Bring science to life with these 13 action-packed stories about famous scientists. Students will learn basic skills and procedures of science while learning about such people as Shirley Jackson, Charles Goodyear, and James Wright. The historically accurate accounts cover varied aspects of physical, biological, and earth sciences. Stepping Stones to Science has been used as a recommended text at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
Many people know more about the planets Venus and Mars than they do about our home planet, Earth. Unique in our solar system, and so far as we know in the Universe itself, the Earth has been evolving for the past five billion years, and is the result of the dynamic interplay of astronomical,physical, and chemical forces ranging from the vast to the barely perceptible. The evolution of the Earth has never been predictable. Life has come very close to being extinguished many times. After each such crisis, the survivors and their genes have diversified and grown in number to exploit allopportunities. Without such traumas it is hardly likely that evolution's pace could have reached its present advanced level; that of conscious life capable of changing the world, contemplating it, and in doing so changing itself at geologically stupendous rates. In Stepping Stones, Stephen Druryexplores how such a seemingly fragile world could have been formed and developed. Looking at the astonishing leaps, and near catastrophes that have occurred along the way, intermingled with inexorable but slow change, the book interweaves the evidence from geology, physics, biology, and chemistry,to tell an extraordinary story of the Earth's evolution spanning nearly five billion years.
“The next best thing to actually seeing the prehistoric cave art of southern Franc[e] . . . A rapturous guide through five major Ice Age sites” (Archaeology). The cave art of France’s Dordogne region is world-famous for the mythology and beauty of its remarkable drawings and paintings. These ancient images of lively bison, horses, and mammoths, as well as symbols of all kinds, are fascinating touchstones in the development of human culture, demonstrating how far humankind has come and reminding us of the ties that bind us across the ages. Over more than twenty-five years of teaching and research, Christine Desdemaines-Hugon has become an unrivaled expert in the cave art and artists of the Dordogne region. In Stepping-Stones she combines her expertise in both art and archaeology to convey an intimate understanding of the “cave experience.” Her keen insights communicate not only the incomparable artistic value of these works but also the near-spiritual impact of viewing them for oneself. Focusing on five fascinating sites, including the famed Font de Gaume and others that still remain open to the public, this book reveals striking similarities between art forms of the Paleolithic and works of modern artists and gives us a unique pathway toward understanding the culture of the Dordogne Paleolithic peoples and how it still touches our lives today. “Her vivid descriptions help readers visualize the Cro-Magnon man or woman painting the beautiful bison, horses, mammoths, and other symbols. [A] fine reading experience.” —Library Journal
What criteria are used to assess the scholarly merit of a thesis? What is the level of conceptualization that is expected in doctoral theses? How can you prepare to defend your thesis? What is the most effective route to achieving your doctorate? The starting point to achieving your doctorate is to appreciate how your thesis will be examined. The criteria that examiners use, the questions they ask in vivas and their reports provide templates against which theses are judged. So, why not start from this endpoint as you plan, undertake, write and defend your research? This book focuses specifically on how you, as a doctoral candidate, can raise your level of thinking about your chosen topic. Doing so will improve the quality of your research and ultimately contribute to knowledge. It also explores the nature of conceptualization which is sought by examiners in theses. As a candidate, the book provides those essential characteristics of doctorateness that examiners expect to find in your thesis. The book will also appeal to supervisors, examiners and those who conduct workshops for doctoral candidates and supervisors. This practical book includes extracts from theses, examiner reports and cameo accounts from doctoral examiners, supervisors and candidates. It also contains numerous visual models that explain relationships and processes for you to apply and use in your doctoral journey. Based upon contemporary practice, Stepping Stones to Achieving your Doctorate is an essential tool for doctoral candidates, supervisors and examiners.
Why does modern life revolve around objectives? From how science is funded, to improving how children are educated -- and nearly everything in-between -- our society has become obsessed with a seductive illusion: that greatness results from doggedly measuring improvement in the relentless pursuit of an ambitious goal. In Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned, Stanley and Lehman begin with a surprising scientific discovery in artificial intelligence that leads ultimately to the conclusion that the objective obsession has gone too far. They make the case that great achievement can't be bottled up into mechanical metrics; that innovation is not driven by narrowly focused heroic effort; and that we would be wiser (and the outcomes better) if instead we whole-heartedly embraced serendipitous discovery and playful creativity. Controversial at its heart, yet refreshingly provocative, this book challenges readers to consider life without a destination and discovery without a compass.
Kindergarten Stepping Stones: A Journey to Excellence Through Discovery is an integrated kindergarten curriculum that utilizes literature-based themes with strong spiritual connections so children may get to know God better and love Him more. Kindergarten Stepping Stones is a complete curriculum for kindergarten that covers all subject areas.
With grants from the Hewlett Packard and Carnegie Foundations, Chris Juzwiak and a growing team of developmental instructors continue to uncover how basic writers learn best, pinpointing what encourages them, what discourages them, and how to serve their learning needs. Stepping Stones reflects the results of these studies with scaffolded exercises and instruction, color-coded parts of speech and writing concepts, and creative activities. With a strong visual appeal and clear explanations, this innovative textbook presents sentence and paragraph patterns so that all students can immediately grasp them, and offers carefully constructed guidance for developing and organizing ideas—-two of the most difficult tasks for developmental students.Award-winning educator, Chris Juzwiak, knows that many basic writing students have experienced failure in the past, but that with the right tools they can also become confident and successful learners.
A Second Genesis enquires why nature is intelligible. The fast growth of technology and deeper understanding of the humanities have provided significant clues. Answering the question why nature can be understood requires an introduction to the new science of astrobiology and the exploration of the Solar System. A careful discussion of a “second Genesis” is presented, namely our present awareness that life may have emerged on other worlds. Writing this volume has been motivated by the need to encourage a constructive dialogue between science and faith. Such an objective for a new book is timely, since science is inserted with well-defined frontiers in the context of human culture. Similarly, the frontiers of faith do not require religion to justify itself in scientific terms, avoiding current unnecessary controversies.This book intends to engage readers interested in the position of humans in nature. It makes a serious effort to avoid demanding detailed knowledge of science, philosophy, or theology, but will require some careful reading and meditation.