SCIENCE STORIES
(excerpts from posts)
(If you want to retell any of the stories listed below, be sure to obtain permission from the copyright holder if the material is not in the public domain)

1) MARVELS OF SCIENCE: 50 Fascinating 5-Minute Reads by Kendall Haven.
Written by a research-scientist-turned-storyteller, this collection of 50 short reads is packed with intrigue, drama, mystery, risk, tragedy, and triumph. The author focuses on the characters, events, and moments of genius that comprise the story of science. Ideal for both read-alouds and reading assignments, tales, such as Funny Rubber (the story of how silly putty was invented) and Circles of the Sun (the story of Nicolaus Copernicus and astronomy in 1499), take just minutes to read but amply illustrate scientific principles and the evolution of science through history. Discussion questions and additional references correlate the story with elements of the science curriculum and provide direction for students to pursue their own discoveries. Stories are cross-indexed by year of occurrence and by scientist. A great addition to the library collection and a wonderful resource for library media specialists, teachers, substitute teachers, students, and storytellers. Grades 3 and Up. Kendall Haven is an author and a research scientist-turned-storyteller based in Santa Rosa, California.
1994 xxii, 238p. paper
ISBN 1-56308-159-8
$20.00 ($24.00f)

2) Day of the Moon Shadow: Tales With Ancient Answers to Scientific Questions
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1563084090/o/qid=967426074/sr=8-1/ref=a

3) Science Fair projects:
http://www.ipl.org/youth/projectguide/

4) For anyone looking for a great scientist story, there is Dr. Sylvia Earle, an American hero deserving of as much celebration as our NASA astronauts, but who is relatively unknown. From a National Wildlife magazine bio, Sylvia Earle's Excellent Adventure.

5) Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson, Crown Publishers 1990 ISBN 0-609-60233-0)
A historical novel based on the life of Isaac Cline, meteorologist at Galveston during the 1900 Storm, most fatal hurricane ever in the USA. It's full of little anecdotes about meteorological history.

6) The Kid Who Invented the Popsicle, and Other Surprising Stories About Inventions, by Don L. Wulffson. (Cobblehill Books 1997)
ISBN: 0-525-65221-3
Each of the 100+ inventions gets one page, so the stories are quite short, memorable, easy-to-learn.

7) Insect Man by Eleanor Doorly, Penguin 1936. It's a children's book, containing some excerpts from Souvenirs Entomologique by Jean Henri Fabre (1823-1915).
Fabre link:

8) There are a couple of autobiographical books by the late great scientist Richard Feynmann. One of them is called Surely You're Joking, Mr Feynmann? These are hysterically funny, informative, explanatory, and very entertaining as even a light, casual read. Feynmann was delightful, playful, mischievous, as well as being a world class research scientist.

9) Figures, Facts & Fables; Telling Tales in Science and Math by Barbara Lipke Heinemann, 1996
ISBN 0-435-07105-x

10) There's Michael Caduto and Joseph Bruchac's Keepers of the Earth; Native American Stories and Environmental Activities for Children. Fulcrum, 1988. LOTS of science connections in this one!
ISBN 1-55591-027-0

11) Using Stories to Teach Science and Math. It contains several articles within that section by Jennie Nash, Joan Leotta, Gail de Vos, and Suzanne Martin, so it's a fairly good overview of the topic. The book is from when NSN was the National Storytelling Association, & they're officially the author of Tales as Tools: The Power of Story in the Classroom from National Storytelling Press (NSA), 1994.
ISBN 1-879991-16-0.

12) That's Weird! Awesome Science Mysteries by Kendall F. Haven, Jason Lynch (Illustrator)
List Price: $19.95
Kendall Haven, the only West Point graduate and working scientist in the United States to become a full-time storyteller, has performed for more than 3 million people. He has published more than 35 stories on audiotape and has more than 200 stories in book form. He lives and writes in northern California.

13) Here's a fun one to check out:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/science/sciencesbook.html

14) A fascinating science/history stories is that of Isaac Cline, the meteorologist on duty in Galveston in 1900 when the USA's most deadly storm ever struck that coastal city. There are many books and resources on the topic, but a very good one is Isaac's Storm by Eric Larsen.

15) There's one at the library called Science and Stories: Integrating Science and Stories, by Hilarie N. Staton. (GoodyYear Books, 1994, ISBN 0673360830). According to the description: "Here's a surefire way to spark interest in both reading and science. The authors provide reading strategies and activities for 24 popular children's books you can use to teach primary-level science. Activities covering oral language, writing, and cooperative learning apply the science concepts." This might be a good resource for her to use to select titles.

(This web page updated 8/10/03)