Slashdot Mirror
Ask Slashdot: Science Books For Middle School Enrichment?
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.
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.
Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
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
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
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