Promotions - Choice's Outstanding Academic Titles 2019 - Science & Technology — Biology — Environmental Studies

Rudolph is a former high school science teacher and an educational policy and science and technology studies professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; he brings both theoretical and practical expertise to How We Teach Science. In 10 succinct, thematic chapters, he covers the history and societal goals of teaching science in the US and, in the process, delves into why science is taught--particularly to secondary students--the way it is today. He offers insight into science education's gradual transition from the laboratory method of the late 19th century to the current Next Generation Science Standards, adopted in 2012. Each method or philosophy, Rudolph explains, is rooted in the educational goals of the times, from improving rational thought to economic development. Importantly, Rudolph also examines how these methods have variously failed to contribute to scientific literacy and how educators and reformers might move forward in the future. This is an invaluable resource for any library serving science education programs.Summing Up: Essential. All levels.

Study of the sciences of consciousness is on the rise. Massimini (neurophysiology, Univ. of Milan, Italy) and Tononi (psychiatry, Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison) are experts in the field, and in this volume they offer an engaging, clearly written presentation of a cutting-edge approach to the study of consciousness: the integrated information theory (IIT) of consciousness. Though the authors have presented IIT in numerous other works, none has been as straightforward and understandable as this book. Writing in a relaxed prose, the authors take a variety of stances, for example, that of a medical student handling her/his first human brain, without forfeiting scientific rigor (i.e., they provide references to more technical works). The book examines the uniqueness of consciousness as a scientific topic, explains the principles of IIT, and applies IIT in examining such things as why consciousness is associated with brains but not with other organs, why certain parts of the brain underlie consciousness, and ways to assess or infer consciousness in humans and other creatures. Those who wish to learn about the current state of neuroscientific work on consciousness would be hard-pressed to find a better introduction than this one.Summing Up: Essential. All readers.

These essays can be provocative, incisive, or just liberal musings, but no matter how readers interpret them, they are timely and worthy of inclusion in the current discourse. Some essays run long, so the best way to read this work is to start with the chapter that is this work's namesake, "The Death Algorithm," which will satisfy the immediate curiosity that creates the draw to the work. Then pick a chapter and learn about cell phone zombies, the social effects of the sharing economy, cannibalism and new media, and why Mark Zuckerberg is the anti-Donald Trump. Prior familiarity with some of the topics will make it easier for readers to grasp the underlying humor inserted into the discussions. The essays are well researched and at times come across with a one-sided political philosophy, which once set aside reveals discussions on algorithmic control, the regulation of artificial intelligence, and society's need for greater information literacy and media education. As society continues to let technology make decisions based on algorithms, these discussions show there will still be a need for human intermediaries.Summing Up: Highly recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty and professionals; general readers.

Scott (emer., psychology, San Diego State Univ.) strikes a good balance between breadth and depth in this entertaining tour of science. Nonscholarly audiences will find much to ponder in each chapter. One might imagine this narrative as taking a "powers of 10" approach because the book is organized primarily by scale rather than by chronology or discipline. The tour begins with elementary particles before moving up to atoms and molecules. After an intermission on gravity, time, and light, readers move on to Earth, the solar system, and the rest of the universe. Physics, astronomy, and Earth sciences are the primary source fields. Exceptional figures in science are introduced along the way, among them many who deserve more recognition, such as Claire Patterson. Likewise, lives of the more recognizable names are illustrated with episodes not often found in popular accounts. Many chapters include simple experiments readers can conduct at home, and here also, Scott has chosen from outside the standard repertoire. Many projects will be new even to science teachers. An excellent work for readers of all levels.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readers.