragon's Egg" about life on a Neutron star's surface is an exploration of nuclear chemistry.
Michael Crichton (Score:2)
I would recommend Michael Crichton. Yes, books like Jurassic Park only use sudo-science, but he does his homework to add some actual science behind it. I remember reading The Andromeda Strain and was rather impressed with the level of "science" involved in the story. The same goes for Cube. Both use scientific investigation as a means to drive the story, at least early on.
The only thing about Michael Crichton's books is that a large number of them have been made into movies. But, the differences are ea
Re: (Score:2)
Is that science you can only do if you're root?
Re: (Score:2)
Is that science you can only do if you're root?
Yes! Ok, so my spelling isn't so great.
Ringworld (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Orgasm guns. Just a warning.
I think it may be hard to find much that nobody can get teed off about. It must be pretty annoying to be a teacher sometimes.
I like reading Benjamin Crowell's work (Score:2)
Better Yet (Score:2)
I come from a generation and area in which extra credit was something that only a kid who had skipped school or suffered a suspension would ever be involved in. Sadly it was also a path that could corrupt teachers as the rich could make arrangements to get extra credit for their kids in such a way that straight A report cards were assured no matter what.
A better notion might be to refer kids to online courses at places
The New Cool (Score:2)
Easy, fun read and loads of science+general teanage kids stuff.
By Neil Bascomb. The New Cool [goodreads.com]
'The Red Limit' - Timothy Ferris (Score:2)
Cory Doctorow (Score:2)
First, I'm entirely unclear about how Hitchhiker's Guide could be considered "science related". It's a great story, and it has all the trappings of science fiction, but it's almost (but not quite) exactly unlike science.
Second, though, I highly highly recommend Cory Doctorow's young adult novels, especially Little Brother. Good writing, good story, and the (computer) science is generally accurate. Plus it was actually written in the past decade so it doesn't seem like ancient history or retro "what we use
Re: (Score:2)
There is plenty of science in "Hitchiker's Guide", it's just mostly wrapped in humor.
Flying - throwing oneself at the ground and missing - might be a good place for discussion on free fall, principle of relativity, etc
Somebody else's problem field - see psychology.
The infinite improbability drive - could be a good starting point for a discussion on probability
The earth (as a computer) and the bistro drive, good places for discussion as to what makes a computer, and maybe even a lead in to topics such as cha
Any time (Score:2)
I read an article that holds up Ender's Game as either a) a good book, or b) something that kids should be encouraged to read, I know that the article was written by someone who doesn't know much about books.
One two three... (Score:2)
Jurassic Park (Score:2)
It occurred to me one to my science classes in high school had us read Jurassic Park. Seems like old Michael Crichton knew how to include interesting details in that book and it's no a bad book to boot.
Well written non-fiction (Score:2)
Science fiction is not about science (Score:2)
Science fiction is not about science.
A very good example of this is the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I love this series -- it's one of my all-time favorites. But it's not about science, and doesn't even involve much real science. It's a parody on modern society. Most science fiction is more about modern times than anything.
If you want them to do book reports, then have them read real non-fiction science books. There are plenty out there, quite a few suggested in these comments.
But if you really want to
Anything with hijinx (Score:2)
Some of my favorites as a kid: The Mad Scientists' Club, The Great Brain,
Homer Price, Henry Reed, Bruno & Boots.
Re:IMHO (Score:5, Interesting)
Any of Asimov's robot books (most asimov really) make for excellent sci-fi intro books.
These books, and other sci-fi books, would be fine for extra credit in a literature class, but they are inappropriate for extra credit in a science class. Science is about facts, not fiction. But Asimov is appropriate. When I was a teenager I read dozens of his non-fiction books. I remember sitting in the back of my 10th grade biology class reading Asimov's The Wellsprings of Life [amazon.com]. That was the moment that biology "clicked" and I understood the genetic code, how "codons" worked, and it all made sense. I looked up at the teacher droning on, and wondered why they didn't just have everyone read this book.
Re: (Score:2)
On the contrary, reading older science fiction and writing a report through a lens of 50 years in the future can be quite useful. What scientific elements of the fiction are true or nearly true today, what parts do we still think are clearly "impossible" (i.e. still science fiction), and which parts do you think might still go either way (and, of course, why)?
Re:IMHO (Score:4, Insightful)
On the contrary, reading older science fiction and writing a report through a lens of 50 years in the future can be quite useful.
Sure it is useful, and a really good choice for a literature class. But if a kid gets an "A" in chemistry, it should be because he understands chemistry, and not because he read Ender's Game. I read Ender's Game when I was a teenager. It is a good book. But I am unable to recall even a single iota of actual science in the book.
It is important to inspire kids. But they should get good grades for actually learning, and not for the process of "being inspired".
Literature NOT Science (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
There are a lot of books that would be a good fit, but it's going to be a while before I dredge up the names. It's been so long since I read them.
As a side note, having class discussions about the science involved in the fiction they just read is a good thing, and helps them relate it to
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Any of Asimov's robot books (most asimov really) make for excellent sci-fi intro books.
These books, and other sci-fi books, would be fine for extra credit in a literature class, but they are inappropriate for extra credit in a science class. Science is about facts, not fiction. But Asimov is appropriate. When I was a teenager I read dozens of his non-fiction books. I remember sitting in the back of my 10th grade biology class reading Asimov's The Wellsprings of Life [amazon.com]. That was the moment that biology "clicked" and I understood the genetic code, how "codons" worked, and it all made sense. I looked up at the teacher droning on, and wondered why they didn't just have everyone read this book.
Too true. There's almost nothing but Sci-Fi being recommended. I highly recommend posters engage in some reading of their own before recommending stuff.
Some good, thoughtful reading, which may not be easy to find in US book shops are the Science of Discworld Series, which bridge Terry Pratchett's fictional world magic with Round World science. It's good stuff.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
I somewhat agree with this post. Psychohistory is an excellent way to explain algorithms, credit reports, economics, sociology, and other modern statistical sciences. We have gotten quite good at this and it's nice to be able to take a step back and realize what we are actually doing.
Re: (Score:2)
Another along these lines is Asimov's The History of Physics [amazon.com]. It may be difficult to get 11-14 year old kids to read a book with such a mundane (to them) title, but it does a great job of filling in the blanks of how new ideas in science grow from prior concepts and doesn't require the reader to have math proficiency above basic arithmetic.
Re: (Score:2)
Appropriate, but for school? I certainly read SF at home, probably didn't reach much of anything else until college, but in school? Not so sure of that. Teach real science in school, Heinlein is for night time with the covers over your head and a flashlight (or whatever is the current equivalent, I wouldn't even want to hazard a guess).
Re: (Score:2)
And that's exactly why sci-fi books *are* appropriate. They might be light on, or even distort the facts. But at this age, interest and drive and passion for a subject is at least as important as the facts. They'll never get to the higher, nitty-gritty of science if they don't reach for it. Science fiction can give that interest, if, of course, chosen wisely and well.
but hitchhikers guide is just going to the other way. for a literature class it's fine, but it's not a ladder to nitty-gritty of science - it's a window to stupidities of modern life! star wars bounty hunter stories can too be very entertaining but they act more like a ditch than a ladder when getting real application of any science, hyperspace and all.
However, I do think that reading Verne, Asimov, Lem and other good oldies is good for perspective and for some of the books because they do portray the optim
Re: (Score:2)
Foundation Trilogy
Re: (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
Not true. This past weekend I was at a star party for my local club and there were about 20 total students up there doing extra credit work. My guess is that they were about 14-15 years of age. I got to help about a dozen of them myself, I did some basic stuff like the moon and Jupiter for them to see and they seemed pretty interested. Most of them asked questions about my telescope; what kind was i
Re: (Score:2)
yeah, so why go with grand scheme fantasy and humor fantasy scifi books then? why not go with something that's a bit more realistic and closer in scale?
because the guy had only read those? why not go with the real classics that display this, go Jules Verne. with Verne you have nice adventure stories with inventions that we have now since then made reality - from cars to electric helicopters - it gives perspective to how some inventions appear when the time is right and to how some ideas just aren't feasible
Re: (Score:2)
I also wanted to recommend The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Heinlein. It has excellent science content, from how rocks thrown off the moon can become deadly missiles when they fall to Earth, to moon base design, radar techniques, and AI. The only problem is that I can't remember how much sexual content there is in the book. I know there's some discussion of bigamy, but I forget what is and is not shown.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Don't remember who wrote it but that might be interesting but very dated.
George O Smith. He also wrote 'Hellflower', which is as good. Ah, the 50s ... SF's golden age...