Carol Hand – författare

As the world population continues to rise, increasing dependency on fossil fuels, scientists are searching for alternative energy sources that cause less damage to the environment. Readers will learn all about the origin of energy, from the sun itself to the latest developments in laser fusion.

The science of genetics has been studied and applied for hundreds of years. The pioneering efforts of Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendel have led to many new discoveries, some that can even save lives. This informative and engaging book provides a basic introduction to the science, discoveries, and future of genetics.

On a spring day in 1935, a cloud of black, suffocating dust covered much of Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. It wasn''t the first of many such dust storms. The simple answer to how this happened is soil erosion. Your readers will explore the incredibly disgusting issue of soil erosion and contamination. They''ll learn what can be done in the future to keep our valuable soil safe and intact.

With the Occupy Wall Street movement still fresh in the minds of many across the nation, no part of the Constitution is more important to that cause than the Freedom of Assembly. This guide to that freedom takes a sweeping approach, going back to the dawn of democracy and the signing of the Magna Carta and then discussing how people are affected in modern times and with modern issues. It hits some of the most controversial moments and issues in a fact-filled format that still manages to be an entertaining read for any historian or modern activist.

Your great and silent beauty, the rugged and awesome land that speaks softly to all who love the splendor! God waved a mighty arm and made the great and rugged mountains, wild rivers, flowing streams, mirror lakes, lush valleys, and green forests. Wild animals to keep you on your toes! Alaska was waiting for all who needed a place of solace-for some, a place to heal the wounds of life. Some ask, why do you want to live there? What do you see in it? I came long ago, along with thousands more, up the old Alaska Highway. We all came with dreams of starting over, packing all we owned in trucks, trailers, old buses, cars or whatever had a good motor. I saw them in old trucks puffing smoke on every mountain or hill, smiling and waving every time we passed, thinking they would never make it; but they did make it. Most, camping in campgrounds along the way, cooking over campfires. If someone''s car was having problems, you stopped and helped-fighting mosquitoes that never left you alone. They were dauntless in their efforts. Upon arriving in Alaska, they were tired and weary, but they got their homesteads, home sites, trade and manufacturing sites. Yes, and a job if there was one to be had. The Bush people lived off the land and what it provided, both spiritually and earthly. Why do we live here in the Bush, you ask. Why? Well, there isn''t any other place like it! It is a challenge. You either love it or hate it. Alaska gets in your blood, they say, and if you stay too long you can never leave. If you do leave after having you in its grasps, it beckons you to come back. This is your home-there is no other place like it-waiting, still, silent, peaceful.

Times are tough for shrimpers and fishers in the Gulf of Mexico. The animals they rely on for their livelihood are harder to find. Every summer a dead zone—a region of low oxygen—emerges in the waters along the Gulf Coast. Where oxygen is low, fish and others animals cannot survive. Currently the world has more than 400 identified dead zones, up dramatically from the 49 dead zones identified in the 1960s. The good news is that people can eliminate dead zones by changing agricultural practices and reducing pollution. Using real-world examples, this book looks at the impact of pollution on global water resources, and discusses the interconnectedness of ecosystems and organisms.

School and community gardens are popping up around the United States, providing fresh produce even in the most crowded spaces in the country. So what exactly is a community or school garden, and why might it be a good idea? What does it take to start a garden, and how can you get involved?

From working with dogs to horses to elephants, there is a job out there for every person who loves working and being with animals. The careers featured in this volume don''t require a college education. Giving readers all the tools they need to begin a career working with animals, this book is filled with exciting and colorful animal photographs, informative sidebars, and information from individuals who work with animals in real life. It provides advice on resumes, cover letters, job searches, and experiencing a good interview.

While there are some Americans who are inclined to evaluate the moral, ethical, and medical legitimacy of abortion on a case-by-case basis, many others are strictly, unwaveringly pro-choice (favoring abortion rights) or pro-life (antiabortion). Over the last few decades, whether abortions should be legal at all—under any circumstances—has created a deep political rift across the United States. This book, which charts the shifts in interpretation of the U.S. Constitution on this matter, is a must-read for anyone hoping to understand where the nation and its laws have stood on the issue, its current state of play, and what the future of the abortion rights vs. right to life struggle may hold.

One of the most influential and well-known scientific minds of the past century, Jane Goodall rose to fame through her lifelong study of chimpanzees in Tanzania. This captivating volume, delving into her life and work, focuses on the writing of this great scientist: her findings, books on her studies, and even the work she has written for children. Readers can engage in this interesting biography while learning about potential scientific career pursuits, as well as the basic beauty of nature.

The heroic combat search and rescue work of the United States Air Force’s pararescue jumpers, or PJs, is something worth knowing about. After all, these courageous PJs are the first in line to find and rescue fallen soldiers and civilians in the most dangerous of war zones—often risking their own lives in the process. In these pages, the basic principles, history, and structure of American combat search and rescue teams is thoroughly covered, with particular focus on true stories of PJ rescue missions and the equipment, vehicles, and weapons they use.

STEM careers are one of the fastest growing job sectors globally today, and yet women are grossly underrepresented in STEM industries. This title seeks to break that trend, presenting young women who have a knack for technology with the various career options available in the tech sector. Four primary career sectors are addressed: communications, aerospace and defense, green technology, and biotechnology. Career essentials are also addressed—including job hunting, writing a solid résumé, mastering an interviewing, and networking—as are the challenges faced by women in the workforce (and how to overcome them!).

Working outdoors, getting exercise, playing games, and serving your community, all while earning a salary, what could be better? This comprehensive guide to the field of parks and recreation prepares readers for three individual career paths: recreation worker, park maintenance worker, and park ranger. It offers several "day-in-the-life" stories from these careers, stressing the great variation of jobs available in this career and the range of education, from high school diploma to graduate degrees, required for different jobs. Readers can also learn about education, job-hunting, and advancement, and a few part-time jobs that can help them break into the field.

A career in trash and recycling is often dirty, exhausting, and overlooked by many career seekers, but those who enjoy working hard and spending time outside might find this to be a rewarding career path to follow. This engaging guide allows readers to explore entry-level jobs in both trash and recycling, including collectors or drivers, landfill workers, recycling sorters, and more. It covers duties, required skills and education, and advancement possible in both fields, including positions in both management and science and technology to give readers the tools to turn a job into a career.

Immigration is one of the biggest issues facing the world today. In many areas of the world, significant numbers of immigrants and refugees attempt to leave their homes and make new homes in foreign countries. Not everyone is welcoming of these newcomers. Rifts between political parties expressing different points of view around this topic are dividing people more than ever. Written to engage high school students while also remaining accessible to those with lower reading level skills, this book will help enlighten young people about this divisive current issue.

The democratic process is one of the most iconic and important parts of American history and culture. However, there has long been controversy surrounding one particular aspect of that process: the Electoral College. Packed with easily digestible text, eye-catching graphic features, and engaging fact boxes, this book provides a primer on the Electoral College, how it works, and why some people argue it should be abolished and replaced with a popular voting process.

The field of cell biology is built on a foundation of discoveries stretching back to the earliest descriptions of cell theory in the 1800s. Today, our growing insight into cells and their control of life functions continues to generate advances in areas such as medicine, agriculture, genetics, and reproduction. This book traces the rise of cell biology and explains biological concepts through easy-to-follow text. Sidebars provide biographies of key scientists and descriptions of the evolution of microscopes and other significant technologies. Readers travel deep inside the cell, following the path of scientists as they unlock its mysteries.

Forest fires occur all over the world. Some are small, while others span across states and countries. This book explores the science behind forest fires: how they start, the damage they do, and ways to plan and prepare for the natural disaster. Through maps, photographs, and fast facts, readers will understand the workings of forest fires and their impact on the environment. They will likewise learn about ways fires are measured, where they happen, and what weather conditions are needed to create these powerful events.

Tornadoes are one of the deadliest and most frightening natural disasters. They roar through an area quickly, tearing a path of total destruction. What is the science behind them? This book explains what a tornado is, the meteorological conditions required for tornadoes to form, and what happens inside their swirling bodies. Using fun facts, maps, and vivid photographs, readers will learn about locations of tornadoes in the United States, including Tornado Alley, and ways of measuring a tornado''s strength. They will also explore ways to plan and prepare for a tornado, and how to determine the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. Readers will examine advancements in tornado-prediction technology, allowing them a better understanding the mechanics of one of the most destructive events on Earth.

From Viking raids to today''s constitutional monarchy, the far-northern European country of Norway has evolved into a prosperous, peaceful country in the 21st century. Through vivid photographs and an easy-to-read narrative, readers are given the tools to thoroughly explore Norway. They''ll survey the country''s history, government, and economy. Photographs of its striking scenery including fjords, snow-capped mountains, and glaciers will dazzle young explorers. This book presents the country''s impressive wildlife, including polar bears, musk oxen, and seabirds. Readers also learn about Norway''s modern cities, beautiful architecture, and its rich culture, including holidays, festivals, and lifestyles.

In the search for other habitable planets, perhaps the most fascinating question that has persistently captivated humans has been: is there life out there? Eschewing science fiction fantasies, this title looks at the hard research behind the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Theories, studies, and advances of exobiologists-scientists who study life in outer space-are presented, alongside more philosophical questions on the implications of life beyond Earth. Discussions of the definition of life, personhood, and the qualities of extremophiles (animals that survive under extreme conditions) bring this discussion to intriguing and unexpected places.