The Language of Science Writing
...Because Sometimes It IS Rocket Science
Ready to experiment with scientific terms and concepts? Investigate our collection of science writing and learn the vocabulary you’ll need to understand bestselling books about the origins of the universe, space exploration, infectious diseases, ecology, and much more.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta LacksThis biography immortalizes a woman whose cancerous cells contributed to medical breakthroughs around the world.
Hidden FiguresThe American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space RaceA group of extraordinarily talented African-American women help NASA achieve some of its greatest successes, even as they face discrimination and oppression.
First Man: The Life of Neil A. ArmstrongThis biography explores the life and legacy of the first astronaut to walk on the moon.
CosmosIn this engaging and accessible book, scientist Carl Sagan explores fourteen billion years of cosmic history and evolution.
On the Origin of SpeciesDarwin's groundbreaking and influential treatise on natural selection is a foundational text of evolutionary biology. Read the full text here.
A Brief History of TimeIn this groundbreaking book, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking attempts to answer some of the most formidable questions about the universe.
Big ScienceErnest Lawrence and the Invention that Launched the Military-Industrial ComplexIn the late 1920s, physicist Ernest Lawrence invented the cyclotron and ushered in a new era of industrial-scale scientific research.
World Without FishIn this book, Mark Kurlansky explores threats to the world's oceans and fish populations and describes ways that young people can support sustainable fishing.
Flying to the MoonAn Astronaut's StoryAstronaut Michael Collins was part of Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing. In this autobiography, he recounts his early days as an Air Force pilot and his journey into space.
The Double HelixA Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNAFrancis Crick and James Watson changed the world forever—and won a Nobel Prize—when they uncovered the structure of DNA. In this memoir, Watson reveals the story behind their discovery.
The Hot ZoneThe Terrifying True Story of the Origins of the Ebola VirusIn this riveting nonfiction account, Richard Preston traces the emergence and spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
My Life with the ChimpanzeesIn this memoir, primatologist Jane Goodall recounts her childhood love of animals and her work with chimpanzees in Africa.
Silent SpringThis groundbreaking book, published in the early 1960s, investigated the devastating effects of chemical pesticides on the environment. Carson's work is credited with helping to create the Environmental Protection Agency.
The GeneAn Intimate HistoryIn this engaging work of nonfiction, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Siddhartha Mukherjee delves into genetics, tracing how our scientific understanding of genes and heredity has changed over time.
Women in Space23 Stories of First Flights, Scientific Missions, and Gravity-Breaking AdventuresThis collection profiles astronauts from around the world, including Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, and Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.
The Big ThirstThe Secret Life and Turbulent Future of WaterJournalist Charles Fishman explores humanity's need for and use of water — and the threat of water scarcity.
Tracking TrashFlotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean MotionThis installment of the Scientists in the Field series explores how trash circulates and accumulates in the world's oceans.
SapiensA Brief History of HumankindDrawing on both historical and scientific research, this book traces the evolution of human beings over tens of thousands of years.
The Girl Who Drew ButterfliesHow Maria Merian's Art Changed ScienceThis biography, which won the Robert F. Sibert Medal, recounts the life of Maria Merian, a naturalist who studied insects.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a HatAnd Other Clinical TalesIn this classic collection of "clinical tales," neurologist Oliver Sacks explores a range of neurological conditions and phenomena.
Eyes Wide OpenGoing Behind the Environmental HeadlinesThis nonfiction book explores the causes and consequences of climate change and damage to the environment.
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