© iClipart
Read the definitions of scientists below. Then label
each numbered question with the first letter of the
kind of scientist who could best answer it.
p r e s e n t e d b y Science a-z a d i v i s i o n o f L e a r n i n g A - Z
Astronomer: a scientist who studies the universe
Biologist: a scientist who studies plants and animals
Geologist: a scientist who studies rocks, land, and
Earth’s history
Meteorologist: a scientist who studies weather
Oceanographer: a scientist who studies the oceans
By Ron Fridell
© Jupiterimages Corp.
© Jupiterimages Corp.
© iClipart
1. What makes riptides dangerous
for swimmers? __
2. How do hurricanes get started? __
3. How old is our planet? __
4. How can you tell when a volcano
is about to erupt? __
5. What is the difference between
a tidal wave and a tsunami? __
6. Was there ever life on Mars? __
7. What is the difference between
a spider and an insect? __
8. Why do we have different seasons? __
9. Why is Pluto not a planet anymore? __
10. Why are so many plants green? __
© Jupiterimages Corp.
Matching
A poll shows that many
Americans do not know
much about science. How
can we learn more about
how science works and why
it’s so important in our lives?
We can join in a science
celebration!
© Eric Isselee/
BigStockPhoto.com
This celebration is called
the Year of Science 2009
(YoS09). It runs all
year long, and it’s
happening right
now all across
the world.
For example, scientists are
visiting schools to talk
about their work. And
museums are offering
close looks at bearded
dragons, boa constrictors,
and other unusual animals.
© Alex Bramwell/
BigStockPhoto.com
See Year of Science on page 2
© Learning A–Z, Inc. All rights reserved.
4
www.sciencea-z.com
1
Year of Science
Write About This!
Galileo Galilei
Johannes Kepler
These two scientists helped
us understand more about
the planets and stars.
© Jupiterimages Corp.
For information on YoS09
events in your area, visit www.
yearofscience2009.org/
calendar/events/. To find out
how you and your school can
join in the celebration, visit
www.yearofscience2009.org.
Charles Darwin
© iStockphoto.com/
George Argyropoulos
© Learning A–Z, Inc. All rights reserved.
2
© iStockphoto.com/Bernhard Richter
Charles Darwin looked at all kinds
of unusual animals in his work.
He also cooked and ate some
of them. His favorite was agouti
(uh-GOO-tee). That’s a rodent the
size of a rabbit. Darwin called it
“the very best meat I ever tasted.”
Take a look around. If you’re inside, don’t forget to look
out a window. Write a list of items you see that scientists
helped make, such as a computer. Also list things they have
explained, such as why the sky looks blue. Now write about
why you think science is important in your life. Use your
list to help you.
DRAW A super scientist
Think about how scientists do
their work and the tools they
use. Make notes on your thoughts.
Now ask yourself: What would a
Super Scientist look like? What
super powers would your scientist
need to have? Draw your idea
of a Super Scientist.
Write labels with
arrows to identify
her or his powers.
Use your notes to
S
help you.
© iStockphoto.com/Jo
aquin Cro
3
xatto
www.sciencea-z.com
rimages Corp.
© Jupiterimages Corp.
Courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
This year is a good one to
celebrate science. A scientist
who made some important
discoveries about animals
and plants was born 200
years ago this February. That
was Charles Darwin. This
year also marks important
dates in the lives of Galileo
Galilei and Johannes Kepler.
© Jupite
Continued from page 1