A Student's Guide to Earth Science

This four-volume set presents an overview of earth science from the earliest observations of ancient peoples to discoveries of today's scientists. Earth science includes astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography. The first volume, Words and Terms, defines important words in these sciences. The contributions made by such scientists as Galileo, Sir Edmund Hailey, and Florence Bascom are described in the second volume Important People, which highlights contributions made by women and minority groups to a traditionally male profession. Developments and Discoveries, the third volume, traces the history and development of this science, and the fourth, Debatable Issues, presents the most hotly debated topics today, such as space exploration and global warming.

Volume 1: Words and Terms

Volume 2: Important People

Volume 3: Developments and Discoveries

Volume 4: Debatable Issues

Grades 6-8

This set furnishes basic information pertinent to the study of earth science. Volume 1, Words and Terms, presents more than 140 words and terms in three ways: definition (term meaning), sentence (term used in a sentence to provide context clues), and connection (historical or technical relationship of term to field of earth science). Should some prominent scientist be relevant to the term, a minibiographical sketch is also included. Numerous charts, maps, and graphs assist with visual explanation. In volume 2, Important People, 26 significant individuals--all men--are examined in biographies of two to five pages. Separate sections present briefer biographies of "Women Astronomers" (three) and "Women and Minorities in Earth Science" (three men and three women). Volume 3, Developments and Discoveries, probes in a short overview the history of the earth sciences, astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography with coverage of those who made discoveries and how these discoveries relate to our world today. Volume 4, Debatable Issues, promotes critical thinking skills with nine current controversial topics, such as "Should Radioactive Waste Be Buried for Safekeeping?" and "Do Greenhouse Gases Cause Global Warming?" Each volume includes a glossary of terms, a cumulative index of the set, and a time line beginning with the Chinese record of the earliest comet sighting in 2296 B.C.E and concluding with the discovery of a large planet in the constellation Puppis in 2003. Also noteworthy is a bibliography of books and Web sites. All materials listed are currently available or operational and provide a great springboard for more in-depth research. Black-and-white photographs are incorporated in all volumes.

Judged by the simple sentence structure and the use of pronunciation guides with key terms, this source would be best utilized in an upper-elementary (grades five and six) and a grades five through eight middle school where introductory-level earth science classes are taught. The value for the price merits consideration. cheryl ward
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