Asteroid Hunters

Exploring an asteroid could be a challenge. Being an asteroid hunter takes on new meaning as the book connects the job and the adventures offered here through the use of real time photos and the most current science information available!

As the importance of S.T.E.M. education comes to the forefront of classrooms everywhere, it becomes increasingly necessary for teachers everywhere to bring their classroom libraries up to speed! The Get to Work with Science and Technology series of books does just that. From learning about being a veterinarian in a zoo to the engineering of a space robot, these books bring students into the world of the latest and most exciting career choices of the 21st Century!

Each book provides over 30 pages of color infused photographs and images that attract the students and draw them to the text. The boldface, current vocabulary enhances the understanding of each topic in a way that encourages students to add it to their daily conversation! Essential and compelling facts are contained throughout the book in circles that standout and remind the reader of their importance to the topic. Each book contains a kid–friendly glossary and a project idea that will allow students to take on the job being highlighted. As teachers look for new resources to focus their students on the newest and most innovative career choices, this series should be at the top of their lists!

Firsthand accounts from professionals in the field, dramatic situations that require problem-solving, and fascinating facts are at the heart of this engrossing series. These high-interest occupations will appeal to a wide audience, especially those students interested in pursuing a STEM-related career. Real-life scientists who use technology, analysis, and critical thinking to solve problems demonstrate on a larger scale the same techniques that students are learning in the classroom. Interesting details abound, and kids will be eager to learn more strange but true tidbits. (How do vets trim an elephant’s toenails? With saws and power sanders, of course.) Striking photos are complemented by geometric sidebars, and the white-print-on-black-background is fresh and sharp. VERDICT Readers will flock to this fun and informational series.

In 2004, astronomers discovered a huge asteroid predicted to collide with Earth in fewer than 30 years. That discovery forms the backbone of this installment in the Get to Work with Science and Technology series, which follows agencies and scientists who study asteroids and attempt to predict their orbits in an effort to avoid large-scale destruction. Owen follows the team of astronomers as they gather data from other observatories to confirm the asteroid’s predicted orbit and discover, thankfully, that its trajectory will be a near miss. Each two-page spread includes plenty of eye-catching full-color photos of space, telescopes, and renderings of asteroids, while inset boxes provide specific stats and other helpful info. A closing section provides an activity to observe craters and specific tips on how to pursue a career in asteroid hunting.