Washburne, Sophie

Briefly explores the origins and history of the automobile and the environmental problems automobiles and their construction can cause, highlighting and celebrating electric cars and newer vehicles with more environmentally friendly designs and mechanics. Includes photographs and a glossary.

"Thermostats that adjust themselves, refrigerators that notify their owners when the food inside them is about to expire, a robotic assistant that can set alarms and answer almost any question--all of these things would have seemed impossible only a few decades ago. However, thanks to rapidly advancing technological developments, these and more are available to the average citizen. As technology becomes increasingly incorporated in everyday objects, knowing how to use it is becoming a crucial skill"--Provided by publisher.

Car manufacturers have learned to be versatile over the years. Some cars are designed for safety and comfort. Others are designed for speed. Car enthusiasts can spend hours hotly debating the best designs. Environmental concerns also affect a car's design, especially when it comes to the engine. This volume looks at some of the most iconic and interesting cars from the inside out. A glossary of new terms gives readers a better grasp of the subject matter, and full-color photographs chronicle the history of car design, from simple motorized carts to sleek racing cars.

"Social media has undeniably changed the world. While people disagree about whether this change is mostly good or mostly bad, it's clear that it will continue to influence our lives. This is why it's imperative to give children an introduction to this new, influential form of social connection long before they're old enough to make their first social media account"--Provided by publisher.

The Wright brothers are well known for building the first successful airplane. However, they were neither the first nor the last to design an aircraft. Early designs looked very different than the planes we have today, but engineers from 1903 onward have generally tried to improve on the existing plane design rather than reinventing it. This volume looks at the successes and failures of airplane design, from the ancient Egyptian Saqqara bird to the hypersonic planes of the future. Engaging sidebars augment the informative main text, and graphic organizers help visual learners understand the mechanics of flight.

In-depth sidebars help readers connect these events to their own lives by examining how the American Revolution is presented in pop culture, and by exploring what the historical sites mentioned are like today.

Now that laws promoting racial equality exist, some people argue that racism as a whole has been eradicated despite evidence to the contrary; highly publicized racist incidents are generally dismissed as the exception rather than the rule. Readers discover that this mindset ignores covert, or hidden, racism, which often deals with hurtful generalizations.

Explores the pros and cons of children receiving a monetary allowance.

"Scientists have long warned that using fossil fuels to heat homes, power vehicles, and keep appliances running has negative effects on the environment, but there are many economic and social issues to consider when switching to alternative energy sources. Readers discover the debates surrounding various forms of alternative energy, the barriers that must be overcome in order to adopt them, and the benefits they can provide"--Provided by publisher.

Explains how body farms are used to help forensic anthropologists and scientists better understand how the human body decomposes in various conditions. Includes photographs of bodies in different stages of decomposition.