Seven Wonders of Exploration Technology [Library Binding]

Fred Bortz (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Seven Wonders

In every age, science and technology have advanced human civilization. From architecture to engineering, medicine to transportation, humans have invented extraordinary wonders. Explorers long ago and today have used technology to navigate, travel farther, and understand more about the world around them. They invented vehicles to carry people and tools to the ocean depths, high into the atmosphere, or even to other worlds. They invented scientific instruments to explore the most distant parts of the universe and the smallest bits of matter. In this book, we'll explore seven wonders of exploration technology. Scientists have developed technology that takes us to the deepest parts of the oceans. Undersea explorations give us a glimpse of a world teeming with unique life and full of wonderful natural structures. Teams of researchers and engineers have also built orbiting space telescopes and interplanetary spacecraft to explore the farthest reaches of our solar system. Back on Earth, scientists have created computers, machines, and systems for studying climate change and the subatomic world. Learn about the people and the science behind these amazing advances in exploration technology.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Fred Bortz is a scientist and writer of science and technology for young people. In his books, articles, and personal appearances, he shares with his audience the joy of discovery that fueled his previous twenty-five year career in teaching and research in physics, engineering, and science education. From 1979 through 1994, he was involved in research at Carnegie Mellon University, from which he earned his doctorate in Physics in 1971. He is also a regular reviewer of science books for several major metropolitan newspapers. He is the author of Astrobiology (Cool Science, 2008) and Techno-Matter (2001) for LPG.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 80 pages
• Publisher: Twenty-First Century Books (CT) (January 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761342419
• ISBN-13: 978-0761342410
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,738,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I love sharing science with young readers, and I use my books and website to do that. I also visit schools whenever I can. Sometimes I give a talk called "Our Next Planet," and invite my audience to travel with me to other worlds. I'm also developing a talk called "The Truth About Space Aliens." It's based on my new book about the "Cool Science" of Astrobiology.

My website, "Dr. Fred's Place," has sections called "Ask Dr. Fred," where you can discover some of my favorite questions. It also has pages about all my books, with updates and links for several of them. I have a special section about "Beyond Jupiter: The Story of Planetary Astronomer Heidi Hammel." That section includes the story of my trip to a major telescope on Hawaii's highest mountain with Heidi. It also includes her frequently asked questions about astronomy.

After you visit "Dr. Fred's Place," you will understand why I say that science is not about answers but rather about questions and the way we follow them to discoveries. Discover my books, follow your questions, and share in wonderful adventures.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This stunning book will astound the young, insatiable science students and keep them asking for more!, April 6, 2010

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seven Wonders of Exploration Technology (Library Binding)

The universe is a wondrous place and anyone who has explored any facet of it could attest to that fact. Herodotus, a writer in ancient Greece, compiled a list of wonderful things created by man's own hand. Later the list was expounded upon and the final tally of items numbered a lucky seven. It's not an easy task to select and narrow down a list of seven wonders of exploration technology, but agree or no, the selections in this book will amaze you. You will explore the depths of the seas with Alvin and soar out into the outer reaches of the ever expanding universe in once futuristic crafts, continually nursing your sense of wonder and awe. Prepare yourself for a serious jaw dropping, page turning experience in this book!

We, as a species began in the grasslands of Africa, but because of our nature we quickly became explorers due to our innate "urge to discover." Most of our knowledge about the oceans was limited by our inability to breach barriers to its depths. You will discover DSVs such as Alvin, ROVs and learn about their differences. You'll learn about stunning discoveries such as hydrothermal vents and will get a glimpse of the Titanic. You'll then swirl above the waves and into the Earth's atmosphere. Your eyes will widen when you learn how scientists developed a Climate Model, "a simplified version of Earth's weather." You'll get to take a peek at how these amazing men of science look at our past in order to predict our future.

The reader can join Eugene Shoemaker, a dedicated geologist who studied Earth's history, who had a dream of one day visiting the moon. When NASA's Apollo Program began "He wanted the astronauts to choose samples he himself would choose" and he taught future astronauts basic geology. You'll go to the moon with these men and will marvel at their discoveries right along with them. Later you will head to the further reaches of interplanetary exploration. You'll read about the successful and unsuccessful missions to Mars and Venus. Of especial interest was Venus because "The more we know about Venus, the better we can understand Earth."

The more mankind explored the outer reaches of our universe, the more progress seemed to be made with advances such as the Hubble Space Telescope. Edwin Hubble used to look at nebulas, "very distant, very large systems of stars." The creation of the HST, "has changed the way we look at the universe. As a result of such inventions scientists began to map the cosmos, finding out that the universe "was far bigger than we thought." Talented scientists began to amaze the world by turning to look inward with the creation of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). If you search the Internet you will find that on March 30, 2010 amazing strides were made with the LHC (not discussed in this book).

This stunning book will astound the young, insatiable science students and keep them asking for more. This title is one in the "Seven Wonders Series," a series that is simply amazing. I've only read two in this series and could easily lose myself for days in them if I had other titles in the series. The information offered is not only historical, it offers many vignettes few may have heard of. For example, I never knew that someone's ashes were brought to the moon after their death. The informative sidebars, photographs, and charts very nicely round out the already astounding text. In the back of the book is an excellent index, a glossary, a timeline, bibliography, source notes, and additional recommended book and website resources to explore. Interested in anything science? This is one book you really need to consider adding to your list!