In today’s uncertain world, science and technology are more important than ever. Climate change, pandemics, food security and sustainable energy are just some of the global challenges crying out for a new generation of bold scientific thinkers.
But how do we prepare our kids for the challenges of tomorrow? One way is to teach them to be flexible, critical and creative, with open eyes and curiosity about the world. In short, we need to inspire them to see the problems they face as challenges that can be solved through lifelong learning and creative collaboration.
If you’re looking for a book to inspire a young scientist, engineer or computer programmer, look no further. We’ve got you covered – with non-fiction titles that cover everything from coding to astrophysics, kid-friendly biographies of inspirational real-life scientists, and awesome science-themed fiction titles to show that science can be an adventure.
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Train Your Brain: Think Like a Coder - Alex Woolf, David Broadbent
Children’s brains are powerful and flexible, but they need to be exercised and challenged to develop. With this book, they will uncover the core skills that make a good coder great, and be encouraged to have a go at some simple activities to help them train their brain to become better at applying outstanding coding practice. Ideal for students aged 8+ who are interested in learning how to code.
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Perfectly Weird, Perfectly You: A Scientific Guide to Growing Up - Camilla Pang
As a child, Camilla Pang loved patterns and putting things in order. She was obsessed with Stephen Hawking. And the only language she really understood was science. Diagnosed with autism at the age of 8, Camilla saw the world very differently. Today, Camilla is a scientist and an award-winning author, and she is here to share her scientific survival guide with you – and show you how to find your feet, discover your quirks, and grow up perfectly weird, perfectly you.
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The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature - Sami Bayly
Discover 60 of the most peculiar pairs in nature and learn how plant and animal species rely on each other for their survival. Whether it be a rare tick living in the fur of a pygmy possum, a stick insect feasting and hiding out amongst the Melaleuca or a handfish laying its eggs on a sea squirt, incredible natural relationships deserve to be explored and celebrated. Investigating all types of relationships, from symbiotic to parasitic, this is an eye-opening guide to the natural world.
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Boss Ladies of Science - Phillip Marsden
Every boss lady was once a little kid with a huge dream. Let their trials and triumphs inspire you to work hard at what you love, and to believe in yourself, no matter whether you fail or succeed. From the fields of astronomy and quantum physics to neuroscience, vaccinology and primatology, the boss ladies in this book answer big questions and invent grand solutions. An illustrated celebration of inspiring and empowered female scientists from around the world.
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A-Z of Endangered Animals - Jennifer Cossins
On this journey through the alphabet, you will encounter some of the world’s most beautiful, rare and endangered animals, from the majestic Amur tiger and the curious kakapo, to the misunderstood Tasmanian devil and the shy zebra duiker. This beautifully illustrated full-colour picture book is packed with interesting facts and is perfect for young conservationists and students with a keen interest in the world around us.
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So Many Questions: About Robots - Sally Spray, Mark Ruffle
So Many Questions is a series of books for inquisitive children aged 7 . Following the curiosity of different characters, each book is filled with questions and answers to prompt thinking and build knowledge. This book takes a fun, lively and stylish look at the world of robots, for children to build their knowledge of technology and science.
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Super Smart Science: Astrophysics Made Easy - Alistair Butcher
Welcome to the wonderful world of physics! The Super Smart Science series takes highly complex physics concepts and explains them in clear and straightforward ways through the use of relatable everyday examples. Clear designs and illustrations combined with easy-to-understand text introduce concepts like subatomic particles, light as a wave and particle, and other scientific discoveries. Perfect for science-mad kids aged 11 and those with the curiosity to delve deeper into the world of science.
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A Scientist Like Me - Shini Somara, Nadja Sarell
Discover why ice cream melts and leaves turn red in this brilliant picture book designed to unlock a love of science. With pages encouraging kids to try out their very own science experiments such as germinating seeds and writing with invisible ink, this brilliant picture book written by scientist and TV presenter Dr Shini Somara unlocks a love of science and celebrates women in STEM.
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Swarm Rising - Tim Peake, Steve Cole
Best friends Danny & Jameela need all their science smarts – and some cool tech – when Danny is kidnapped by an alien! Adi says she’s protecting the human race from the Swarm, a super advanced race of digital beings. Can they stop the Swarm Agents destroying the human race as we know it? This exciting action-adventure is the first children’s book from astronaut Tim Peake and bestselling author Steve Cole, and is based on space-age science and technology.
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Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Shadows - Denis Knight, Cristy Burne
Wednesday Weeks never wanted to be a sorcerer’s apprentice. She’d rather study science than magic. But when her cloak-wearing, staff-wielding grandpa is captured by a power-hungry goblin king, Wednesday must find a way to embrace her magical heritage and rescue him from the dreaded Tower of Shadows.
Book 1 of a seriously smart and funny new series which asks the question: In a world of magic, can science save the day?