Excerpt from a longer article:

Synergy: Exploring Space Science

SPACE SCIENCE includes a broad range of disciplines from astronomy and astronautics to geology and life science. Space exploration is the study of everything from the upper atmosphere through the expanding universe.

To understand a concept, it’s useful to read a cluster of books related to a theme. Explore these recently published books for children:

SPACE ON EARTH: HOW THINKING LIKE AN ASTRONAUT CAN HELP SAVE THE PLANET written by Dave Williams and Linda Pruessen shares innovations designed for the International Space Station that have inspired sustainable solutions on Earth. Each of the five chapters focuses on a different type of inspiration including water, air, food, waste, and energy. The book’s conversational approach and use of compelling examples are likely to attract science readers. Illustrations by Sho Uehara bring the technological innovations to life through drawings, diagrams, and photographs. ARC courtesy of Annick Press. ( )

Review of eBook

Spaceship Earth. What do we need to ensure life continues on Earth?

Water Inspiration: Make Every Drop Count. Astronauts use rinse-less shampoo, bathe with wet washcloths, use edible toothpaste.
On Earth, turn off the water while brushing your teeth, have quick showers, wash full loads of laundry, use rainwater for the garden. Experiment by building a water purifier.

Air Inspiration: Keep It Clean. Astronauts create oxygen by electrolysis; they recycle air; portable fans help improve the air flow throughout the Space Station.
On Earth, pollution makes people . . . and the planet . . . sick. Plants help purify the air; plant a tree. Use energy efficiently: use fans, open the window. Experiment to see pollution.

Food Inspiration: Grow Your Own. Astronauts have dehydrated food on the Space Station, but they are also experimenting with growing food there.
On Earth, consider food footprints; try container gardening; visit the Farmer's Market; donate to food banks. Experiment with hydroponic gardening.

Waste Inspiration: Reduce and Reuse. Astronauts on the Space Station gather up trash and send it back to earth on a resupply spacecraft. The trash bags either burn up during re-entry or return to Earth with the spacecraft. Definitely not a sustainable system, so scientists are working on some new ideas that will recycle and reuse the trash.
On Earth, compactors help make trash piles smaller; recycling programs help repurpose trash; composting reduces waste. Experiment by making a recycling plan and turn plastic soda bottles into something new. What will you make?

Energy Inspiration: Say Goodbye to Fossil Fuels. Astronauts use solar arrays to create electricity; the Space Station gets all of its energy from the sun.
On Earth, explore renewables: solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass. Explore ways to store the energy captured by renewable energy sources. Turn off the lights; unplug electronics you aren’t using. Replace plastic and single-use paper items with their reusable counterparts. Wear your sneakers longer instead of getting new ones every year. Experiment to test the power of the sun.

The Future of Sustainability. Whether on the Space Station, in a space colony, or on planet Earth, sustainability will become more and more important.

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Teen readers in grades six and up, ages twelve and up, are the targeted audience for this book that takes a realistic look at sustainable solutions for the essentials of life, whether on the Space Station or on Earth. Essentials discussed include air, water, food, waste, and energy --- all supporting science and technology education.

Learn about life on the International Space Station, experiment, explore. Each chapter discusses a topic in detail, with a focus on its importance both to the International Space Station and to planet Earth. In each chapter, the author shares a tidbit about life aboard the Space Station, focusing on the particular topic under discussion. Each chapter also includes experiments that enhance understanding of the topic.

Also included are a glossary and a list of selected sources.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Annick Press Ltd., Annick Press and NetGalley
#SpaceonEarth #NetGalley ( )