Pbs Nova Lab

Unlock the Wonders of Science with PBS NOVA Labs: A Deep Dive into Interactive Learning

Are you ready to embark on a fascinating journey of scientific discovery without leaving your computer? Then get ready to explore the incredible world of PBS NOVA Labs! This comprehensive guide dives deep into what makes NOVA Labs so special, offering a detailed exploration of its features, benefits, and the vast array of engaging science experiences it provides for learners of all ages. We'll cover everything from its user-friendly interface to the specific science topics covered, empowering you to maximize your learning experience and understand why NOVA Labs is a leading resource for science education. Let's unlock the secrets of science together!

Exploring the Engaging World of PBS NOVA Labs

PBS NOVA Labs is more than just a website; it's an immersive online science experience designed to make learning fun and accessible. Forget dry textbooks and dull lectures – NOVA Labs utilizes interactive simulations, engaging games, and real-world applications to bring scientific concepts to life. Whether you're a curious student, a lifelong learner, or simply someone fascinated by the wonders of science, NOVA Labs offers something for everyone.

A Deep Dive into the Lab's Interactive Features

One of the key strengths of PBS NOVA Labs lies in its interactive nature. Unlike passive learning methods, NOVA Labs actively engages users through a variety of features:

Interactive Simulations: Dive into virtual experiments that allow you to manipulate variables, test hypotheses, and observe the results firsthand. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of scientific principles than simply reading about them. For example, explore the complexities of genetics through interactive simulations that let you breed virtual organisms with specific traits.

Engaging Games: Learning doesn't have to be a chore! NOVA Labs incorporates gamification elements into its learning modules, transforming complex scientific concepts into fun and challenging games. These games reward exploration and encourage experimentation, making the learning process both enjoyable and effective.

Real-World Applications: NOVA Labs connects scientific concepts to real-world applications, demonstrating their relevance and impact on our lives. This helps learners appreciate the practical significance of scientific discoveries and fosters a deeper understanding of their application in various fields.

Personalized Learning Paths: The platform adapts to individual learning styles and paces, providing personalized recommendations and challenges to keep learners engaged and motivated. This ensures that everyone, regardless of their prior knowledge or learning style, can benefit from the resources available.

Curriculum Alignment: Many of the NOVA Labs activities are aligned with national and state science standards, making them a valuable resource for educators and students alike. This ensures that the learning experiences are relevant and supportive of established educational curricula.

Subject Matter Expertise: A Wide Range of Scientific Disciplines

NOVA Labs boasts a remarkable breadth of scientific topics, catering to a wide range of interests and educational levels. Some of the key areas explored include:

Biology: Explore the intricacies of the living world through interactive modules on genetics, evolution, ecology, and more. Delve into the mysteries of DNA, understand the principles of natural selection, and investigate the complex relationships within ecosystems.

Chemistry: Uncover the fundamental principles of chemistry through engaging experiments and simulations. Learn about chemical reactions, molecular structures, and the properties of matter. Interactive exercises allow you to manipulate virtual molecules and observe the results of chemical processes.

Physics: Explore the laws of physics through interactive simulations and visualizations. Investigate concepts like motion, energy, forces, and electricity. The platform uses visual aids to make complex physics concepts more accessible and engaging.

Earth Science: Discover the wonders of our planet through interactive modules on geology, climate change, and environmental science. Explore plate tectonics, understand the causes of earthquakes and volcanoes, and learn about the impacts of human activities on the environment.

Space Science: Journey into the cosmos through interactive modules on astronomy and astrophysics. Explore the solar system, learn about stars and galaxies, and discover the mysteries of the universe. Virtual telescopes and simulations allow you to explore space from the comfort of your own home.

Utilizing PBS NOVA Labs for Effective Science Education

NOVA Labs is a powerful tool for educators and students alike. Its interactive nature makes learning more engaging and effective, fostering a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. Educators can utilize the platform to supplement classroom instruction, providing students with hands-on learning experiences that complement traditional teaching methods. Students can use NOVA Labs to explore topics in greater depth, reinforce their understanding of concepts learned in class, and discover new areas of scientific interest. The platform's flexibility and accessibility make it a valuable resource for both formal and informal learning environments.

Case Study: The Impact of NOVA Labs on Student Learning

Studies have shown a positive correlation between the use of interactive learning platforms, such as NOVA Labs, and improved student outcomes in science education. Students who engage with interactive simulations and games tend to demonstrate a greater understanding of scientific concepts, improved problem-solving skills, and a more positive attitude towards science. The personalized learning paths offered by NOVA Labs also cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring that all students can benefit from the platform's resources.

A Proposed Curriculum Utilizing PBS NOVA Labs

Title: Unlocking Scientific Mysteries: A Journey Through PBS NOVA Labs

Introduction: A brief overview of PBS NOVA Labs and its potential for enriching science education.

Main Chapters:

Chapter 1: Exploring the World of Biology: Focusing on interactive simulations related to genetics, evolution, and ecology.

Chapter 2: Unveiling the Secrets of Chemistry: Exploring chemical reactions, molecular structures, and the properties of matter through interactive experiments.

Chapter 3: Understanding the Laws of Physics: Investigating concepts like motion, energy, forces, and electricity using interactive simulations and visualizations.

Chapter 4: Discovering Earth's Wonders: Exploring geology, climate change, and environmental science through interactive modules.

Chapter 5: Journeying into Space: Exploring astronomy and astrophysics with interactive modules on the solar system, stars, and galaxies.

Conclusion: A summary of the key learnings and a discussion on the continued use of PBS NOVA Labs for further scientific exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is PBS NOVA Labs free to use? Yes, PBS NOVA Labs is a free resource available to everyone.

2. What age range is PBS NOVA Labs suitable for? The labs cater to a wide range of ages, from elementary school to adult learners, with content tailored to different levels.

3. Do I need to create an account to use PBS NOVA Labs? While not always required for access to all content, creating an account can provide personalized recommendations and track your progress.

4. Is PBS NOVA Labs available on mobile devices? Yes, NOVA Labs is accessible on various devices, including tablets and smartphones.

5. What kind of internet connection is needed to use PBS NOVA Labs? A reliable internet connection is recommended for optimal performance.

6. Are there educational resources for teachers using PBS NOVA Labs? Yes, NOVA Labs offers support and resources for educators, including curriculum alignments and lesson plans.

7. Can I download the labs for offline use? Not all content is available for offline access; however, some resources may offer downloadable materials.

8. Is PBS NOVA Labs accessible to individuals with disabilities? PBS strives to make its content accessible, and many labs include features to improve accessibility.

9. How can I provide feedback on PBS NOVA Labs? The PBS website usually provides contact information or feedback mechanisms for users to share their opinions.

1. The Best Interactive Science Websites for Kids: A curated list of online resources providing engaging science learning for children.

2. How to Make Science Fun for Kids at Home: Practical tips and ideas for conducting science experiments and activities at home.

3. The Impact of Technology on Science Education: An exploration of how technology is transforming the way science is taught and learned.

4. Gamification in Education: A Powerful Tool for Engagement: A discussion on how game mechanics can be used to enhance learning and motivation.

5. Top 10 Science Experiments for Middle School Students: A list of exciting and educational experiments suitable for middle schoolers.

6. The Importance of Hands-on Learning in Science: An analysis of the benefits of hands-on experiences in fostering scientific understanding.

7. How to Choose the Right Science Curriculum for Your Child: Guidance on selecting appropriate science materials for different age groups and learning styles.

8. STEM Education: Preparing the Next Generation of Scientists: A look at the importance of STEM education and its impact on future innovation.

9. Bridging the Gap Between Science and Society: A discussion on the importance of making science relevant and accessible to the broader community.

pbs nova lab: Molecular Biology of the Gene James D. Watson, Tania A. Baker, Stephen P. Bell, 2014 Now completely up-to-date with the latest research advances, the Seventh Edition retains the distinctive character of earlier editions. Twenty-two concise chapters, co-authored by six highly distinguished biologists, provide current, authoritative coverage of an exciting, fast-changing discipline.
pbs nova lab: The Lab David Edwards, David A Edwards, 2011-02-28 The Lab explains the idea of the “culture lab,” Edwards’ concept for experimental art and design centers like those he recently founded in Paris and at Harvard. He presents the lab as a new kind of educational art studio based on a contemporary science lab model, and he shows how students learn by translating ideas alongside experienced creators by exhibiting risky experimental processes in gallery settings.
pbs nova lab: The Book of Unusual Knowledge Ltd Publications International, 2012-03 The Book of Unusual Knowledge is a mammoth 704-page hardcover book crammed with a cornucopia of information--some useful, others not so much--but all of it completely captivating. It's perfect for anyone with a curious mind and a passion for learning. With quirky illustrations and a vast array of articles, anecdotes, lists, and games, this book will provide hours of fascinating reading. It will also expand your knowledge on a range of topics, including the animal kingdom, art, sports, technology, history, politics, the universe, and much, much more. Sample topics include: * Are plastic bags killing sacred cows in India? * Does NASCAR have roots in bootlegging moonshine? * Did Ronald Reagan see not one--but two--UFOs during his lifetime? Gorgeous leatherette binding with gilded accents makes The Book of Unusual Knowledge a handsome addition to your library.
pbs nova lab: Building Big David Macaulay, 2000 Companion volume to PBS series which originally aired October 2000.
pbs nova lab: Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold Tom Shachtman, 2000-12-12 “A lovely, fascinating book, which brings science to life.” —Alan Lightman Combining science, history, and adventure, Tom Shachtman “holds the reader’s attention with the skill of a novelist” as he chronicles the story of humans’ four-centuries-long quest to master the secrets of cold (Scientific American). “A disarming portrait of an exquisite, ferocious, world-ending extreme,” Absolute Zero and the Conquest of Cold demonstrates how temperature science produced astonishing scientific insights and applications that have revolutionized civilization (Kirkus Reviews). It also illustrates how scientific advancement, fueled by fortuitous discoveries and the efforts of determined individuals, has allowed people to adapt to—and change—the environments in which they live and work, shaping man’s very understanding of, and relationship, with the world. This “truly wonderful book” was adapted into an acclaimed documentary underwritten by the National Science Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, directed by British Emmy Award winner David Dugan, and aired on the BBC and PBS’s Nova in 2008 (Library Journal). “An absorbing account to chill out with.” —Booklist
pbs nova lab: The Case of the Frozen Addicts J.W. Langston, J. Palfreman, 2013-12-02 In the summer of 1982, hospital emergency rooms in the San Francisco Bay Area were suddenly confronted with mysteriously “frozen” patients – young men and women who, though conscious, could neither move nor speak. Doctors were baffled, until neurologist J. William Langston, recognizing the symptoms of advanced Parkinson’s disease, administered L-dopa – the only known effective treatment – and “unfroze” his patient. Dr. Langston determined that this patient and five others had all used the same tainted batch of synthetic heroin, inadvertently laced with a toxin that had destroyed an area of their brains essential to normal movement. This same area, the substantia nigra, slowly deteriorates in Parkinson’s disease. As scientists raced to capitalize on this breakthrough, Dr. Langston struggled to salvage the lives of his frozen patients, for whom L-dopa provided only short-term relief. The solution he found lay in the most daring area of research: fetal-tissue transplants. The astonishing recovery of two of his patients garnered worldwide press coverage, helped overturn federal restrictions on fetal-tissue research, and offered hope to millions suffering from Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other degenerative brain disorders. This is the story behind the headline – a spellbinding account that brings to life the intellectual excitement, ethical dilemmas, and fierce competitiveness of medical research. This new updated edition of the classic neurological mystery tale, “The Case of the Frozen Addicts,” illuminates how the solution to a baffling mystery of the brain’s chemistry opened a new frontier in medicine and restored life to people without hope. “It begins with a series of quixotic discoveries, escalates to providing possible solutions for one of humanity’s most intractable medical problems, and then catapults the reader into the center of America’s hottest political arena – abortion and fetal sanctity. Bravo! A brilliant read.” – Laurie Garrett, author of The Coming Plague “[Langston and Palfreman] weave a highly readable and spellbinding medical detective tale... It is as absorbing as a good mystery, as entertaining as an exciting novel, and as enlightening as a good biography.” – Stanley Fahn, New England Journal of Medicine “I could not put it down... it is the lives of the ‘frozen addicts’ themselves – and the fullness with which this is presented – which makes the whole thing overwhelming.” – Oliver Sacks
pbs nova lab: Rebel Cell Kat Arney, 2020-10-20 Why do we get cancer? Is it our modern diets and unhealthy habits? Chemicals in the environment? An unwelcome genetic inheritance? Or is it just bad luck? The answer is all of these and none of them. We get cancer because we can't avoid it—it's a bug in the system of life itself. Cancer exists in nearly every animal and has afflicted humans as long as our species has walked the earth. In Rebel Cell: Cancer, Evolution, and the New Science of Life's Oldest Betrayal, Kat Arney reveals the secrets of our most formidable medical enemy, most notably the fact that it isn't so much a foreign invader as a double agent: cancer is hardwired into the fundamental processes of life. New evidence shows that this disease is the result of the same evolutionary changes that allowed us to thrive. Evolution helped us outsmart our environment, and it helps cancer outsmart its environment as well—alas, that environment is us. Explaining why everything we know about cancer is wrong, Arney, a geneticist and award-winning science writer, guides readers with her trademark wit and clarity through the latest research into the cellular mavericks that rebel against the rigid biological society of the body and make a leap towards anarchy. We need to be a lot smarter to defeat such a wily foe—smarter even than Darwin himself. In this new world, where we know that every cancer is unique and can evolve its way out of trouble, the old models of treatment have reached their limits. But we are starting to decipher cancer's secret evolutionary playbook, mapping the landscapes in which these rogue cells survive, thrive, or die, and using this knowledge to predict and confound cancer's next move. Rebel Cell is a story about life and death, hope and hubris, nature and nurture. It's about a new way of thinking about what this disease really is and the role it plays in human life. Above all, it's a story about where cancer came from, where it's going, and how we can stop it.
pbs nova lab: Tomorrow's Table Pamela C. Ronald, R. W. Adamchak, 2008-04-18 By the year 2050, Earth's population will double. If we continue with current farming practices, vast amounts of wilderness will be lost, millions of birds and billions of insects will die, and the public will lose billions of dollars as a consequence of environmental degradation. Clearly, there must be a better way to meet the need for increased food production. Written as part memoir, part instruction, and part contemplation, Tomorrow's Table argues that a judicious blend of two important strands of agriculture--genetic engineering and organic farming--is key to helping feed the world's growing population in an ecologically balanced manner. Pamela Ronald, a geneticist, and her husband, Raoul Adamchak, an organic farmer, take the reader inside their lives for roughly a year, allowing us to look over their shoulders so that we can see what geneticists and organic farmers actually do. The reader sees the problems that farmers face, trying to provide larger yields without resorting to expensive or environmentally hazardous chemicals, a problem that will loom larger and larger as the century progresses. They learn how organic farmers and geneticists address these problems. This book is for consumers, farmers, and policy decision makers who want to make food choices and policy that will support ecologically responsible farming practices. It is also for anyone who wants accurate information about organic farming, genetic engineering, and their potential impacts on human health and the environment.
pbs nova lab: Quantum Aspects of Life Derek Abbott, P. C. W. Davies, Arun K. Pati, 2008 A quantum origin of life? -- Quantum mechanics and emergence -- Quantum coherence and the search for the first replicator -- Ultrafast quantum dynamics in photosynthesis -- Modelling quantum decoherence in biomolecules -- Molecular evolution -- Memory depends on the cytoskeleton, but is it quantum? -- Quantum metabolism and allometric scaling relations in biology -- Spectroscopy of the genetic code -- Towards understanding the origin of genetic languages -- Can arbitrary quantum systems undergo self-replication? -- A semi-quantum version of the game of life -- Evolutionary stability in quantum games -- Quantum transmemetic intelligence -- Dreams versus reality : plenary debate session on quantum computing -- Plenary debate: quantum effects in biology : trivial or not? -- Nontrivial quantum effects in biology : a skeptical physicists' view -- That's life! : the geometry of p electron clouds.
pbs nova lab: CUCKOO'S EGG Clifford Stoll, 2012-05-23 Before the Internet became widely known as a global tool for terrorists, one perceptive U.S. citizen recognized its ominous potential. Armed with clear evidence of computer espionage, he began a highly personal quest to expose a hidden network of spies that threatened national security. But would the authorities back him up? Cliff Stoll's dramatic firsthand account is a computer-age detective story, instantly fascinating [and] astonishingly gripping (Smithsonian). Cliff Stoll was an astronomer turned systems manager at Lawrence Berkeley Lab when a 75-cent accounting error alerted him to the presence of an unauthorized user on his system. The hacker's code name was Hunter—a mysterious invader who managed to break into U.S. computer systems and steal sensitive military and security information. Stoll began a one-man hunt of his own: spying on the spy. It was a dangerous game of deception, broken codes, satellites, and missile bases—a one-man sting operation that finally gained the attention of the CIA . . . and ultimately trapped an international spy ring fueled by cash, cocaine, and the KGB.
pbs nova lab: Searching for the Oldest Stars Anna Frebel, 2019-08-27 A leading astronomer takes readers behind the scenes of the thrilling science of stellar archaeology and explains how sections of the night sky are excavated in the hunt for extremely rare, 13-billion-year-old relic stars and how this quest reveals tantalizing new details about the origins and evolution of the cosmos.
pbs nova lab: The New Breed Kate Darling, 2021-04-20 For readers of The Second Machine Age or The Soul of an Octopus, a bold, exciting exploration of how building diverse kinds of relationships with robots—inspired by how we interact with animals—could be the key to making our future with robot technology work There has been a lot of ink devoted to discussions of how robots will replace us and take our jobs. But MIT Media Lab researcher and technology policy expert Kate Darling argues just the opposite, suggesting that treating robots with a bit of humanity, more like the way we treat animals, will actually serve us better. From a social, legal, and ethical perspective, she shows that our current ways of thinking don’t leave room for the robot technology that is soon to become part of our everyday routines. Robots are likely to supplement—rather than replace—our own skills and relationships. So if we consider our history of incorporating animals into our work, transportation, military, and even families, we actually have a solid basis for how to contend with this future. A deeply original analysis of our technological future and the ethical dilemmas that await us, The New Breed explains how the treatment of machines can reveal a new understanding of our own history, our own systems, and how we relate—not just to nonhumans, but also to one another.
pbs nova lab: The Memory Thief Lauren Aguirre, 2021-06-01 FINALIST FOR THE 2022 PEN/E.O. WILSON LITERARY SCIENCE WRITING AWARD Aguirre writes clearly, concisely, and often cinematically. The book succeeds in providing an accessible yet substantive look at memory science and offering glimpses of the often-challenging process of biomedical investigation.”—Science Sometimes, it’s not the discovery that’s hard – it’s convincing others that you’re right. The Memory Thief chronicles an investigation into a rare and devastating amnesia first identified in a cluster of fentanyl overdose survivors. When a handful of doctors embark on a quest to find out exactly what happened to these marginalized victims, they encounter indifference and skepticism from the medical establishment. But after many blind alleys and occasional strokes of good luck, they go on to prove that opioids can damage the hippocampus, a tiny brain region responsible for forming new memories. This discovery may have implications for millions of people around the world. Through the prism of this fascinating story, Aguirre recounts the obstacles researchers so often confront when new ideas bump up against conventional wisdom. She explains the elegant tricks scientists use to tease out the fundamental mechanisms of memory. And finally, she reveals why researchers now believe that a treatment for Alzheimer’s is within reach.
pbs nova lab: HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust Abbas Moallem, 2019-07-10 This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed proceedings of the First International Conference on HCI for Cybersecurity, Privacy and Trust, HCI-CPT 2019, which was held as part of the 21st HCI International Conference, HCII 2019, in Orlando, FL, USA, in July 2019. The total of 1275 papers and 209 posters included in the 35 HCII 2019 proceedings volumes were carefully reviewed and selected from 5029 submissions. HCI-CPT 2019 includes a total of 32 papers; they were organized in topical sections named: Authentication; cybersecurity awareness and behavior; security and usability; and privacy and trust.
pbs nova lab: Outrageous Animal Adaptations Michael J. Rosen, 2018 A fish that walks on land, a frog that makes its own sunscreen, and an insect that can become invisible? These are just a few examples of how Earth's creatures have evolved some outrageous features and tricks to ensure survival.
pbs nova lab: Your Inner Fish Neil Shubin, 2008-01-15 The paleontologist and professor of anatomy who co-discovered Tiktaalik, the “fish with hands,” tells a “compelling scientific adventure story that will change forever how you understand what it means to be human” (Oliver Sacks). By examining fossils and DNA, he shows us that our hands actually resemble fish fins, our heads are organized like long-extinct jawless fish, and major parts of our genomes look and function like those of worms and bacteria. Your Inner Fish makes us look at ourselves and our world in an illuminating new light. This is science writing at its finest—enlightening, accessible and told with irresistible enthusiasm.
pbs nova lab: Simulations as Scaffolds in Science Education Maggie Renken, Melanie Peffer, Kathrin Otrel-Cass, Isabelle Girault, Augusto Chiocarriello, 2015-11-24 This book outlines key issues for addressing the grand challenges posed to educators, developers, and researchers interested in the intersection of simulations and science education. To achieve this, the authors explore the use of computer simulations as instructional scaffolds that provide strategies and support when students are faced with the need to acquire new skills or knowledge. The monograph aims to provide insight into what research has reported on navigating the complex process of inquiry- and problem-based science education and whether computer simulations as instructional scaffolds support specific aims of such pedagogical approaches for students.
pbs nova lab: Vision and Art (Updated and Expanded Edition) Margaret S. Livingstone, 2014-03-25 A Harvard neurobiologist explains how vision works, citing the scientific origins of artistic genius and providing coverage of such topics as optical illusions and the correlation between learning disabilities and artistic skill.
pbs nova lab: Health Design Thinking Bon Ku, Ellen Lupton, 2020-03-17 Applying the principles of human-centered design to real-world health care challenges, from drug packaging to early detection of breast cancer. This book makes a case for applying the principles of design thinking to real-world health care challenges. As health care systems around the globe struggle to expand access, improve outcomes, and control costs, Health Design Thinking offers a human-centered approach for designing health care products and services, with examples and case studies that range from drug packaging and exam rooms to internet-connected devices for early detection of breast cancer. Written by leaders in the field—Bon Ku, a physician and founder of the innovative Health Design Lab at Sidney Kimmel Medical College, and Ellen Lupton, an award-winning graphic designer and curator at Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum—the book outlines the fundamentals of design thinking and highlights important products, prototypes, and research in health design. Health design thinking uses play and experimentation rather than a rigid methodology. It draws on interviews, observations, diagrams, storytelling, physical models, and role playing; design teams focus not on technology but on problems faced by patients and clinicians. The book's diverse case studies show health design thinking in action. These include the development of PillPack, which frames prescription drug delivery in terms of user experience design; a credit card–size device that allows patients to generate their own electrocardiograms; and improved emergency room signage. Drawings, photographs, storyboards, and other visualizations accompany the case studies. Copublished with Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
pbs nova lab: On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer's Greg O'Brien, 2018-02-27 This is a book about living with Alzheimer’s, not dying with it. It is a book about hope, faith, and humor—a prescription far more powerful than the conventional medication available today to fight this disease. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the US—and the only one of these diseases on the rise. More than 5 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia; about 35 million people worldwide. Greg O’Brien, an award-winning investigative reporter, has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's and is one of those faceless numbers. Acting on long-term memory and skill coupled with well-developed journalistic grit, O’Brien decided to tackle the disease and his imminent decline by writing frankly about the journey. O’Brien is a master storyteller. His story is naked, wrenching, and soul searching for a generation and their loved ones about to cross the threshold of this death in slow motion. On Pluto: Inside the Mind of Alzheimer’s is a trail-blazing roadmap for a generation—both a “how to” for fighting a disease, and a “how not” to give up!
pbs nova lab: One Hen Katie Smith Milway, 2020-04-07 Inspired by true events, One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who turns a small loan into a thriving farm and a livelihood for many.
pbs nova lab: Meteorology Karen Bush Gibson, 2017-08-15 Does the weather fascinate you? Thunderstorms, tornados, hurricanes, and snowstorms are just some of the weather events that affect people’s everyday lives. Since the time of the Ancient Greeks, people have been fascinated with weather phenomena and how they relate to human activities, such as sailing and farming. Meteorology is the science of the atmosphere, particularly the processes and phenomena that are used in forecasting the weather, and how weather relates to the oceans and climate. Long-term climate patterns, such as El Niño, don’t just affect weather. They disrupt global atmospheric circulation, ocean currents, and the economies of many countries. Every day, thousands of meteorologists observe and record measurements at more than 10,000 weather stations on land and sea throughout the world. Data also comes from satellites, weather balloons, and radar. This data is transmitted to weather centers of the world, where computer models produce the information used in weather prediction. Meteorology: Cool Women Who Weather Storms introduces readers ages 9 to 12 to three women in meteorology who are making an impact and inspiring future generations of meteorologists. Kelly Cass is a broadcast meteorologist at the Weather Channel with a particular interest in severe weather. Bianca Hernandez works as a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in their Phoenix office. Pam Heinselman is a professor and Research Scientist with the National Severe Storms Lab. This nonfiction STEM title serves as a bridge between girls’ interests and their potential careers in meteorology by telling captivating stories about real-life meteorologists and the many ways meteorology benefits society. Meteorology isn’t just about storm tracking, it’s about how the atmosphere affects the earth in the past, present, and future. Advances in meteorology are strongly connected with developments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Readers will be encouraged to investigate how atmospheric forces affect our lives and how using scientific and mathematical principles allow meteorologists to predict the weather and save lives.
pbs nova lab: Windsongs Douglas Florian, 2024-05-28 Discover the fascinating world of weather through clever and entertaining poetry in this “delightfully sunny” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book from celebrated poet Douglas Florian, creator of Dinothesaurus, Poetrees, and UnBEElievables. Weather describes our atmosphere. Like whether it’s cloudy, or whether it’s clear. Whether it’s freezing, or frosty, or cool. Whether it’s snowing—today there’s no school! Learn about all sorts of weather all over the world, from a regular rainy day to a hurricane, from fog to frost, from droughts to dewy mornings. With clever poems perfect for reading aloud and fact-filled backmatter, young readers can explore both everyday and once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomena.
pbs nova lab: The One and Only Ivan Katherine Applegate, 2012-01-17 The #1 New York Times bestselling and Newbery Award-winning novel The One and Only Ivan is now a major motion picture streaming on Disney+ This unforgettable novel from renowned author Katherine Applegate celebrates the transformative power of unexpected friendship. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla known as Ivan, this illustrated book is told from the point of view of Ivan himself. Having spent twenty-seven years behind the glass walls of his enclosure in a shopping mall, Ivan has grown accustomed to humans watching him. He hardly ever thinks about his life in the jungle. Instead, Ivan occupies himself with television, his friends Stella and Bob, and painting. But when he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from the wild, he is forced to see their home, and his art, through new eyes. In the tradition of timeless stories like Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, Katherine Applegate blends humor and poignancy to create an unforgettable story of friendship, art, and hope. The One and Only Ivan features first-person narrative; author's use of literary devices (personification, imagery); and story elements (plot, character development, perspective). This acclaimed middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 8, for independent reading, homeschooling, and sharing in the classroom. Plus don't miss The One and Only Bob, Katherine Applegate's return to the world of Ivan, Bob, and Ruby!
pbs nova lab: Astronomy 2e Andrew Fraknoi, David Morrison, Sidney Wolff, 2024-09-12 Designed to meet the scope and sequence of your course, Astronomy 2e is written in clear non-technical language, with the occasional touch of humor and a wide range of clarifying illustrations. It has many analogies drawn from everyday life to help non-science majors appreciate, on their own terms, what our modern exploration of the universe is revealing. The book can be used for either a one-semester or two-semester introductory course.
pbs nova lab: The Poisoner's Handbook Deborah Blum, 2011-01-25 Equal parts true crime, twentieth-century history, and science thriller, The Poisoner's Handbook is a vicious, page-turning story that reads more like Raymond Chandler than Madame Curie. —The New York Observer “The Poisoner’s Handbook breathes deadly life into the Roaring Twenties.” —Financial Times “Reads like science fiction, complete with suspense, mystery and foolhardy guys in lab coats tipping test tubes of mysterious chemicals into their own mouths.” —NPR: What We're Reading A fascinating Jazz Age tale of chemistry and detection, poison and murder, The Poisoner's Handbook is a page-turning account of a forgotten era. In early twentieth-century New York, poisons offered an easy path to the perfect crime. Science had no place in the Tammany Hall-controlled coroner's office, and corruption ran rampant. However, with the appointment of chief medical examiner Charles Norris in 1918, the poison game changed forever. Together with toxicologist Alexander Gettler, the duo set the justice system on fire with their trailblazing scientific detective work, triumphing over seemingly unbeatable odds to become the pioneers of forensic chemistry and the gatekeepers of justice. In 2014, PBS's AMERICAN EXPERIENCE released a film based on The Poisoner's Handbook.
pbs nova lab: Difficult Men Brett Martin, 2014-07-29 The 10th anniversary edition, now with a new preface by the author A wonderfully smart, lively, and culturally astute survey. - The New York Times Book Review Grand entertainment...fascinating for anyone curious about the perplexing miracles of how great television comes to be. - The Wall Street Journal I love this book...It's the kind of thing I wish I'd been able to read in film school, back before such books existed. - Vince Gilligan, creator of Breaking Bad and co-creator of Better Call Saul In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the landscape of television began an unprecedented transformation. While the networks continued to chase the lowest common denominator, a wave of new shows on cable channels dramatically stretched television’s narrative inventiveness, emotional resonance, and creative ambition. Combining deep reportage with critical analysis and historical context, Brett Martin recounts the rise and inner workings of this artistic watershed - a golden age of TV that continues to transform America's cultural landscape. Difficult Men features extensive interviews with all the major players - including David Chase (The Sopranos), David Simon and Ed Burns (The Wire), David Milch (NYPD Blue, Deadwood), Alan Ball (Six Feet Under), and Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) - and reveals how television became a truly significant and influential part of our culture.
pbs nova lab: Girl Decoded Rana el Kaliouby, Carol Colman, 2020-04-21 In a captivating memoir, an Egyptian American visionary and scientist provides an intimate view of her personal transformation as she follows her calling—to humanize our technology and how we connect with one another. LONGLISTED FOR THE PORCHLIGHT BUSINESS BOOK AWARD • “A vivid coming-of-age story and a call to each of us to be more mindful and compassionate when we interact online.”—Arianna Huffington NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY PARADE Rana el Kaliouby is a rarity in both the tech world and her native Middle East: a Muslim woman in charge in a field that is still overwhelmingly white and male. Growing up in Egypt and Kuwait, el Kaliouby was raised by a strict father who valued tradition—yet also had high expectations for his daughters—and a mother who was one of the first female computer programmers in the Middle East. Even before el Kaliouby broke ground as a scientist, she broke the rules of what it meant to be an obedient daughter and, later, an obedient wife to pursue her own daring dream. After earning her PhD at Cambridge, el Kaliouby, now the divorced mother of two, moved to America to pursue her mission to humanize technology before it dehumanizes us. The majority of our communication is conveyed through nonverbal cues: facial expressions, tone of voice, body language. But that communication is lost when we interact with others through our smartphones and devices. The result is an emotion-blind digital universe that impairs the very intelligence and capabilities—including empathy—that distinguish human beings from our machines. To combat our fundamental loss of emotional intelligence online, she cofounded Affectiva, the pioneer in the new field of Emotion AI, allowing our technology to understand humans the way we understand one another. Girl Decoded chronicles el Kaliouby’s journey from being a “nice Egyptian girl” to becoming a woman, carving her own path as she revolutionizes technology. But decoding herself—learning to express and act on her own emotions—would prove to be the biggest challenge of all.
pbs nova lab: Germs Judith Miller, William J Broad, Stephen Engelberg, 2012-02-01 In this “engrossing, well-documented, and highly readable” (San Francisco Chronicle) New York Times bestseller, three veteran reporters draw on top sources inside and outside the U.S. government to reveal Washington's secret strategies for combating germ warfare and the deadly threat of biological and chemical weapons. Today Americans have begun to grapple with two difficult truths: that there is no terrorist threat more horrifying—and less understood—than germ warfare, and that it would take very little to mount a devastating attack on American soil. Featuring an inside look at how germ warfare has been waged throughout history and what form its future might take (and in whose hands), Germs reads like a gripping detective story told by fascinating key figures: American and Soviet medical specialists who once made germ weapons but now fight their spread, FBI agents who track Islamic radicals, the Iraqis who built Saddam Hussein's secret arsenal, spies who travel the world collecting lethal microbes, and scientists who see ominous developments on the horizon. With clear scientific explanations and harrowing insights, Germs is a vivid, masterfully written—and timely—work of investigative journalism.
pbs nova lab: Silk & Venom Kathryn Lasky, Christopher G. Knight, 2011 Follows the firsthand search of arachnologist Greta Binford for the elusive Loxosceles, the deadly recluse spider.
pbs nova lab: Learning in the Age of Digital and Green Transition Michael E. Auer, Wolfgang Pachatz, Tiia Rüütmann, 2023-02-22 We are currently witnessing a significant transformation in the development of education on all levels and especially in post-secondary education. To face these challenges, higher education must find innovative ways to quickly respond to these new needs. These were the aims connected with the 25th International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning (ICL2022), which was held in Vienna, Austria, from September 27 to 30, 2022. Since its beginning in 1998, this conference is devoted to new approaches in learning with a focus on collaborative learning in higher education. This book contains papers in the fields of: • New Learning Models and Applications• Project-Based Learning• Engineering Pedagogy Education• Research in Engineering Pedagogy• Teaching Best Practices• Real World Experiences• Academia-Industry Partnerships• Trends in Master and Doctoral Research. Interested readership includes policymakers, academics, educators, researchers in pedagogy and learning theory, school teachers, the learning industry, further and continuing education lecturers, etc.
pbs nova lab: The Tales Teeth Tell Tanya M. Smith, 2018-10-23 What human teeth can tell us about our evolution, development, and behavior . . . This fascinating, accessible study will “put a smile on your face with its weird facts about primate dentistry and the shrinking grins of modern-day humans” (Washington Post). Our teeth have intriguing stories to tell. These sophisticated time machines record growth, diet, and evolutionary history as clearly as tree rings map a redwood's lifespan. Each day of childhood is etched into tooth crowns and roots—capturing birth, nursing history, environmental clues, and illnesses. The study of ancient, fossilized teeth sheds light on how our ancestors grew up, how we evolved, and how prehistoric cultural transitions continue to affect humans today. In The Tales Teeth Tell, biological anthropologist Tanya Smith offers an engaging and surprising look at what teeth tell us about the evolution of primates—including our own uniqueness. Humans’ impressive set of varied teeth provides a multipurpose toolkit honed by the diet choices of our mammalian ancestors. Fossil teeth, highly resilient because of their substantial mineral content, are all that is left of some long-extinct species. Smith explains how researchers employ painstaking techniques to coax microscopic secrets from these enigmatic remains. Counting tiny daily lines provides a way to estimate age that is more powerful than any other forensic technique. Dental plaque—so carefully removed by dental hygienists today—records our ancestors' behavior and health in the form of fossilized food particles and bacteria, including their DNA. Smith also traces the grisly origins of dentistry, reveals that the urge to pick one’s teeth is not unique to humans, and illuminates the age-old pursuit of “dental art.” The book is generously illustrated with original photographs, many in color.
pbs nova lab: Current Protocols Essential Laboratory Techniques Sean R. Gallagher, Emily A. Wiley, 2012-03-19 The latest title from the acclaimed Current Protocols series, Current Protocols Essential Laboratory Techniques, 2e provides the new researcher with the skills and understanding of the fundamental laboratory procedures necessary to run successful experiments, solve problems, and become a productive member of the modern life science laboratory. From covering the basic skills such as measurement, preparation of reagents and use of basic instrumentation to the more advanced techniques such as blotting, chromatography and real-time PCR, this book will serve as a practical reference manual for any life science researcher. Written by a combination of distinguished investigators and outstanding faculty, Current Protocols Essential Laboratory Techniques, 2e is the cornerstone on which the beginning scientist can develop the skills for a successful research career.
pbs nova lab: Tectonic Geomorphology Douglas W. Burbank, Robert S. Anderson, 2011-11-02 Tectonic geomorphology is the study of the interplay between tectonic and surface processes that shape the landscape in regions of active deformation and at time scales ranging from days to millions of years. Over the past decade, recent advances in the quantification of both rates and the physical basis of tectonic and surface processes have underpinned an explosion of new research in the field of tectonic geomorphology. Modern tectonic geomorphology is an exceptionally integrative field that utilizes techniques and data derived from studies of geomorphology, seismology, geochronology, structure, geodesy, stratigraphy, meteorology and Quaternary science. While integrating new insights and highlighting controversies from the ten years of research since the 1st edition, this 2nd edition of Tectonic Geomorphology reviews the fundamentals of the subject, including the nature of faulting and folding, the creation and use of geomorphic markers for tracing deformation, chronological techniques that are used to date events and quantify rates, geodetic techniques for defining recent deformation, and paleoseismologic approaches to calibrate past deformation. Overall, this book focuses on the current understanding of the dynamic interplay between surface processes and active tectonics. As it ranges from the timescales of individual earthquakes to the growth and decay of mountain belts, this book provides a timely synthesis of modern research for upper-level undergraduate and graduate earth science students and for practicing geologists. Additional resources for this book can be found at: www.wiley.com/go/burbank/geomorphology.
pbs nova lab: Take Five! for Science Kaye Hagler, Judy Elgin Jensen, 2015-06-10 Take Five! for Science transforms those first five minutes of class into engaging writing opportunities. Students will brainstorm their way through 75 topics within three main science divisions: earth, life, and physical science. All prompts are aligned with NGSS and ELA CCSS as students debate, compare, investigate, question, and design in response to 150 prompts. Whether your students are working to save endangered ecosystems, investigating distant constellations, creating unusual animals, or constructing a design solution, these diverse and creative prompts will have students looking forward to each day when they're asked to Take Five! for Science. Begin every day of the school year with a burst of writing in the science discipline with this comprehensive and fun resource. Ready? Set? Take Five!
pbs nova lab: The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001–2022 America's Test Kitchen, 2021-10-05 22 years of foolproof recipes from the hit TV show captured in one complete volume The Complete America's Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook is a living archive of every recipe that has been on every episode of public television's top-rated cooking show, including the new season that debuts in January 2022. It also includes the top-rated equipment and ingredients from the new testing and tasting segments. Cook along with Bridget and Julia and the test kitchen chefs as the new episodes of the 2022 season air with all-new recipes. Every recipe that has appeared on the show is in this cookbook along with the test kitchen's indispensable notes and tips. A comprehensive shopping guide shows readers what products the ATK Reviews team recommends and it alone is worth the price of the book.
pbs nova lab: The City and the Coming Climate Brian Stone (Jr.), 2012-04-16 First book to explore dramatic amplification of global warming underway in cities for students, policy makers and the general reader.
pbs nova lab: Lidia's a Pot, a Pan, and a Bowl Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, Tanya Bastianich Manuali, 2021-10-19 NATIONAL BESTSELLER Beloved TV chef and best-selling author Lidia Bastianich shares more than 100 delicious Italian recipes that are both easy to make and will leave you with fewer dirty dishes. Using just one (or two) pots, pans, or bowls, these homey dishes are quick and simple to prepare, requiring fewer steps and less stress, all without sacrificing any of the delicious flavors that are Lidia’s trademark. Some of Lidia’s very favorite recipes include Spinach, Bread, and Ricotta Frittata; One-Pan Chicken and Eggplant Parmigiana; Roasted Squash and Carrot Salad with Chickpeas and Almonds; Penne with Cauliflower and Green Olive Pesto; Balsamic Chicken Stir-Fry; Skillet Lasagna; Braised Calamari with Olives and Peppers; Beer-Braised Beef Short Ribs; and Apple Cranberry Crumble. Many are old classics, others are new creations—and each one is guaranteed to satisfy. Filled with personal stories, beautiful photographs, and even Lidia’s guide to cooking with the Instant Pot, Lidia’s a Pot, a Pan, and a Bowl is an essential collection for busy home cooks, and for anyone who wants to be transported to Italy with the least possible fuss and mess. Tutti a tavola a mangiare!
pbs nova lab: The Gene Siddhartha Mukherjee, 2016-05-17 The #1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller The basis for the PBS Ken Burns Documentary The Gene: An Intimate History Now includes an excerpt from Siddhartha Mukherjee’s new book Song of the Cell! From the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies—a fascinating history of the gene and “a magisterial account of how human minds have laboriously, ingeniously picked apart what makes us tick” (Elle). “Sid Mukherjee has the uncanny ability to bring together science, history, and the future in a way that is understandable and riveting, guiding us through both time and the mystery of life itself.” —Ken Burns “Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee dazzled readers with his Pulitzer Prize-winning The Emperor of All Maladies in 2010. That achievement was evidently just a warm-up for his virtuoso performance in The Gene: An Intimate History, in which he braids science, history, and memoir into an epic with all the range and biblical thunder of Paradise Lost” (The New York Times). In this biography Mukherjee brings to life the quest to understand human heredity and its surprising influence on our lives, personalities, identities, fates, and choices. “Mukherjee expresses abstract intellectual ideas through emotional stories…[and] swaddles his medical rigor with rhapsodic tenderness, surprising vulnerability, and occasional flashes of pure poetry” (The Washington Post). Throughout, the story of Mukherjee’s own family—with its tragic and bewildering history of mental illness—reminds us of the questions that hang over our ability to translate the science of genetics from the laboratory to the real world. In riveting and dramatic prose, he describes the centuries of research and experimentation—from Aristotle and Pythagoras to Mendel and Darwin, from Boveri and Morgan to Crick, Watson and Franklin, all the way through the revolutionary twenty-first century innovators who mapped the human genome. “A fascinating and often sobering history of how humans came to understand the roles of genes in making us who we are—and what our manipulation of those genes might mean for our future” (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel), The Gene is the revelatory and magisterial history of a scientific idea coming to life, the most crucial science of our time, intimately explained by a master. “The Gene is a book we all should read” (USA TODAY).
pbs nova lab: The University of Illinois Frederick E Hoxie, 2017-02-07 The founding of the university in 1867 created a unique community in what had been a prairie. Within a few years, this creative mix of teachers and scholars produced innovations in agriculture, engineering and the arts that challenged old ideas and stimulated dynamic new industries. Projects ranging from the Mosaic web browser to the discovery of Archaea and pioneering triumphs in women's education and wheelchair accessibility have helped shape the university's mission into a double helix of innovation and real-world change. These essays explore the university's celebrated accomplishments and historic legacy, candidly assessing both its successes and its setbacks. Experts and students tell the eye-opening stories of campus legends and overlooked game-changers, of astonishing technical and social invention, of incubators of progress as diverse as the Beckman Institute and Ebertfest. Contributors: James R. Barrett, George O. Batzli, Claire Benjamin, Jeffrey D. Brawn, Jimena Canales, Stephanie A. Dick, Poshek Fu, Marcelo H. Garcia, Lillian Hoddeson, Harry Liebersohn, Claudia Lutz, Kathleen Mapes, Vicki McKinney, Elisa Miller, Robert Michael Morrissey, Bryan E. Norwood, Elizabeth H. Pleck, Leslie J. Reagan, Susan M. Rigdon, David Rosenboom, Katherine Skwarczek, Winton U. Solberg, Carol Spindel, William F. Tracy, and Joy Ann Williamson-Lott.