Reviewed by Ralph Peterson
Author William C. Robertson explains scientific topics in a way that just about anyone can understand. His illustrations are colorful, entertaining, and informative. Teachers will enjoy his text for both professional background and personal pleasure. Robertson's down-to-Earth manner is appealing, and the math in the book has been reduced to the simplest terms. This makes it much easier to understand the science concepts from a mathematical perspective, something both students and teachers will appreciate.
The book was written to help teachers better explain scientific concepts without relying on the usual jargon of the highly trained scientific world, words that our students never seem to remember once they leave the classroom. It is divided into sections to make reading easier. Even as a science teacher of over 30 years, I found new insights in Robertson’s explanations of various aspects of science. The illustrations really helped with concepts that students often find difficult. I plan to use this book as a reference for the rest of my teaching career.
There were some sections with which I might disagree. In one, the author seems to imply that scientists don’t think that evolution is a strong theory, and in another he quotes Arnold Arons talking about important questions, one of which is, “Why we believe.” We do not believe in science, we think. Belief is faith based. Thinking is evidence based. That being said, I felt the rest of the book was excellent and would be happy to recommend it to all science teachers.
Review posted on 11/23/2009
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