Science and Health Books (middle to high school)

"The Strive to Thrive series is comprehensive enough that each section could be used over the course of several days to a week or in a few hours, depending on the students and the structure of the program." –Consumers Guide to Afterschool Science Resources

"Wet Your Whistle is an excellent and well-written book that addresses the issue of drinking water. Activities are used to illustrate the differences between bottled and tap water, filtration and hardness, and purification of surface water. Readings address the sources of drinking water, its importance to the body, and threats to drinking water supplies. The book is easy to read and is well illustrated. It should be a part of every biology teacher’s classroom." –NSTA Recommends

"Lather Up is an excellent and well-written book that addresses the issue of hand washing and its contribution to health. The book contains activities and readings related to hand washing techniques, surveys, how microbes act, and an extensive section on super germs and antibiotic resistance. Activities on making and using soap are presented. The book is easy to read and is well illustrated. It should be a part of every biology teacher’s classroom." –NSTA Recommends

"Breathing Room is an excellent and well-written book that addresses the issue of indoor air pollution. The book contains activities and readings related to locating air pollutants, the concept of parts per million, growing mold and the conditions it requires, radon gas, particulate and filters, and mystery illnesses. The book is easy to read and is well illustrated. This book should be a part of every biology teacher’s classroom." –NSTA Recommends

"More than Skin Deep is an excellent and well-written book that addresses the issue of ultraviolet radiation. It relates the effects of the sun on skin to genetics and skin coloration. Activities lead to better understanding of the use of sunscreen, polarization of sunglasses, and skin lightening. There are also readings and simulations of how to determine skin cancer risk. The book is easy to read and is well illustrated. It should be a part of every biology teacher’s classroom." –NSTA Recommends

"Rarely does a curriculum present itself with as many attributes as Terrific Science Press’s Camp and Club Science Source Book: Activity Set and Leader Planning Guide for Science Outside School Leader Guide. Though it is described as a guide for leaders contemplating initiating a health based informal science experience, it actually supplements the information about start-up with research practices and sample lessons that this reviewer found to be sufficient to prepare for even a formal life science unit." –Science Afterschool Consumers Guide

"What's That Smell?: The Science Behind Adolescent Odors presents simple classroom science experiments involving odors which are especially appropriate for inquisitive students grades 7 to 12 and range from exploring such phenomena as our diverse body odors, to how fragrances cover up odors, to how search and rescue dogs track odors, and more. In full accordance and compliance with National Science Education Standards, the step-by-step instructions for conducting educational experiments are enhanced with practical tips, a wealth of background information, and more. What s That Smell? is a scholastically excellent and enthusiastically recommended supplement for crafting a science curriculum for a traditional classroom or a home schooling science education program." --Internet Bookwatch, Volume 13, Number 10