Author Showcase
Article provided by Erin Twamley, Education Specialist
The Children’s Book Review | March 23, 2016
The first global agreement to #ActOnClimate is here. The call to action is more urgent than ever before. From our deserts to glaciers humans and animals are feeling the impacts of climate change. A new book, Climate Change: Discover How It Impacts Spaceship Earth aims to bring that discussion to the family kitchen table and science classroom. This book for middle school students focuses on the basic science of climate change and more importantly on the innovations, technologies and actions that each individual can make to change our climate future.
Beginning with the metaphor of Spaceship Earth the authors ask young readers to consider earth’s interconnected systems. In Goldilocks and the Three Planets (Chapter 1) youth are asked to consider the differences between the atmospheres of Earth, Venus and Mars. By studying our planets we get a better understanding of the fragility of Earth’s climate. Biting into the Sun (Chapter 2) looks at the single most important piece of the climate puzzle, the sun. The power of the sun, from heating our planet, to growing plants and creating wind helps create life on Earth.
What is that smell? Burps, Farts and Greenhouse Gases (Chapter 3) takes the reader on a journey to understand the mixture gases in our atmosphere. Examining gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide and methane helps us understand the air we breathe. We then look deeply into complex emissions data as readers are taken on a journey with Time Traveling Scientists (Chapter 4). The data ranges examines bubble in mud and ice to tree ring and coral growth. Looking at these real studies demonstrate the history and breadth of our climate knowledge. It becomes quite clear that the impacts of climate change are being constantly recorded by a variety of scientists from around the world.
To answer the question, what is causing Climate Change? Mother Earth has a Fever (Chapter 5) confirms that 97 percent of scientists and an increasing number of the 7 billion people on our planet all agree that humans are causing climate change. Looking at the Earth’s rising temperature data observed and recorded all around the globe the conclusion is that Earth has a fever, called global warming.
Finally and most importantly is a focus on a pro-active approach to environmental education, with Download Your Future (Chapter 6). This chapter highlights stories of how youth all around the world are addressing climate change and making the future they wish to see for themselves. From simple actions like starting recycling at schools to new inventions like ocean debris collectors.
Throughout Climate Change: Discover How It Impacts Spaceship Earth are engaging hands-on activities that help kids construct basic science understanding about our changing world. The idea of climate change can be scary, but every one of us has the ability to make a difference. Climate Change: Discover How It Impacts Spaceship Earth encourages kids to become responsible caretakers of a sustainable planet.
Key Features of the Book Include:
- With 25 hands-on scaffolded projects kids learn about climate science exploring the power of the sun, planetary science, Arctic ice bubbles, the carbon cycle and more. These projects build a fundamental understanding of the science and the nature of climate change.
- Download Your Future demonstrates how youth from across the globe are impacting #SpaceshipEarth, from cleaning up the plastic in the ocean to scientific inventions purifying water with solar energy. Kids can see other kids taking charge!
- Real-life Studies including those on planetary science, Arctic ice bubbles, coral rings, and migratory patterns, allow students to understand the overwhelming evidence that supports the claim that the global climate is changing.
- Digital Explorations take the investigative learning online. From interactive games to quizzes and videos children can take a deep dive into climate change.
- Meets the framework for K–12 Science and Technology for elementary and middle school grades, and integrates fully with STEM across all grade levels. Using clear and engaging illustrations to help students with literacy.
About the Authors
Erin Twamley is an energy educator, author and English Kindergarten teacher in Seoul, South Korea. Their books Climate Change: Discover How It Impacts Spaceship Earth and Renewable Energy – Discover the Fuel of the Future aim to positively engage youth in learning about renewable energy and addressing climate change through hands-on STEM activities.
Read an exclusive interview between Erin Twamley and The Children’s Book Review …
Joshua Sneideman is Vice President of @LearningBlade, former Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at Department of Energy and a 10 year middle school math and science educator.
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The Author Showcase is a place for authors and illustrators to gain visibility for their works. This article was provided by the author of “Climate Change: Discover How It Impacts Spaceship Earth,” Erin Twamley. Learn more about marketing books and finding an Author Showcase book marketing plan that is right for you …
2 Comments
I just read your book with my students and it is amazing. Clear, direct and full of inspiration.
I highly recommend this book. It is not scary at all and tells the science and story of climate change in a compelling and engaging format that encourages kids to ACT.
Love it!